The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-11-30
Ihe Coaques. Of Wet virginia

went of from Virginia and set up In bust
ness on her own account as West Virginia.
The act Of separation was but the recogni'
ton Of q conspicuous fact Of long standing.
Virginia had been made up OF two peoples,
between whom there was an irepressible
conflict Of ideas, methods and aspirations.
1t helped the matter none with West Viz.
ginians to know that money raised from
them by taxation was literally devoted to
the advancement Of Eastern Virginia.
Eastern Virginia regarded herself as the
brains and the culture Of the State; in her
ewes Yves. Virginia was the raw append
area sort Of poor relation from the back
woods, fis to do chores, to hew wood and
draw wate:, but not genteel enough to sit
at the family table. This was the state Of
affairs which made separation and
autonomy agreeable to Western Virginia.
ide from the war question at the time in
volyed.
There we're among our people some
whose hearts chung to the Old Dominion.
Since We have no part in the burdensome
debt Of the old State, and being now SELL
governing people, there are those who
while rejoicing in the new, would re estab-
lish the old within it. The campaign has
opened and Is being conducted with a
measure Of success. Whether by accident
or design the first open assault has been
made on our highest institution OF learning
Old Virginia has charged our State Uni
yesity, carried our works and is now in
possession. It is by no means an undIs'
pnted possessien-a struggle is going on
within-but the flag Of the Old Dominion
with all that that means has been run up
in place Of the flag Of the new State Of new
ideaa
The University Of West Virginia, founded
to give to the young men OF the new State
the advantage OF higher education amid
home influences, established to promote
the welfare OF West Virginia, is ruled by
ileas and methods and men Of Old Viz
gInia. How soon this alien rule will end
in ruin is an inquiry OF interest to the peo-
pie Of West Virginia. That the institution
is not prospecting under the restored"
Dominion is apparent to everybody. It
has gone out over the State that the uni
yersity Ia in fact a Virginia, not
West Virginia, institution; that while
It Is in this State Il is Of another State
whose ways are not our ways nor ever
were. The old feeling Of antagonism is re-
yived by this invasion; the march OF con-
quest is marked with the naughty, un-
compromising bearing Of Old Virginia and
the quick and sharp resentment Of the
new. This Is not the result Of "yiolent
partisan newspaper assaults" itisa palpable
tacl; the State knows it, the people feel it
and the University suffers by it. Students
turn from 1t in disgust, snd the process Of
gradual collapse goes on.
The Regents see what has come OF Virgil
nianizing the University. They know that
in spite Of extraordinary efforts the attend.
ance is mucn less this year than 1t was last.
They must scent decay in the air. If they
mean well It is very unfortunate that they
are all Of one party and that the Old Wiz.
ginia element in the faculty Is with them
in that. But here Is a chance to lay politics
aside and do something for the University.
Begin by abollshipg the weak imitation OF
the University Of Virginia. Abolish the
Craftsmanship and restore the Presidency.
Get rid Of the Old Virginia dead-weights,
whom 1t will not be difficult to replace for
learning, character and influence for good.
You have failed in your imitation Of Old
Virginia. Try a more modern and better
model. Fill every vacant place with a
Democrat Il you will, but don't coniine
your selection to Virginia Bourbons Hap
PLY you can experiment with no fear Of
making the situation worse than 1t ia. You
might begin by retiring Chairman Berkeley,
who is too far from Charlottesville to be
entirely happy.