THE HISTORY OF CARLETON COLLEGE

Front matter

Dy

GOODSELL

Cc. M.

Preface

The genesis of this volume was on this wise: It had occurred that in 1859-62 President Strong and myself were classmates in Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and that through him in 1875 I had been introduced to the Northfield Congregational church, of which I soon after became pastor, remaining seven years, being also a trustee of the college, a member of the executive committee, and serving for three years as teacher of rhetoric and English literature. During this period I was brought into closest connection with the institution, became well acquainted with the faculty, the community and the commonwealth; making also the acquaintance of not a few of the founders and early builders. Moreover, in one way and another it fell to my lot to read and write not a little concerning Carleton, its history, character, work, etc. Taking my departure in 1881, I carried with me a high esteem and a warm affection, which ever since have continued and steadily increased. By several visits my acquaintance has been maintained. More than two decades have now passed, during which I have gazed upon the college from a distance, possessed thus of opportunities for intelligent observation and calm reflection, playing the part of a disinterested looker-on, viewing things vi ; PREFACE from the outside, in their relations and their relative proportions to other things.

But what is much more to the point, it is fortunate that President Strong, while unsparing and unwearied in making history, was also endowed with the historic spirit in such a way and to such an extent that, from the first, he has carefully collected and preserved a mass of invaluable material in the form of letters, reports, circulars, clippings from the public press, including a complete set of Catalogues and Minutes of the Congregational State Association; and at an early date, when memory was accurate, solicited from some of the most intelligent and trustworthy of the early actors, detailed statements concerning the most important events. Of all this material large and grateful use has been made in these pages, thereby adding much to their value. In addition to such rich resources, to the author the freest and fullest access has been granted to the records of the board of trustees and of the executive committee, and to whatever other official papers are kept among the archives. All this wealth of information has been supplemented by conversation and correspondence with members of the faculty, old residents of Northfield, and ministers who shared in the task of laying foundations. Finally, files of newspapers have been consulted, thanks especially to the officers of the State Historical Library at St. Paul.

It is not common to. put in print the story of an

PREFACE vii institution of learning so young as this, and hence the undertaking may appear over-ambitious, uncalled-for and out of place. Moreover, in such a case there can be found none of the element of the hallowed or romantic which belongs to great length of days and hoary age. But on the contrary, the fact is to be recalled that in this age more changes with far greater progress are often witnessed within the space of a few years than used to occur during the lapse of a generation or a century. Advance is now frequently made with the speed of steam or electricity, so that institutions like nations are born ina day. But more, in the case of Carleton, it will scarcely fail to appear that enough has actually transpired within the limits of the half-century covered, to supply abundance of worthy matter for a volume. Elements not a few are found which are novel and striking, and hence are well worth setting forth. There is besides a great and obvious advantage in gathering the material and putting it in shape for preservation while so many witnesses are living who will not long survive, and when they are gone much will be lost beyond recovery. And further yet, this particular time is eminently fitting for the appearance of a history of the college. The first president has held his office for a period phenomenally long, a full generation, his connection with the institution extending back to the very beginning. As he retires, the first epoch closes and a new régime begins.

viii PREFACE

Nevertheless, there is an embarrassment connected with the performance of this task, which all along has been deeply felt, and found in the fact that so many of the most prominent of the early actors in the scenes presented still survive. How difficult and how next to impossible to speak adequately, and yet becomingly, of them and the part they played. For the most part no attempt will be made in this direction. To avoid the perplexity somewhat, especial emphasis will be laid upon the earlier decades, the first things, the beginnings, with the purpose of speaking so fully of these that no need will arise for doing this work over again, leaving it to some future historian to continue the story.

No doubt defects will be discovered upon these pages by whoever may examine them with the critic’s eye. Omissions which seem serious to some will be noted, as well as matters introduced which in the judgment of some might better have been omitted. Very likely also certain of the conclusions reached and the convictions expressed will be deemed mistaken, with over-praise bestowed here, and lack of appreciation manifested there. But whatever defects, whether real or only apparent, are perceived, let them be charged, one and all, where they wholly belong, to the author. For in every sentence of every paragraph of every chapter, nothing stands which does not represent his apprehension of the well established facts in the case.

The performance of the task now brought to a

PREFACE ix close has been a pleasure and a privilege, in deed and in truth a labor of love. The work was begun with the belief that the theme was a worthy and noble one, that it contained divers passages which were both unique and thrilling; and this conviction has steadily increased until at length this closing word is written.

D, L. LEONARD.

Oberlin, Ohio.