Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-01-24
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY "a, 1912.
THE WORTH OF A COLLEGE

Idine MAGAZINES of the country
Wit re appears AN article which pur-
;',7 brts to give, for the first time, the
6fnside story of the late lamented
controversy" at Princeton University
The writer charges that the lnstltu-
ton is a school for rich mems sons,
and that true American democracy
has been displaced by aristocracy
The Princeton Alumni Weekly, un-
der date of January 10, replies to the
attack made upon Old Nassau, and
suggests that the muck4raker' as 1t
terms the author of the criticism, pay
a visit to Princeton and see for him.
self the conditions which actually ex-
ist. It calls attention to the fact that
many determined young men are
working their way through college,
and while it admits that there are
fraternities, eating societies, and
clubs among the students, these are
to be found in any institution through
out the United States. The mere
fact that these student organizations
exist is no proof that the university
10 bound heart and soul by aristocrat-
tic letters. t,tss@,>~-s4
The worth q college is measured by
the success achieved by the students
to whom it awards the coveted sheep
skins. There is not a state in the
union which can not point with pride
to men who themselves are proud to
wear the orange and black of their
alma mater. Princetonians occupy as
many of the influential and lucrative
positions in life, in proportion, as the
graduates Of any other institution Of
learning. They are deservedly fond
Of their university.
Why should the writer have chosen
this one school above all others as
the target for his editorial shafts?
He could have turned his attention
to almost any other college and dis
covered the same practices prevailing
for which he threw mud at Princeton.
He might have directed his thunder
and lighting against the western
universities, Chicago, Michigan, Wis.
~consin, or Minnesota. He might
have even selected the University of
North Dakota, were he inclined to
notice q small institution.
At the university of this state he
would have found fraternities, he
would have been shocked to learn of
the existence Of several student clubs
and literary societies. True some Of
the students do not belong to any of
these organizations, but this is no
sign that the University of North
dakota is dominated by an artistic
crazy, or that the simple spirit Of
genuine American democracy has
) been forever banished from it's halls
and campus broad.
College bred men are the ones who
succeed. The clubs and organiza-
tons, the social life, and even the
little controversies which arise, help
to form the ties that bind for.
ever. all former pupils to their
alma mater. College days can
not be all pleasure. There are
many occasions wthien shadows fall
across the path of faculties and
scholars alike. 1t is the combination
of sunshine and shadows, of sorrows
and joys, which form the background
of happy student memories. If
trouble arises, and is overcome, the
very fact that obstacles have been
surmounted gives added pleasure to
those concerned. There is peculiar
Joy in the knowledge of triumphs
attained.
Let fault finders and muck-rakers
withhold their hands from institutions
which are doing much to build up the
nation. Princeton il all right. Other
universities are turning out splendid
American citizens. Within our own
state the University Of North Dakota
10 growing ana developing, and its