The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-19
WILL RETAIN CHAIR
Van Dyke to Stay at Prince
ton on Request.

Princeton, N. j., May 19.-Dr. Henry
Van Dyke has withdrawn his resigna-
ton from the Murray professorship
of English at Princeton, on the re-
quest of the trustees and students of
the universit. The announcement that
Dr. Van Dyke had reconsidered his de-
cision to sever his connection with
Princeton was made by him when he
gave out letted written to the COM
mittee of trustees appointed to confer
with him.
The letter. which was a reply to the
committees request for a reconsidera-
ton, makes 1t plain that the causes of
DR.. Van Dykes resignation have been
removed.
Although at the time of his resigna-
ton DR.. Van Dyke made no public
statement regarding his reasons for
severing his connection with Prince
ton. 1t is evident that 1t was caused
by his conviction that the factional
hostilities among the faculty caused
by last years graduate college dispute
mad not SuDStded.
The last letter of the committee of
the trustees states that 1t is their de.
side that Princeton shall suffer no
distraction" in its academic efforts.
which DR. Van Dyke takes as suffi-
cient assurance of a policy of peace to
cause him to continue his work in the
university. DIR. Van Dykes resigna.
ton was presented to the board OF
trustees on January IL, and was not
accepted. About this time q commit.
tee representing the undergraduates
called on the professor. requesting him
to stay at Princeton.
DR.. Van Dyke says that their in.
fluence was one of the strongest in
helping him to make his decision. AT
a meeting Of the board of trustees on
April Is DIR. Van Dykes resignation
was again laid upon the table, to give
the committee of the trustees further
opportunity to confer with him.
Dyke to withdraw his resignation and
in this letter he said:
1T is gratifying to note that you
recognize that the perennial rumors
of my seeking the presidency of your
body are entirely false and unwarrant
ed. do not know where they origin
ated. But your frank disavowal now
should lay them to rest and relieve
me from the recurrent annoyance Of
being considered as q candidate fol
an office contrary to my desires and
altogether out of my line. The pros
pect of this relief 10 welcome.
/, THE last subject touched in your
letter is the most important. The rea
sons for my resignation have never
been concealed nor personal. They
have to do with the spirit and policy
of Princeton for the future. Regard
ing peace and work AZ essential to the
life Of the university, have venturet
in the course Of these long conferen
ces. which you have invited. to put
certain persistent question You
last paragraph is in reply to this ques
ton.
III understand you rightly the
phrase without distraction is mean
to express your wish and intention
that Princeton shall not be distracted
by personal rivalries and conflicts
You purpose that she shall move for
ward under . guidance disregardini
academic politics to accomplish hel
three specific tasks ~ . university.
Understanding you thus. with tn
consent Of the board Of trustees.
will gladly accede to your wish ana
withdraw NY resignation"