The Washington herald., 1917-02-18

ton in the development of its greatness
must be the resultant of the various
points of view and experiences Of every
part of the United States"
From this expression Prof. Turner de-
Quoted that 1t is the aim of Harvard 10
be in sympathetic understanding not only
with New England, but with every cor
ner of this nation.
At this point Prof. Henning took oc-
casion to speak Of the keeping up of Har-
ward scholarships as lone of the specific
and obvious things" which the Wash
ington Harvard Club does. The club
maintains a scholarship in the university
for deserving Washington boys.
The toastmaster said that there was a
possibility of establishing a club house
here for Harvard graduates in this city.
Representative Platt followed as the
next speaker. He declared that I'VE are
absolutely in an intolerable position as
nation" in his Introductory remarks,
in which he referred to the international
situation.
Blow at U. s. Trade.
He said that the German U-boat war
trade. condition which this country
should view and strenuously oppose as
violation of her rights"
Representative Platt recalled the situa-
ton which existed between the United
States and France from 17ss to 1898 He
told of the "nonintercourse act which
was drawn up by this country, and
through which the United States went on
the high seas and captured eighty-four
armed French vessels, all without par
leying."
He stated that II was interesting to
note the similarity between that condi-
ton and the crisis now facing this coun-
try
Because of this similarity" Represent
atiye Platt continued, IT took this nom
Intercourse act and changed the name
France to Germany and reintroduced
it in Congress"
He said that the United States, during
that early part of its history quickly re-
sorted to force to protect its rights, land
1t did this without any declaration of war
or without any formal severance of dip
lomatic relations.
Therefore, why can't we TODAY back
up our. rights with 100, 1000 people as
we did when We were in the making with
only 5OO0,000?"
Tells of Harvard's Aims.
An exceedingly interesting address
which conveyed clear idea of the work.
ings and aims of Harvard University.
was made by Prof. Perry.
ilc Icdu d HlIHcTlO uDpuDISne0 letter
written by Abraham Lincoln to illustrate
Just what the purposes of Harvard are.
The letter was written from Springfield,
Mass, in November. 1885, in reply to G
letter from a young man who asked to
be allowed to study law in the office o,
Lincoln.
In substance the letter ran thus: 81.
YOU are determined to make a lawye,
out of yourself, the thing is half done
already. I never read law in any office.
Get the books you need and then read
them. Books and your capacity for
understanding them is the same in al:
locations Your resolution to succeed is
far more important than anything else
Prof Perry commented: THE writer
of the letter, Lincoln. afterward be-
came a great lawyer, but II he should
have had the opportunity of training
in the Harvard Law School, he would
have been far more brilliant This in
cident shows the opportunities Which,
Harvard is graspinS." .....
Refers to Patriotism.
Prof Perry referred to the patriotism
of Harvard, and said that there was no
need worrying about that. but declared
there are other problems confronting us
at Harvard
One of these problems was the "strug-
Cling against the laws OF nature, vi
which Prof. Perry spoke as follows:
when. the freshmen dormitories were
established no one anticipated the loss
with which we are now confronted be-
cause of the quartering of the freshmen
away from the upper class men, with
whom they should associate.
There is the theory that "a kid will be
kid STILL but l have no respect for the
grade blue books which are served
back just as d ball would be in tennis.
THE instructor serves out the knowl-
edge to the students, and they serve 1t
back at examination time. But there
must be an understanding of the univer-
sity life and aims If the freshman is to
get the most benefit out of his first years
course" .' f'''
Another of the problems of which
Prof. Perry spoke was the fearful NOR
tality which has thinned out faculty"
He paid high tribute to the scholars of
the faculty who have recently been claim
ed by death. and whose places Prof.
Perry believes are hard to fill.
In his final remarks the speaker refer
red to "the overarching Harvard" He
forcibly impressed the far-reaching in
f1uences of the university.
Representative Dallinger made a stir
ring address,- In which he declared that
this country needs more of the old
American spirit because nations like