The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-03
Another Word for the University Bill

Will you allow a small space IN your able
and widely-circulatcd paper for few hastily
and imperfectly-written lines upon one OF
the most important measures that ever occu-
pied the attention of the Virginia Lessa-
ture:
allude to the proposed appropriation Of
go. 900 to the University Of Virginia, pro-
vidcd Virginia students who study the col.
legiute course, as distinguished from the
professions, shall be taught free OF tuition.
This great question, upon which in 30 small
degree depends the glory and prosperity of
Virginia. SHOULD command the undivided
support Of Der sons of every section, for all
are equally interested in advancing the pros
perity OF The great State ins;i,ution--:he last
legacy of the immortal Jefferson to his coun-
trymcn. Even in pecuniary point of view,
its lowest aspect, the Legislature will save
to the State millions by that insignificant an.
nual expenditure. When we consider the
large Investment of the State in buildings,
library, &c, and the large amount OF money
expended in Virginia by students from
other States, and by the education Of her
young men in the highest branches free of
charge, by which the poor as well as the
rich may attain to highest donors, the vital
importance OF this measure must be apparent
to ALL
But there is a higher, nobler cause that
should prompt Virginians to support this
measure, for the maintenance not only of the
prosperity, but the very existence OF an in
stitution from the classic halls Of which an
nually 90 forth young men thoroughly yersed
in the highest branches Of human knorledge
as teachers OF high schools, professors OF col
leges, skilled in the professions, and prepared
- H. LAT, IoIlp o,,1
perform all OF the higher duties of life. Years
of upremitting toll and ltbe most rigid and
searching examinations daily and at stated
periods must necessarily be passed through
in order to attain the highest honors in this
great state University, and all who attain TO
the master OF arts 10 it may truly be said to
possess the sum OF human knowledge of bis
generation. Professor Rogers. Of Boston,
says that the University Of Virginia is the
great University of the State. Of the South,
and of the whole country. Whilst it towers
above all other institutions Of learning, it
sheds its light upon all below, furnishing
| teachers for high schools and professors for
colleges. and more competent teachers for the
| free schools.
In it the student is left free to follow the
bias Of his mind in the selection OF his
studies, and thorough qualification only,
and not so many years attendance upon lee
lures, can enable him to obtain diploma.
His honor and high sense of duty as gen
tleinau are appealed TO by his professors, and
chiva.ric love of honor anti all that is true,
good, and noble is 10 ,ulcatcd whilst what.
ever j. mean, low, aud dishonorable is looked
upon with contempt and viewed with repro
baton. Annually many young men imbucd
with these principles, after having obtained
the highest honors Of their alma mater. 80
forth 10 all parts of our country to ditfuse
their benign Influence and Instruct the pea
ole in mind and morals. These principles
compel the young men at the Uni
versity to attend upon religious ex-
ercises, which are regularly performed by the
different Christian denominations, with far
more benefit than if their attendance were
com pulsory, as witnessed by the young
mems large Christian Association of the
University Of Virginia. Our colleges have
been built up and rendered prosperous by
professors educated at the University, whilst
the plIn of instruction Of the latter has been
adopted in most Of them within the sphere
OF their instruction, which, of course, is
more limited. Our highest schools, and many
of our free schools, are chiefly taught by
University graduates. The Interests, then,
Of our State institution and of our colleges
and high schools are really not opposed or
hostile, but Identical, and whatever will pro.
mote the prosperity of the one will advance
the Interests OF the others. Is 1t not
strange, then, that any OF the colleges
or their professors should seek to strike
down the University and all of the tran
scendcnt interest Of the State aud the peo-
pie in it from the ABSURD and selfish belief
: hot no nj
trimenta to the interest of the others, whilst
the one has done more to promote the in
terests aud prosperity OF the others than any
other power in the land: Why, then, attach
the proVso to the bill that only graduates Of
colleges or young men over twenty years OF
age SHALL be admitted into the University,
thus destroying forever the mighty source
from which the colleges have drawn their
support! Young men who have attended
the colleges for three or four years will not
have the time nor the means then to 60 10
the University. They will thus be forced to
60 out into the business. world without hay
Ing attained to that high grade Of education
which a great State University only can af-
ford them. The same may be said OF those
over twenty years old.
Most young men compl tie their education
at twenty or tWenty-one years; and but few
would be willing or able to enter the Uni.
versty at that age to commence that highest
education to complete which it must re-
qure several years OF arduous mental labor.
! Thus, doubtless more than three fourths OF
| the young men of Virginia who would at
| tend the University were it not for this alb.
| surd and ruin0us proviso would be de-
| barred from its great benefits, and the small
number who would attend would not be
sufficient to induce the Legislature 10 renew
the appropriation. So millions of d@lars
will be lost to the State, and thorough
| education to her young men, who
will soon be forced to go North to be
educated, whilst northern teachers would
again be imported 10 instruct our youth on
puritaDic morality and the superficial learn
| ing Of their schools. Is there college pro-
fessor so blinded by sell-interest in his own
| immediate charge who supposes that such
college can compete with our great State
| University, aud Who is unable 10 see that the
light that daily and yearly flows from the
latter eXerts its benign and enlightening in
1uence upon the former to make them more
useful and prosperous? Is there legislator
so Influenced by local and selfish con.idera-
tons as to aid in giving so fatal blow to
the University and TO Virginia as such pro.
viso, if passed, would inaict? Great will be
the responsibility of such one who would
have the hardihood to destroy the last and
greatest bequest of the immortal Jefferson to
his couutrymeu-the University of Vir.
ginia-the upholder Of the highest education
OF man, and thus of his civil and religious
liberty. . JUSTICE.