MR. ROOSEVELT'S OPPORTUNITY 69 



He was, wliat is less generally remembered now, perhaps the ablest and most 

 accomplished diplomatist ever in the public service of the United States. Jared 

 Sparks was a profound student of history, somewhat dull as a narrator, but of 

 unerring historic judgment. . . . James Walker was a great preacher and a 

 profound thinker. 



We need not venture to pronounce on Mr. Hoar's preference for good 

 old days. "What is notable is the suggestion of the effect of bringing 

 successful men of a high type from the midst of the world, for which 

 the student is destined, and putting them in his formative time before 

 his eyes. The result, in honorable ambition, civic enthusiasm and the 

 influence of large ideas upon the tone of mind, weighs something, it 

 must be admitted, against the chosen man's lack of direct acquaintance 

 with an educational institution and with just this species of adminis- 

 trative headship. The appalling diversity of subjects that a national 

 president must master encourages the hope that he would not fail to 

 respond with skill to those of the president of a university. 



This brings us to face the question what, at the present juncture, 

 the largest problems of an American university are. I have been 

 forced, however, to dwell at some length on the justness of my human 

 illustration, and on immediate problems that such a leader would 

 help to solve. Space fails me to discuss certain other and more complex 

 problems in which the putting of precisely such a powerful shoulder 

 to the wheel is equally required. With the editor's permission I will 

 return to the subject next month in a second article. These latter 

 difficulties call for a leader who adds to enthusiasm a long-borne burden 

 of the most trying practical experience. They call for one who, if an 

 idealist, has the best reason to be a realist too. 



