Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-11
The University Of Virginia.

Inc paradox tDaL one. uall vi tIlc hiueIlcau
people knows not how the other half lives finds
rather unique confirmation in the surprise
with which, as We venture to say, most persons
lately read President Venable's description, in
New York newspaper, of the system on which
the greatest university In the South Is founded.
We there learned that certain measures OF uni
ycrsty Improvement, which are only matters
of prophecy at Harvard, Yale and Cornell
have. been for nearly fifty years matters of his,
tory in Virginia and that certain other mea
sures we're long ago quietly and successfully in.
troduced at Charlottesville by Thomas Jcffer
son, for the late introduction of which at Cam
bridge and at Ithaca, President Eliot and Prcsi-
dent White have been smltten with the eplthct
of innovators.
The University of Virginia was the dream OF
Jcfferson's earlier lite, and the fruition and de-
light Of his old age. When the Declaration OF
Independence shall be forgotten among the
common places of political achievements, this
university will remain as his monument, testify
ing to his emancipation from prejudice, his
knowledge of human nature, aud his far-swecp-
ing foresight He had the choice of construct
ing new college in Virginia or of reconstruct
ing an old one He resolved not to try to cut
the new garment out of the old one He de-
tcrmincd to cut it out of whole cloth and the
pattern he found in the amplitude of his own
mind. That spacious university, which bears
the imperial name of his native State,is the re-
suit of his brave and wise determination.
There are half a dozen topics, either OF In
struction or of discipline, on which our more
progressive Northern universities arc still
doubling, or only timidy experimenting, but
which the University of Virginia has long slnce
happily solved. These are the elective system
of studies, instruction by lectures as well as
thorough recitations, the bestowment OF degrees
only after rigorous examinations, the abolition
of the inquisitoral and police system of govern
ment, and the recognition of religious freedom
as a right belonging even to such wretches as
university students.
Upon all these topics the experience OF the
University of Virginia throws great light. 1t
is high time that we opened our eyes to it.
They have there 'the elective system 10 Its
broadest sense. There is no prescribed curri-
culum. The instruction is given IN separate
and distinct schools. Students are permitted
to select the schools to which they are led by
their special tastes or proposed pursuits in life.
The several advantages, both to pupil and to
teacher, Of instruction through lectures and
textbooks are secured by an arrangement
which admirably employs both.
But the two subjects OF most striking inter-
est 10 President Venabe's testimony. relate to
worship and to discipline in the University
With regard to the former, he says that ''at-
tendance on religious exercises is entirely vol !
untary. These exercises are held by the resi-
dent chaplain, who is not State officer, but
simply the pastor of the Faculty and Students,
elected in rotation from the four leading de-
nominations in the State, and supported, as
other pastors, by the voluntary contributions OF
his flock"
And what are the results of this terrible sys-
tenn of religious freedom2 They are summed
up in these words: 'The students contribute
with very commendable hberality to the sup
port of the chaplain, who goes constantly in
and out among them as their friend and broth
er, laboring earnestly in the promotion OF
Christian activity and all good works. There
is always respectable attendance Of student
worshippers at morning prayers, a good attend
chapel as well as in the churches in the town.
There is an earnest Christian activity among
the students, which employs itself in the differ
ent enterprises of the University Young Men 8
Christian Association. They hold weekly
prayer-meetings in the different districts Of the
institution-the average attendance on which
is more than one-third of the whole number OF
students. They keep up six Sunday schools in
the sparseiy settled mountain districts OF the
ncigiborhood, five for whites and one for freed
men, with an average attendance on each OF
thirty pupils. This steady Christian activity
mot thing of to-day or yesterday, but it has
been tho rule for years.
Finally, the system Of discipline adopted 10
the University of Virginia is one of the noblest
features Of it. No method of surveillance is
employed. Jcfferson's maxim about the best
government prevails In the institution which he
t,onnded Moreover, the statements "of stu
uchts IN all transactions with the authorities
are received as on honor; and in the written
examinations each student appends to his an
s%ers s", certificate on honor that ne has. re-
cclVed no assistance
And how does university eontrive to get on
win Its community of students who are gov.
w ernea as little as possible, and who are always
1ou Ventably put upon their honor? Nothing
aents answer to this question. '"The effect, Of
TINS system" he says "in imbuing the body Of
me students with the spirit of truth and candor
"a giving them the proper scorn, for lie, and
10 promoting frank and manly intercourse
petWeen the students and professors cannot be
100 highly estimated. A student who is known
70 have been guilty of a violation of his exami-
nation pledge, or of any other falsehood in his
ueal'ngs with the authorities, things of rare oc-
currence, is not permitted by his fellows to
remain In the institution. [ believe that if this
system Of trust and confidence were adopted in
all the colleges of the land, it would prove an
ioestlmabfe blessing to our country in inculcat-
my manliness truth and integrity upon our
future rulers.'' "
President Vcnablc has earned the gratitude
OF all the people by his admirable contribution
to the rightful understanding Of college REFORM
1t will be observed that be deals in facts,
rather than in, conjectures, or prophecies, or
Is paed edT Of HSs 0opee eas st % a y
~'s paperj -. ,'''' - I
Miss Nancy Adams, of Qanyille, now upt
wards Of seventy years of age, islcutting teeth
lor the fourth time. This is certainly go, fot
several ladies' have made the examination, ,