Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-06-14
SPIRIT OF GREATER
DELAWARE PERME-
ATES COMMENCEMENT
Continued from page II

State, OpeHeu year dSo, Hol
only has the immediate constit-
uency of the institution been en-
larged but its appeal to the peo-
pie of the commonwealth has
been immeasurably strengthen
ed Well may Governor Miller
congratulate himself upon the
circumstance that it was his of
fetal privilege to give to this
measure its final sanction.
Gas we are justified in feeling
confident that. through the con-
tinued cooperation of the forces
that have so far sustained the
college and advanced its inter-
ests. the means of its future de-
velopment will be assured, the
question naturally arises as to
what the course of that develop
ment should be. This question I
shall endeavor to answer not as
an expert in educational meth
DDS, whose Importance I may be
inclined to underrate, but as a
student of life. seeking to discov-
err in it's various manifestations
here and elsewhere, in the pres
ent and in the past, the basal
principles on which the training
of men and women for the up
building of society should be
conducted.
Speaking in this sense, I may
at once say that I believe the
great defect in educational activ-
tiles in the United States during
the past fifty years have been
the tendency towards superficial
ity, as exemplified in the excess
sive multiplication of the sub
jects professedly taught and in
the encouragement given to imma-
ture and uniformed pupils to
taste promiscuously but not too
inquisitively the viands set be-
| fore them.
"Let US not fatter ourselves
that this homely illustration of a
wayfarer's experience cannot be
duplicated in our educational
life. Should any one be inclined
to doubt it, let him consult the
report on medical schools in the
| United States. prepared under
the auspices of the Carnegie En-.
dowment for the Advancement OF
Teaching, which is now engaged
in similar investigation of law
schools. Institutions claiming
by virtue of their titular designa
ton, the rank of universities
have not been guiltless of con
ferring degrees in subjects il
which no adequate instruction
was provided; and, while such
things may to some extent be re
garded as the effervescence of {
period of feverish growth, they
have exerted baneful influence
in fostering loose conceptions o.
public and private duty.
"But, in making this state
ment, I desire to avoid the infer
ence that I advocate a marrow
and restricted curriculum. o,
the contrary, l adopt, withou
amendment or qualification, tn
words of the Act of 1862, which
while exacting instruction in ag
riculture and the mechanic arts
expressly embraced in its purviev
other scientific as we'll as classic
al studies, to the end that tn
education of the people might b.
not only practical but also lib
eral.' We are accustomed t.
sneak of mind and matter an,
although we may be unable pre-
cisely to denote where the on
ends and the other begins, We
we cannot be unconscious of tn
operation of the spiritual force
that create and FIX OR ideals ant
insnire our efforts to reach
HIGHER plane of thought and O.
action. These forces, withou
whose elevating influence life, NJ
matter how elaborate and ornat,
it's trappings may be, tends t.
. sink to the level of mere physica
existence. it is the special func
ton of liberal studies, anon.
which l may particularly men
tion psychology and ethics, to ex
plain, to stimulate and to direct
The Importance of such studies