Year: 1876




We print rs much as we can find space for
Of the interesting and learned centennial
discourse delivered by Hon. John Jay on
Thursday evening before the alumni of CO.
lumbia College. 1t is in the main a histori-
cal production /; but in our excerpts we have
preferred to select passages relating to the
present condition Of this venerable institu-
ton and to the plans in contemplation
for renewing its youth and enlarging
its usefulness. Columbia is one of
the richest as well as oldest insti-
tutions of learning in the country, and her
catalogues have included the names of many
of the most distinguished men in American
history. But her growth and prosperity have
not been commensurate either with her
pecuniary resources or with the lustre re-
fected on her by the great statesmen, jnrists
and scholars whom she has trained. Efforts
are making to elevate her to the rank of
great seat of learning beftting the dignity
of the metropolis of the American continent
and an object of just pride to it's citizens


Among the projected changes is a transfer
of its location to some pleasant rural site on
the banks of the Hudson, within convenient
distance of the city. This may be we'll, but
the experiment would be attended
with some danger A picturesque
site on the Hudson would imply the
erection of fine buildings; tasteful
architecture might prove drain on the
funds of the institution which would Grip
pie it for more important objects. There are
only two ways by which university can
grow One is by maintaining steady, un-
broken prestige, as Harvard and Yale have
done, which brings such a crowd of students
that the qualifications for admission can
be constantly raised and the stand
ard Of learning MS constantly ele-
vated. The other is by professorships so
munifcently endowed rs to make them
sought by men Of the highest distinction in
tho republic Of science and letters. The
former method is best adapted to healthy
and solid improvement in character and
standing, but it requires much time and in
cessant effort and vigilance. The latter
is best fitted for raising an insti-
tuition which has languished through
feeble existence, though possessed
of abundant pecuniary means. Colum-
bia might change her site and erect i'm
posing buildings without any substantial
advance toward prosperity. The best use
she can make of her wealth is in strengthen
ing her faculty by an accession of able and
famous men. The Old World and the New
should be searched for enthusiastic votaries
of science and learning under whom gifted
young men would be proud to study, and
who would eclipse all ideas of college archi-
lecture by their imposing personality.
They must not be men of mere dry learning,
but to the fame Of great attainments they
must add reputation for brilliant elo-
quence and personal magnetism fitted to
fire the hearts Of young men with enthusi-
astic ardor in the pursuit Of learning. In
music, in painting, in sculpture, it is better
to be the pupil of great and inspiring
master than to plod through the routine of
the best organized academy, and the same
principle holds good in the pursuit Of
science and classical learning. The great
thing for Columbia to do is to eclipse her
sister institutions by the ability and fame of
her professors.