University of Rochester - Interpres Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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THE INTERPRES 11 scholar who had served with signal ability as assistant secretary of state under john I-Iay and as foreign minister in two successive posts, in the last of which he had rendered marked service in connection with The Hague peace conference. It is a question whether any diplomat ever received a stronger endorsement from his own government. During the comparatively short period of ten years Doctor I-Iill has thus achieved a success in public life which has even surpassed that which had already crowned his career as an educator, and has fully met the sanguine hopes of his most devoted friends. In the midst of the many duties that have attended his diplomatic work it is a pleasure to record the fact that he has lost none of his original tastes as a scholar, and has been able to make a new and valuable contribution to American literature. Perhaps the most enduring monument to his fame will be the historical work which he has planned and in part executed, namely, the History of Diplomacy in the International Development of Europe. Of the six large volumes proposed for this history two have already appeared and have received Hattering words of appreciation from both American and foreign critics. It is worthy of note that this work was formally presented to the French Institute in a eulogistic address by Professor Boutroux of the University of Paris, who called attention to its philosophical spirit, its impar- tial treatment and its great historical value. It was also made the subject of a highly appreciative review written by the Swiss philosopher, Professor Millioud of the University of Lausanne. In recognition of the large amount of work done upon this history while the author was in Switzerland, the University of Geneva conferred upon him the honorary degree of HDoctor of Letters. The distinction which Doctor I-Iill has achieved as a scholar and historian has already been recognized in Germany by an invitation extended to him to present an address before the International Congress of Historical Sciences to be held in Berlin during the present year. If there is anything in the life of Doctor I-Iill even more to be admired than the great work he has accomplished and the bright laurels he has won, it is the fact that throughout his whole career he has preserved the classic qualities of the true gentleman. Courteous in his manners, simple and refined in his tastes, regardful of the feelings of others, devoid of envy and resentment, calm in the face of annoyance, guided by reason and not by impulse, faithful to his friends and forgiving to his enemies, he has drawn about him a vast circle of confreres, who have found in him companionship and inspiration. He has shown that the development of a symmetrical and well-finished character is a part of one's life work quite as highly appreciated by discerning minds as important contributions to literature or great achieve- ments inthe political world. With such a record and such a character we are proud to claim him as one of our associates, and one whose name and influence form a part of the history of our Alma Mater.

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10 THE INTERPRES drew the student body into cordial support of all his plans, and became a con- spicuous and attractive figure in the social and public life of the whole com- munity. By the charms of his presence, the grace of his oratory and his catholic sympathies, he won an enviable distinction as a citizen and a representative man. He moreover added to his literary fame by the publication of one of his most important works, entitled 'fGenetic Philosophy, which presented in a new light the accepted facts of evolution and suggested a scientific recon- ciliation between such extreme theories as those embodied in the absolute idealism of Hegel and the synthetic philosophy of Spencer. He also wrote at this time an important essay on 'flnternational Justice, in which we may perhaps discern the unconscious beginnings of his diplomatic career. His increasing interest in public affairs is evident in the growing frequency of his appearance on the political platform, as well as in the publication of a popular treatise on Einance,', which was used as a campaign document in 1896. The strong conviction that a wider and more attractive field of activity lay before him led to his resignation as college president-but not to the breaking of the ties of friendship which bound him to Rochester. The regret that was felt by all the friends of liberal education at the severance of his official relation to the University has in part been dissipated by the remarkable success that has attended him in his new career. To prepare himself more fully for his future work he spent nearly three years in the study of the public law and diplomacy of Europe. The first public recog- nition of his qualifications as a diplomat was made in 1898, when he was appointed first assistant secretary of state at Wfashington and was brought into close official relations with Secretary John Hay and President McKinley. Wliile occupying this position he not only took an active part in the negotia- tions relating to the Ear Eastern Question, but also delivered courses of lectures on European diplomacy in the School of Comparative jurisprudence connected with the Columbian fnow the George W'ashingtonj University, besides publishing important tractates upon the f'Conception and Realization of Neutrality, and the Life and VVork, of Hugo Grotiusf' In 1903 he was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Switzerland, whence he was transferred in 1905 to the Netherlands. In connection with this latter position he was appointed plenipotentiary delegate to the Second Peace Conference at the Hague. These successive appointments indicate in an unmistakable manner the great confidence reposed in him by the govern- ment at Wasliiiigton. But the strongest evidence of his unqualified success as a representative of our country abroad was his designation by President Roosevelt as ambassador to Berlin. The design of the President and the Secretary of State in choosing Mr. Hill, to quote the language of the VVash- ington authorities in referring to this promotion, was to choose the man who of all the men in the diplomatic service was best fitted for this particular position-a position of the very first order in honor and responsibility, and one to which therefore it was deemed well to send a skilled diplomat, a student, a speaker, an authority on international law, a learned German

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THE' INTERPRES Ein jtlilzmuriam Wfhen, on Friday morning, February 7th, 1908, death removed from among our number one of our most beloved Professors, the Whole college mourned their loss and the individual undergraduate whose fortune it was to know Professor Mixer in life felt peculiarly that he had lost a friend and a living example and ideal of true Christian manhood combined with those rare qualities which go to make up a perfect gentleman. Professor Mixer was born in 1822, at Forestville, Chautauqua County. He graduated from Colgate Uni- versity in 1848 and in 1850 became a tutor at the Univer- sity of Rochester. Prom that time until his death he was connected with the University almost constantly, the only interruptions being two trips abroad in order to study the modern languages, and the six years during which he was professor of Modern Languages at the University of Chicago. Prom 1867 to 1904 he served continuously on the faculty as head of the department of Modern Lan- guages, and since 1904 he has been emeritus professor in the same department.