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This Week in Princeton University History for October 20-26

By April C. Armstrong *14

In this week’s installment of our recurring series, new football songs are introduced, Grover Cleveland speaks out in support of higher education, and more.

October 20, 1914—All undergraduates are urged to attend a mass meeting tonight to learn new football songs. Rumor has it that Dartmouth students have been practicing their football songs for weeks, and many feel Princetonians should not be outdone. Out of a variety of new football songs tried out at Glee Club practice, members have settled on “Princeton, Forward March” by Kenneth S. Clark, Class of 1905 (“It has a sing and a sentiment about it that will make it take at once”), and a parody of “Long Way to Tipperary” by J. A. Garvin, Class of 1915.

Cover of a music sheet titled Princeton Forward March. It features the Princeton University seal with the Latin motto Dei Sub Numine Viget. Text includes "WORDS & MUSIC by Kenneth S. Clark" and "THE JOHN CHURCH COMPANY CINCINNATI NEW YORK LONDON." Price listed as 50 cents.
Sheet music for “Princeton, Forward March,” 1914. Princeton Music Collection (AC056), Box 11.

October 23, 1896—Speaking at Princeton’s Sesquicentennial celebrations, U.S. President Grover Cleveland praises colleges as supports for democracy, while acknowledging that he does not have the same educational background as many present (Cleveland left school at 16 to help support his family after his father’s death). He says that colleges help everyone, even those who don’t attend them, to become better citizens.

Obviously a Government resting upon the will and universal suffrage of the people has no anchorage except in the people’s intelligence. While the advantages of a collegiate education are by no means necessary to good citizenship, yet the college graduate, found everywhere, cannot smother his opportunities to teach his fellow countrymen and influence them for good, nor hide his talents in napkin, without recreancy to a trust.

Grover Cleveland and Frances Fulsom Cleveland looking out over a crowd waving banners, with everyone surrounded by lights
Illustration of Grover Cleveland at the Sesquicentennial’s Torchlight Procession, October 21, 1896. Memorial Book of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Founding of the College of New Jersey and of the Ceremonies Inaugurating Princeton University. New York: C. Scribner’s, 1898.

October 24, 1962—As the ongoing Cuban Missile Crisis frays nerves on campus, University president Robert Goheen urges the community to meet the moment with “confidence and courage.” “We must be calm and await the eventualities.”

October 25, 1797—In Newark’s Centinel of Freedom, an anonymous writer expresses shock and dismay at observed behavior of students in Princeton. “From students at college we expect a knowledge of the arts and sciences, and we do not expect to see school-boys mount the tribune, and declaim upon political topics. In attending such an exhibition, one does not know whether most to condemn the puerility of the composition, or ranting tone with which they are delivered.”

Did you read the previous installment in this series?

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April C. Armstrong *14

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