New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-06-12
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

The paradox that Oue-half OF the Amer
! can people knows no. low the other hall
| lives finds rather unique confirmation il
the surprise with which, as we venture tl
| say. most persona lately read Presiden,
| Nenables description OF :be system on
| which the greatest university Of the South
! is founded. We there learned that certain
measures of university improvement, which
are only matters OF prophecy as Harvard,
Yale and Cornell. have been for nearly fifty
years matters Of history n Virginia. and
that certain other measures were long ago
quietly and successfully introduced at
Charlottesville by Thomas Jefferson. for the
late introduction Of which. st Cam bridge
and az Ithaca. President Eliot and Presi-
dent White nave been smitten with the
erithet OF lunOvators.
Ire University OF Virginia was the dream
OF JeffersOn's earlier lite. and the truitiOn
and delight Of his old age. When the
Gee ClaTatloO OF independence shall 6e 1Or-
gotten among the comnlon-places Of pOiiti-
cal achievements. This university will re-
main az his monument. testifying to his
emancipation from pre- udice, his knowledge
of human nature, and his far-sweeping fore
sight. He had the choice OF constructing a
new college in Virginia or OF recOnstructing
al old one. He dreaded the inveteracy and
the peytlness OF those gray traditions and
customs that had claMbered, like Virginia
creepers, over the walls of the College Of
William and Mary. He resolved no. TO try
to Gu. the new garment out Of the Old one.
He determined to cut it out Of whole cloth;
and the pattern he found Ill tho amplitude
Of his own mind. That spaciOua university
whicL bears the imperial name Of his native
State is the result OF his brave and wise
determination.
There are half dozen topics, either Of
instruction or Of discipline, on which our
more progressive Northern universities are
still! aoubting, or only timidly experiment
ing. but which the University. Of Virginia
has long since happily solved. These are
the elective system OF studies, instruction
by lectures as well IS through recitatiops,
the bestowment OF degrees only after rigor-
Qua examinations, the abolition Of the in-
4uisito:ial and police syatem OF govern
ment. and the recognition OF religious free
dom rs . right belonging even to such
wretcEes as university studente.
Upon all these topics the experience of
the University Of Virginia throws great
light. 1t is high time that We opened our
eyes 70 It. They have there tine elective
system in its broadest sense. There is no
prescribed curriculum. The instruction is
given N separate and distinct echoole
S,aGeDts are permitted to select the schools
to winch they are led by their special
tas.ss OK proposed pursuits IN life The
severa! advantages, both 20 pupil and 20
teacher, Of instruction through lectures and
Textbooks are secured by an arrangement:
which admirably employs both.
Bat tue two subjects Of most etril 'nS in
:eres; IN President Venable's testimony re-
late 70 worship and 20 discipline in the
university. With regard to the former. he
says that 'sttendance on religious exer-
cises is entirely voluntary. 1hese exer-
e:ses are held bv the resident chaplain. who
is NC: State officer, but simply The pastor
of the faculty aud students, elected in rota
ton from the four leading denominations
in the State. and supported. as other pas
tors, ~ che voluntary contributions OF bis
flock"
And ybat are the resrlte Of this terrible
system of religious freedom! They are
suuned up in THESE words: Tho .tndents
contribute with very commendaDle liberal
ity 70 the support OF tie chaplain. who
gees constantly IN and GU, among them as
their friend and brother, labo.lng earnestly
in the promotion Of Christian activity and
all good works. There is always . respect
able attendance Of student Worship
ers at morning prayers. good at
tendance Of studente in the Sunday
services IN the chapel as well as in the
Christian activity among the students.
which employs itself in the different enter.
prises of the University Youn. Mene Chris
tian Association. They hold weekly PRAYER
in the different districts OF the in
sGtutiOn, the average attendance on which
10 more than Cle-thlrd of the whole number
of students. They keep up six Sunday
schools in the sparsely settled mountain
districts Of the neiGhborhood. five for
whites and one for freedmen. with an aver.
age attendance on each OF thirty pupils
This steady Christian activity is not q thing
of to-day or yesterday, but it has been the
yule for years.
Finally. the system of discipline adopted
in the University Of Virginia is one Of the
nobess features of it. No method OF sur
is employed. Jeferson's maxim
about the best government prevails in the
institution which he founded. Moreover
The statements Of students in all transac.
;ipns with the authorities are received - on
honor: and in the written examinations
zach student appends 10 his answers a GER
.:Iicate On nonov that he has received 10
assistance.
And how does a university coEtriye 20
&c. on with its community OF students who
are governed as little as possible. and who
are always and veritably put upon their
bonoI! Nothing could be finer or more
cheering :han the presidents answer 70
IL : question. ''The effects of this system,"
w lays. III lHIUuiu. We pOuy VI iue STU
tents with the spirit of truth and candor.
n giving them the proper scorn for lie,
and in promoting a frank and manly inter- |
course between the students and professors
,an not be too highly estimated. A student !
is known to have been guilty of
; violation Of bis examination pledge or
any other talsehood in his dealings
with the authorities, things of rare occur
renee, is not permitted by his fellows TO
remain in the institution. believe that if |
his system Of trust and confidence were
adopted IN all the colleges OF the land, it |
would prove an inestimable blessing to our
country in inculcating manlness. truth
and integrity upon our future rulers
President Venable has earned the graft |
use Of all the people by his admirable
contribution to the rightful understanding
# college reform. 1t will be observed that |
,e deals in facts, rather than in ccnjec-
ures. or prophecies, or hopes, or fears. |
And ole ounce of fact is worth pound of |
uesswork-at least !-.ve,o York Christian
: .!".t.
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