Dr. Laprade Speaks to Students on War

April 4, 1917

Photo:University Archives

In an interesting and instructive lecture, Dr. W.T. Laprade, of the Department of History, last Thursday evening in the Y.M.C.A. hall outlined the policy of the United States in the impending war with Germany.

Dr. Laprade ... said only twice in its history had the nation been confronted with great crises, in 1776 when our liberty was at stake, and in 1861, the Civil War; but neither of these was as significant as the one that now threatens the welfare of the country.... According to Dr. Laprade, we are not going to war merely to protect our commerce or citizens, or to secure fair and just international law. But we are going to war because under present conditions, when one nation is so free to make war upon another, no nation is free from attack. Thus, we are entering the great struggles seeking to put an end to this inhuman practice. University Archives

Trinity Becomes a University

January 7, 1925

Trinity College trustees line up in favor of Duke UniversityPhoto:University Archives

On December 9, James B. Duke, multi-millionaire and industrial developer and capitalist, announced the creation of a trust fund totaling $40,000,000 for educational and charitable purposes, including the establishment and maintenance of a vast education institution in North Carolina to be known as Duke University. A fund of $6,000,000 will be made immediately available for the purpose of acquiring lands and equipping thereon buildings suitable and adequate for an institution of learning that in time will rival Yale or Harvard in prestige and universal educational facilities.

All his life James B. Duke has wanted to see North Carolina rise to the heights enjoyed by her sister states in the East and North because of such institutions as Yale and Harvard. He plans not only to build a university, but he has arranged the principal of the trust so that it will pay the estate 20 percent of its income until such additions have aggregated another $40,000,000. University Archives

Present Banking Crisis Explained in Student Meet

March 15, 1933

Dr. William H. Glasson, dean of the graduate school, explained the current economic distress in the regular Thursday assembly. Dr. Glasson explained first the usual methods of banking as pursued in this country, and then he made clear the causes of the present situation and whatever remedies have been proposed....

The present situation was primarily caused by the economic bugaboo, fear, probably engendered by the exposure of certain crooked dealings participated in by leading members of the banking world, and possibly by the use of the bank moratorium by the state of Michigan. There was a consequent unloading of securities on the New York exchanges, with the main purpose to get out of gold and currency. The result was the suspension of gold payments.

U.S. Built, Shall Now Destroy Modern Japan

By Sandy Rae December 9, 1941

"The Japanese attack on America is wholly characteristic of the island empire's species of arrant stupidity and calculated deceit," Dr. Paul M. A. Linebarger, famous Far-Eastern expert on the university political-science faculty, said today.

"For ten long years they have sought to obtain 'peace' between each step of their aggression, and have negotiated endlessly and dishonorably with us, with China, with the Soviet Union, and with Great Britain. Perhaps the Japanese leaders are now frantic enough to dream that they can defeat us locally in the Far East, and then offer us an apparently favorable 'peace' in the hope that we will sell out China or Britain, and leave ourselves to be disposed of at a later, more convenient moment," Linebarger said....

"Japan has injured us by opening the attack," he said. "She has done us a favor by uniting our nation, and by taking the whole blame herself. She now faces the biggest empire in the world--Britain; the richest nation in the world--America; and the largest nation in the world--China."

McCarthy Questions 'Red Smear Tactics' of Professor Hart

By Bill Howe February 1, 1952

Hornell Hart, sociology professor whose "factual analysis" of McCarthyism published in November brought threats from Senator Joseph McCarthy of legal action against the university if the reports were not suppressed, won a reaffirmation of academic freedom at Duke from President Hollis Edens this week.

The Duke president issued the following statement last Friday: "It is axiomatic in the university circles that a professor has the right to pursue research investigations of his choice."

Senator McCarthy, Republican from Wisconsin, had threatened a libel suit against the university as a result of the report published by Dr. Hart.... McCarthy has questioned what he called "typical Communist smear tactics" used by Dr. Hart in his publication.