The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-02-24
cnce; 3. Bachelor of Arts; 6. Mas

ence; D. Bachelor OF Arts: d. Mas
ter of Arts.
Professional degrees. Bachelor
of Law; 2. Doctor of Medicine; 8.
Civil Engineer; 4. Mining Engineer.
THE DISCIPLINE
OF the institution is based on nut
tual trust and confidence be-
tween the authorities and the
students. In ali cases manly prin-
ciples Of sell-contrOl are appealed
TO. No system Of surveillance is
employed. The regulations are as
few rs possible, and the imposition
Of artificial restraints is avoided.
The statement of students in all
transactions. with the authorities,
are received on honor; and in the
written examinations, though the
examiners are always i'll the room
when the examination is held,
they rely upon the certificate
which each student is required TO
give with his examination pa
pers, to the effect that he has
neither given or received assistance.
The good effect of this appeal TO the
students honor and the abolition of
espionage in imbuin9 the body Of
the students with the spirit
of truth and candOr, and i'll pro-
noting q frank and manly inter-
course between the students and
professors cannot be too higly esti-
mated. 1t cultivates manlinesss and
rears true men, whether for private
or public station.
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES
are in the charge of chaplain, who
is not a university officer, but simply
the pastor of the faculty and stu
dents. The chaplain is elected every
two years from one of the four lead
ing denomination in the state, the
Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodist
and Episcopalian. Attendance on
the morning prayers, and the Sun
day services is entirely voluntary.
In this connection | mention the plan
proposed by Mr.. Jefferson, to pro-
vide for lectures on theology, con-
sistently with the views of the COM
plete separation of church and
state. This was to induce the diff
| ferent denominations to found
schools of theology with the uniyer-
sites, by offering to the students of
| these schools special advantages in
connection with the university selec-
lions, and the free use of all the cabi-
nets, apparatus and libraries. The
enactments extending this invita-
ton still remain on the statute
book but no denomination has
availed itself of its privileges.
Failing in this. the selection of the
chaplain, was the next best, and the
only thing which could be done,
And while il may be said
with all truth, TO be free,
entirely so, from sectarian bias
and ecclesiastical control. to have
completely severed itselffrOm every
/ thing like church denomination, yet
no Institution has done more for
| the dissemination of sound morality
and Christian piety.
A late chairman OF The faculty
said "fhe University of Virginia
for fifty years has shown itself to be
emlnently adapted TO the wants OF
Virginia and the South. Its plan
has been adopted in most of it's de.
tails by a number of colleges and
universities. The success of uni
vursity is to be estimated by the
thoroughness and extent Of the
instruction in specialties and of the
| general culture which it gives: by
the cultivation through its discipline
of a spirit of truthfulness and man.
ly candor by the inculcation through
its authorized religious exercises; 6
spirit of earnest worship and rever.
ence for religionj by keeping high
standard of Christian morality. and
by the encouragement of Christian
union and activity; in benevolent
enterprises, by the maintenance of q
high standard of scholarship among
the people, and by its vitalizine
power upon all the institutions sub.
| ordinate, or otherwise, which came
within the area of its influence.
Judged by all these criterla the
University of Virginia, with its
broad, open elective system
is great success. In the
last view it is the great cen
trail heart, sending the warm life
blood through the noble colleges
and high schools-wedged to the
humblest primary school within its
borders, impressing on all its life
principle of thorough, honest work
Nor is this influence confined to the
state. 1t has made Virginia the great
/ school of the south and southwest
and has welded powerfully persua
siye influence by ITS example and
through its alumni on the great sec,
ton Of the republic"