Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-18
RecOlIecsions OF 81 Scene nj the Uni
Versiiy OfEa

Professor Tutwilter, OF Alabama, gives the
following Renaissance Al
In October, 1925. the University was sub.
iected to a severe ordeal. Mr.. Jefferson
thought that youug men could be governed by
snpeals TO their honor ard sense of duty, and
that rigid system Of discipline was unneces-
sary. This may do very well where all are
equally high minded and honorable, but llntor-
tunately this is seldom, If ever, the case. The
first code of laws contained provision Tor the
appointment Of board of censors from among
the students, who were to inquire into the
offences and decide upon the punishment, sub
iect to the approval of the Faculty. 1t was
soon found that the system, however plausible
in theory, did not work we'll in practice. Dis
turbances of serious nature occurred, and
when the Faculty exercised their prerogatiye
of Furnishing the offenders, a combination was
formed among large number of the students
and spirit of insubordinatlon aroused. so
far was this carried that the foreign protes-
sors Gas was believed by the students. }
rendered their resiguatious The Board or
Visitors was then In session at Monticello. The
matter was brought to their notice, and they
came in body to the University. The students
were called together In one OF the rooms OF the
rotunda. At a long table, near the centre OF
the room met the most august body OF men
had ever seen, or ever expect to see assembled
in one place. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, a
glorious trio, tho founders and trainers OF q
new mighty republic and who had administer
ed the government twenty four out OF the thlr-
ty-six years of its existence under the Constr
tuition as it then was. By the side of these
were others not much less noted in their own
State. There was Chapman Johnson, who stood
at the head OF the Virginia bar at q time when
the Old Dominion boasted of her w. Q. Rves,
her Barbours, Tazewell, Taylor, Leigh, Giles,
Upshur, Tyler and host OF others scarcely
less distinguished. There was Jos. G. Cabell,
the pure patriot and statesman, the bosom
friend of Mr.. Jefferson, and his '.ft,tS debates
in all his struggles for the University, and there
was Gen. John FL. Cooke, whose generosity
and philanthropy were unbounded. Mr.. JEFF
ferson was to address the students. de was
evidently greatly agitated. His mind was
filed with alarm and anxiety for the safety OF
his darling scheme, the last, best hope, as
he regarded it, of his beloved Virginia.
He commenced by saying that this was one OF the
most painful events of his life, but he had not
proceeded far before his feelings overpowered
him, and he was compelled to sit down, remark
ing that he must leave to younger and aber
hands the task of saying what he had wished
10 say, Chairman johnson then arose, and made
one of the most eloq uent and touching appeals
have ever heard He did not spare the of
tenders, but portrayed their conduct in its true
coors, and ended by calling upon each onetwho
had been concerned in the riotous conduct to
come forward and give In his name. These
names were to be handed to the faculty, who
were to deal with each offender as he deserved.
The appeal had the desired effect. The guilty
individuals seemed to vie with one another in
pressing forward to announce their names,
which were taken down by the secretary OF the
Board. Among those who came toward was
W.. erandnephew of Mr.. Jefferson. 1t
was afterwards announced that Mr.. Jersonson
could scarcely refrain from giving vent 10 his
feelings when this name was announced. The
names we're given to the faculty, and after
careful investigation some of the leaders were
expelled, while others were visited with lighter
punishment. Quiet was restored and every
thing, after that, went on harmonlously.