Modern Eloquence: Vol II | Page 4

the
American idea--the idea of the individuality and manhood of man, the
idea of a government formed simply to protect man, as individuals in
their rights, and leave them free in their action and mode of thought--is
the idea that has made this country great. It is in pursuance of that that
we have become the nation we are; it is by adherence to that that we
have become a model to all other nations, so much so that in the
German election yesterday, with the aid of friendly foreign despots,
with the aid of a threatened war, with all the aids that imperialism can
call to its assistance, Bismarck was able to carry his point only by a
small majority. This is the idea under which we have founded our
nation and grown great, and it is by that idea that we shall continue
great, if we are so to continue. [Applause.]

CHARLES WILLIAM ELIOT

HARVARD AND YALE
[Speech of Charles W. Eliot, President of Harvard University, at the
seventy-second anniversary banquet of the New England Society in the
City of New York, December 22, 1877. The President of the Society,
William Borden, presided, and said by way of introducing the speaker:
"Gentlemen, I now give you the sixth regular toast: 'Harvard and Yale,
the two elder sisters among the educational institutions of New England,
where generous rivalry has ever promoted patriotism and learning.
Their children have, in peace and war, in life and death, deserved well
of the Republic. Smile, Heaven, upon this fair conjunction.' [Applause.]
We are fortunate to-night, gentlemen, in having with us the
representatives of both these institutions, and I will ask President Eliot,
of Harvard, first, to respond." The allusion made by President Eliot to
the words of the Secretary of State refers to the following remarks
which William M. Evarts made in the course of his address: "New
England, I observe, while it retains all its sterling qualities, is
nevertheless moving forward in the direction of conciliation and peace.
I remember when I was a boy, I travelled 240 miles by stage-coach
from Boston to New Haven to avoid going to Harvard University
which was across the Bridge. [Great applause and laughter.] It was
because of the religious animosities which pervaded the community,
and I suppose animated my youthful breast; and now here I come to a
New England Society, and sit between the Presidents of those
renowned universities, who have apparently come here for the purpose
of enjoying themselves, and of exhibiting that proximity is no longer
dangerous to the peace of those universities. [Applause and laughter.]
No doubt there is a considerable warfare going on between them as to
the methods of instruction; but to us who have looked on, we have seen
no more obtrusive manifestation of it than that the President on my left,
of Yale, in dealing with the subjects that have successively been placed
before him, has pursued the methods of that university, its
comprehensive method, that takes in the whole curriculum; while on
my right, the eclectic principle is exercised by my friend, President
Eliot [applause and laughter], and he has confined himself to the dainty
morsels of the repast. I speak of this to show that, although an
amelioration of climate or an obliteration of virtues is not to be

expected in New England, or in New England men, yet there may be an
advancement of the sunshine of the heart, and that an incorporation of
our narrow territory in a great nation, and a transfusion of our opinions,
our ideas, our purposes into the veins of a nation of forty millions of
people, may enlarge and liberalize even the views, the plans, and the
action of New England."]
MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:--I am obliged to my friend Dr.
Clarke [James Freeman Clarke, D.D.] for the complimentary terms in
which he has presented me to you. But I must appeal to your
commiseration. Harvard and Yale! Can any undergraduate of either
institution, can any recent graduate of either institution, imagine a man
responding to that toast? [Laughter.] However, I must make the best of
the position, and speak of some points upon which the two institutions
are clearly agreed. And here I am reminded of a story of a certain New
England farmer, who said that he and 'Squire Jones had more cows
between them than all the rest of the village; and his brag being
disputed, he said he could prove it, for the 'Squire had forty-five cows
and he had one, and the village altogether had not forty-six. [Laughter.]
We shall all agree that it is for the best interests of this country that it
have sundry universities, of diverse tone, atmosphere, sphere,
representing different opinions and different methods of study to some
extent,