The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-05-13
YANDYKE KESTAYSATPRlNC
WILL RESUME WORK As PRO.
FESSOR or LITERATURE.

FESSOR or kITERATCRE.
In wuhdra Ing Resignation He speaks n
Presidency Rumor and says Hes
Glad the College Is Not to he
"Distracted ny fractional Rivairies."
PRINCETON. May i2.-Acceding to the
request Of the trustees and students OF
Princeton University. Henry van Dyke
has withdrawn his resignation from the
Murray professorship Of English. The
announcement that Dr. van Dixie had
recorsidered his decision to sever his
connection with Princeton was made by
him to-day when he gave out letter Of
recent date written to the committee OF
the trustees appointed to confer with
him. tn" letter. which was reply to the
committees request for reconsideration.
makes it plain hat the causes Of DR.. van
Dykes resignation have been removed.
Although at the time of his resignation
DR.. van Dixie made no public statement
regarding his reasons for severing his
connection with Princeton it is evident
that it was caused M. his conviction that
the fac'ional host'lities among the faculty
caused hv last years graduate college
dispute had not vet eubsided.
The last letter Of the committee Of the
trustees states that il is their desire that
Princeton shall suffer no distractions"
in her academic efforts.
Dr. van Dykes resignation was pre-
sented TO the board of trustees on January
~ and was not accepted. About that time
committee representing the under
graduates called upon DR.. van Dyke,
requesting him To stay AZ Princeton. DR.
van Dyke "a = tha. their influence was
one of the strongest in helping him make
his decision. A. n meeting OF ,hc board
of trustees on April i3 Dr. van Dykes
resignation was again laid uron the table
to give the committee Of the trustees
further opportun.,,' to confer with him.
On April 20 he received the following:
! The committee appointed bv the board
| OF trustees 10 confer with you regarding
your resi- iSnation earnestly nsk you to with
draw II. We do this not only on account
Of our personal affections for you but also
! in the interest Of Princeton.
We have the ighest appreciation Of the
BENEFITS YOU have conferred upon the uni
versity during the twelve years in which
YOU have held the chair OF En- glish literature
and We should view your leaving Princet on
WIN Wv kFcd'eSt TegTels lou nave Deen
of the highest service not only as a lee
turer and teacher but as u wise and SYM
! pathetic adviser to genera, ions Of Princet on
men and "A warm personal friend to their
elders
We sincerely deprecate the rumors Of
which Won spoke that Won have been seek
ing the presidency OF Prin, eton niyersity.
knowing that they are entirely false and
uuwarranted. and We trust that you may
IL, 81. -
We assure you that the false position OF
which you complain no longer exists and
that we desire the benen' Of your counsel
and experience more than ever.
| II is our desire and purpose that Prince
ton. holding fast to her traditions OF rcEu-
lated collegiate course. shall give herself
| without dist racton to the three specific
tasks which are before her. the maintenance
and development of the new curriculum.
of the preceptorial system and of the
graduate college.
Trusting that you will give the matter
your serious consideration and that you
will decide 70 remain with us. we are your.
very sincerely. NJ. TAYLOR PYNF,
{. n. DopGE,
j NJ. 7. FINNEv
In reply 20 this DR. van Dyke sent the
following letter withdrawing his resis.
nation:
Ycur esteemed favor Ia duly received.
| I thank YOU for your references TO my worl
as a teacher Of reading. II has always
been a pleasant work to do. Its reward
has been a happy fellowship with twelv.
successive cla.sas Of Princeton men lf
have rendered them any service ! am sin
cerely glad.
II Is gratifying to note that you recog
nize that the perennial r,mors OF my seek
ing he presidency of your body are "en,irel,
false and unwarranted. | do not know
where they originated. But your fran,
disavowal now should lay them to rest anc
relieve me from the recurreut annoyanc.
Of being considered as a candidate for ar
office contrary to my desires and altoset he
ont of my line. The prospect Of this relic
is welcome.
The last subject touched by your iette
is the most important. The reasons fo
my resignation have never been concealed
nor personal. They have to do with IN,
spirit and policy of Princet on for the future
Regarding peace and work "a essential Il
the life Of the university I have venturec
in the course of these long conference,
which you have invited to put a certain
persistent question. Your last paragraph
is in reply TO this quest ion.
| II ] understand you rightly the phrase
without distraction" is meant to expires.
your wish and intention that Princet OF
shall not he distracted by factionai rivalrie
and conflicts. You purpose that she shal
move forward under a guidance disregard
jng academic politics to accomplish he
three specific tasks as a university in ar
atmosphere favorable to manhood, scholar
ship and religion.
Tnders' anding you thus. with the CON
sent Of the hoard Of trustees, I will gladl,
accede to your wish and withdraw my
resignation This is a double pleasure he
cause II makes the way clear a. last I,
return an Affirmative answer to the reaues
which the students made last winter tina,
| should stay at Princeton.
At the time Of Woodrow Wilson's cleo
/ ton DR.. van Dyke was reported as helm,
a candidate for the presidency Of Prince
ton. Despite persistent denials on hi
part the r'imor was revived during the
present academic year. and il is to thi,
, that he refers in the letter. There is nc
, feeling at present among the faculty o,
Princeton that any remnants of last
years graduate school controversy still
: exist. When asked whether he would
, accept tho position Of director OF the re
{ ligious side Of university life, which wal
offered him previously by the trustees
= Dr. van Dyke said
= The proposition to which you refer
= regarding the charge Of theI religion.
r interests of the university was made b,
q the first committee Of the trustees anc
brought up again in conference Of tn,