The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-26
Pass II.

| ~ UC LutkOo " hC D'cP"tS''
At an early day the Legislature will be
asked to pass bill in which every Virgnian
ought to feel deeply interested. Not only
Vireinians. but intelligent men from the
Potomac to the Rio Grande arc interested
In il. We do not hesitate to pronounce it
the most important bill that has yet come be-
fore this session Of the Legislature. 1t is
bill which ought to have been passed long
ago; which every consideration of patriotism
and political prudence demands shall be no
longer delayed. We mean the bill for in
creasing the aid afforded by the State TO the
University of Virginia.
1t is impossible to estimate the value Of the
University to the State of Virginia. Its
foundation by Mr.. Jefferson was an act Of
consummate political wisdom. 1t is shame
that Virginia allows it to want so severely.
It will be the glory Of this Legislature to re-
move its financial disabilities, and bid it, in
the centennial year of American independ-
ence. rise and accomplish more grandly still
| its mission of bene6ceuce.
We arc told that Virginia must pay her
debts first. That is true. Let that spirit
never waue-that sentiment never die.
But economy does not always mean re-
trenchment. There are times when to CUT.
tail expenditures is to commit an act of self.
destruction. True craftsmanship will dis.
tinpuish between what is needless and what
is necessary to the public prosperity, and it
will at once see that Virginia owes debt to
the University which she cannot fail to pay
without rejecting on the intelligence of her
people and seriously impairng one of the
most influential sources of her prosperity.
The University has become an essential part
Of Virginia. 1t is linked inseparably with
her history. 1t cannot 90 down without in.
yolying the whole State In the reproach OF
its failure. To suffer it to want as it does is
confession of moral and Intellectual bank
ruptcy which ne hope Virginans will make
no longer.
We are reminded that the University is an
immoral place. A gentleman said to us not
long ago "It is dangerous to send young
man to the University Of Virginia." That
is serious charge. If it can be sustained it
will bee the honor of Virginia legislation
speedily to abolish the institution. But never
was 2 charge more glarinsly untouuded.
Ask those who have lived there, as I'VE have
ask men who know the institution, and who
would not for their life sanction anything by
which public morals could be corruptcd; eX-
anime lis admirable system OF moral aSen-
cies live there and breathe Its atmosphere,
and enter the charmed sphere of its il huence,
and you will, as we do, Indignantly deny the
Charge. We venture the assertion that there
is US much piety Of the noblest type and
more Christian activity at the University OF
Virginia than at any similar institution OIL
learning in the land. On this ground there
need be no hesitation. ...
| We are told that the University is under
denominational influence. We deny it most
emphaticaIly. 1t is State institution. 1t
has seventeen professors. OF these five are
Presbyterian, one Methodist, one Baptist,
six Episcopalians, and four not members of
any church. Cbaplains are regularly elected
every two years from these several churches
in succession. We never lived at place
which was freer from denominational in.
tluences. There is less dogmatism and more
lberality than at any similar place that we
ever saw. ....
Something must be done for the UniYer.
sity. We do not know whether the pro-
posed bill will meet the demand or not. We
suppose It will, or it would not receive the
attention of the Legislature. But we do
know this, that Virginia ought not to let
such men as compose the faculty of the Uni
Verslty almost starVe at their posts. If learn.
ing constitutes an element of national
strength and the proudest ornament of ma
tonal glory-if education has anything to do
In the Improvement OF people and culture
is essential to ciylization-then are such men
as toll from year to year in the literary
workshops at Charlottesville worth support.
ing?
This old Commonwealth cannot afford to
let such men fly from her soil because the
question Of support can be solvedin no other
way. Yet We know that there are men at
the University of Virginia getting barely
enough to live upon who could command
double the salaries they receive, and have
been offered great inducements to leave, but
who reject all, and battle with the embar-
easements of the situation solely for the sake
Of the institution. They love Virgins, and
are making sacrifices for her. From year to
year they have hoped the State would relieve
them, and not pursue the suicidal policy of
letting the grandest institution of learning in
America GO down for want Of money.
Messrs. Editors, we feel the deepest solicit
tude about this matter. We have no interest
in the University but that which every Vir-
giniau has. 1t belongs to Us all. Yirginians
are willing to support it. There is, perhaps,
not constituency in the State that would
by popular voice condemn that bill were it
rightly advocated. Pass the bill. Help the
University. rises. 5. &. STEEL.
| Richmond January 1874