The sun., 1919-11-02


Tho Jollotoino Is the abstract Of an
address delivered during the recent
Dartmouth College celebration.
MERICANS have always believed
~ in education. The war has deep
ened our confidence in all forms
OF higher training. The unprecedented
enrolment OF students at all of the coll
Ieges and universities is a concrete evi-
dence Of Americas passion for educa-
tion. The people seem to understand
that democracy and education are in
separable
This developing confidence In educa-
tion is paralleled by a growing popular
concern for the methods and aims of
our educational institutions. The entire
system from top to bottom Is under care
full scrutiny. Numerous proposals are
being put forward looking to the re-
organization and regrouping Of our edu-
eational agencies In various sections
Of the country the Junior college plan
is regarded with growing favor. 1t
can prepare boys for the professional
schools. In our large universities the
pre-professional training of boys In the
liberal arts college is increasingly bur-
densome. In short the place and func-
ton OF the college of liberal arts in the
educational system OF this country is
by no means permanently assured. At
any rate It is eminently fitting at the
sesoucentennial celebration OF the
founding of one Of the great colleges
OF our land to ask ourselves seriously,
what must the colleges do?'
The traditional answers are not suf-
hcient A new day creates new ten
dencies and new demands. Our colleges
have expressed such large elements OF
truth in the past that there need be no
undue concern about their overthrow
or complete metamorphosis now. They
will continue TO function nightly in
the new day. Our task then is not to
say something new but to venture GER
tain observations upon the new emphasis
which must be placed upon the activi-
ties Of our colleges.
Our colleges as never before, must de-
mand accuracy. From the standpoint OF
American life as whole the problem
involved here is fundamental. Super
nciality is an American vice. Histori-
cally speaking we have been a race Of
pioneers. We have done the best We
could 1t takes time to develop a sub
stantial civilization. Temperamentally
we are not well equipped for patient.
thoroughgoing work. Our standards
TO turn of task quickly. The war has
sent to our colleges large group Of men
who are physically and nervously rest
less. II 1t has been difficult before II
| will be almost impossible now to settle
down to the tasks Of college life. Oxford
tutors, speaking of American Rhodes
scholars, say that "they seem to lack
accuracy and (as rule) the power Of
hard grind"
New facts are at hand which offer
more hope for satisfactory results. The
limited service to the country. America
. new sense OF thoroughness. Even be-
fore the war college students were char
aeterized by growing intellectual ear
nestness and seriousness
Surely the college OF to-day must seize
the present opportunity to render un-
limited service to the country. America
leeds generation OF citizens trained TO
90 thoroughly and accurately whatever
u undertakes Here is where the en-
phass must lie. 1t is the old fashioned.
nsistent. unacceptable demand lying
back of all worthy effort in any field
means exact. precise conformity to
acts, 1t requires the elimination OF
mistakes, errors and defects 1t calls
ior delicacy, nicely and precision of
tnourht and action. 1t demands the
Ngor OF the mathematical and scientific
plrit The colleges could render nc
greater service to our democracy than
70 equip group OF citizens who IN
rncuvely and habitually work and
MINK with accuracy and precision. Here
me old demand of a new day.
Ihe college must awaken its students.
Any careful student of American edu-
eauon recognizes that a new tendency
at work In our institutions of higher
Earning. 1t arouses the concern IL not
the opposition Of those who ideaIixe tech