Newark post., 1911-11-15

The title of this article will prob
ably surprise many reader. we
are all of us so proud OF our little
Newark. so enchanted over its nu-
merous charms that it seldom oc-
ours to any one that there may be
some features lacking to 1t, espec-
iallv on it's intellectual side. When
our citizens gather together to DIS
cuss the needs Of the town. the
questions Of material improve
ments. street pavements, sewer,
light. etc, are the constant topics
Of discussion. The intellectual
needs are not even alluded to, IL
being naturally assumed that III
that respect Newark IS the most
fortunate town of the State. For
in truth. what other town OF tnat
size or even larger one, can PRIDE
itself of having a college, an ex-
pertinent station, four churches,
two libraries. Century Club, a
system of free schools, ETC.! IN
need. Newark is the Athens OF Del
aware. and the college the Far,
tbenon of Athens, the temple OF
Minerva. and from its portlcos may
be seen every day, scholars. men
of science, young students, all wor-
sinners of the goddess OF wisdom,
and bringing to its altar the best
of their time, energies and abln-
ties. That such sight IS enough
to instill pride in any OF It's on
lockers. is thing easily conceived;
However. after a first moment OF
generous enthusiasm one IS Justl-
fed in raising the question, OF how
far do these bright lights SHINING
wonder. help to illuminate the
hooks and corners Of our little COM
munity life? Or to put the
question in the face Of the real con-
ditions. is the social life OF Newark
benefited in proportion to the IN
tellectual advantages which 1t pos
sesses9 To have a long list OF IN
stitutions is indeed to have so many
stars set on our local banner. But
we must not forget that human
stars. unlike the celestial ones, do
not shine to everybody alike. 1t IS
only as we approach those sources
of light. and utilize their rays as
search lights into our own beings 10
examine and know ourselves, that
we become cognizant Of their eX-
istence and meaning. For we know
that institutions Of learning have
been established over 1000 years
ago to realize the teaching OF that
Socratic injunction know thy
SELF for the truth of which the
proclaimer had to yield up his life.
Ara indeed, 1000 years have not
been too long for us to understand
the true democratic meaning OF
that injunction, and also that other
Socrstic statement that an uneX-
amined life is one not fit to be led
by men.
In ancient times, Of course, the
conception and the facilities for the
dissemination of knowledge were
lust the reverse Of what it is today.
Learning was then a privilege OF
but few fortunate individuals.
3 Greek myths represent their gods
as seated on the high Olympus, sur
rounded by that celestial and in
tellectual atmosphere which only
the gods could breathe, and discuss
ing the secrets Of the worlds des.
TIMES into which no mortal could
-,enetrate. And this finds its re-
lection in their social and meta
Dhvsical views. Plato, the socla!
reformer, finds it necessary to make
of the philosophers class by them
selves, superior to the rest OF man
kind. forming the Olympic circle
on this earth. Aristotle, the meta.
physician, goes even further. TIC
not only admits the subordlnatlon
of the inferior to the superior class
but even finds reason for the Justi
fication of slavery.
But with the advance OF democ
racy, the development OF commerce
and industry these notions have
been exploded. The aristocracy 0:
knowledge as that Of wealth ant
all other acquired goods lis NJ
longer the monopoly Of the few, bu
at the reach Of all those who car
to extend their hands to get it. In
barriers between the classes hav
been broken, the gods have de
scended from their Olympus t
make their dwelling among tn
mortals. Philosophers have cease
to be class by themselves. the
have mingled with the rest OF mar
kind: and. what is more gratifying