The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-05
THE UNIVERSITY AGAIN.

In the last number of the Parkersburg
State Journal is lengthy editorial, char
acteristic alike for its lack of courteous
language and its mis-ststement of facts,
criticizing our remarks made some weeks
ago about the condition of the West Vir-
ginia University. In the first place, We
never found fault with the West Virginia
Conference for its action in refusing to
adopt resolution commendatory of the
University. On the contrary, we stated
most emphatically that We thought that
twas the wisest thing the Conference had
ever done in this direction, for the Uni
versity was not u sectarlan institution, and
it was exceedingly improper for any one
religious denomination to assume
patronizing attitude towards Univer-
sity that was exclusively State school,
and under no sectarian influence. 1t is
the duty fevery citizen of the State to
aid in building up this institution and
contributing to its prosperity-not as
Methodsts, Presbyterians, Baptists,
Episcopalians or Catholics, but as West
E'irginianS. Every taxpayer is a stock
holder in it, its benefits reach every citi-
zen, the humblest and poorest man in the
State having the same right to avail him.
self of the opportunities it presents for
educating his children, as the wealthiest
has Our State pride, if influenced by
no other consideration, should prompt us
to aid in elevating the West Viz
ginia University to position that,
when compared with similar institutions
in other States we would have no occa-
sion to be ashamed of ours. AS citizens
of the State we could have no higher
ambition.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, the author of the
Declaration of Independence, twice Pres
ident, and who had served his country at
home and abroad in every useful capac-
lty, regarded all the honors and titles
that the country could confer upon him
as nothing in comparison with the fact
that he had founded University for his
native State This was the browning act
of all his glorious services. And the Wis
itor to-day to the hallowed shades of Mon
ticello, where the dead, statesman sleeps
on an eminence overlooking the institu-
ton OF which he was the founder, will
find upon his tombstone the simple in
scription placed there by his own re.
quest, Founder of the University o:
Virginia" He well knew that when
his services to his country had been for
gotten, there would stand an everlasting
monument to his memory in the great
school which had he founded. And what
ever fame has been reflected upon the
old commonwealth in subsequent years
by the learning, scholarly Attachments
and craftsmanship of her sons, is in great
measure to be attributed to the success Of
Mr.. JEFFsRsoN's grand enterprise.
We feel that we have, if not greater,
at any rate an equal reason with our
cotemporary, the State Journal, to have
an interest in promoting the welfare of
our State institutions, and pride in be:
holding their success and prosperity. We
care native here and to the manor bOrn,'
and like the natives Of all mountain
regions have that love of country and at
tachment for our native heath, amount
ting sometimes to an undue and egotisti-
cal pride in whatever belongs to our State
that an adopted citizen cannot feel, and
especially one who has come from the
lowlands of another section in spirit of
adventure to gamble upon the political
fortunes of people.
Therefore we are willing and ready at
all times to contribute our mite toward
lifting our State University above the
arena of politics and sitting it of secta-
rianism, and thus place it in the way of a
career Of SO much usefulness that future
generations will rise up and call US bless.
ed for the good work done in our day.
We will say to our cotemporary in
conclusion, that when we desire to take
lessons in "dlgnifed journalism" we
claim the privilege Of selecting an in
structor who is himself learned in the art.