At one time we advanced the opinion that the conduct of the Harvard crew in withdrawing from the Columbia race could not well be justified by the college at large. We formed our opinion at the time on the ground of the decision of Mr. Watson, the referee, and the various statements made at the time of the race. Since then the Harvard crew and its representatives have presented a statement of the matter from their standpoint, containing an explanation of their conduct in leaving New London before the time set for the race. This explanation, it seems to us, is perfectly satisfactory on the point raised as to the honor of the conduct of Harvard's crew in leaving as it did. It is plain to every one that if the word of the members of the Harvard crew and of the coach as gentlemen is to be taken (and who will question it?), then there certainly was a misunderstanding, or a series of misunderstandings, throughout the whole matter. We will not say that Harvard might not at first have made concessions for the sake of courtesy and harmony; still the conduct of her representatives in insisting upon what they believed to be her rights seems, as the case now stands, technically justifiable. Whatever blame, in short, the severest judges may lay upon Harvard for her conduct up to the time of her departure from New London, there is not the least doubt that the crew is entirely freed from the charge of dishonorable conduct in leaving New London before the race had been given up; it distinctly understood that the race has been declared off.

To Columbia we would say that it is a matter of the deepest regret to every one in college that the present misunderstanding should have arisen; the relations of the two colleges in the past have always been of the pleasantest, and it is our earnest hope that they may continue so for the future, Harvard feels persuaded that her conduct is justifiable. Blame is not attached to Columbia; blame cannot justly be attached to Harvard. A misunderstanding has existed from the beginning. That the matter may rest where it is without further criminations or recriminations on either side is our earnest hope.