The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-06-28

themselves the unrec0gnlZed gilt or
cultured thought, and are saved from
ravage and pillage only by the con-
servative wisdom of the educated
man.
have dwelt 30 far upon the appeal
which the university makes to the
higher elements of intellectual activ-
ity. We must not forget, however,
that she addresses also the finest of
our ethical motives. The Persian
mcralist Hatiz says of one of his char
acters, "She believes that by dealing
nobly with all, all will shew them
selves noble" Upon this postulate
the college bases her theorems Con-
corning honor and veracity, her rules
for the conduct OF academic life.
L at least know no human calling,
no trade, no profes sion, whose ethical
system is so pure and exalted, so re- ,
llgiously observed, and promptly vim
dicated as that Of heightened univer- ,
sity. AT her very portal she says to
the entering scholar:
'If you were born to honour shew it now.
II put upon you, make the judgment good
That thought you worthy oft.
His intercourse with instructors and
fellow students is conducted upon
principles of absolute veracity. The
slightest breach OF truth condemns
the offender to immediate and ire.
yocable exclusion from this society,
Thus she teaches fidelity to the high
law, both by the sweetness of her an.
proving smile and the terrors of her
offended wrath. The habit of life
thus developed is ore of which the
man never divests himself. In poIi.
tics, at the bar, in The medical pro.
fesslOn, i'll business, he stands for
cleanness and honesty, and is the
hated toe of the hribing lobbyist. the
unjust Judge, the quack, and the
cheat.
OF all the contributions to education
made by that wonderful and versatile
genius who founded my own Alma
Mater, this "honor system" in gov-
eminent seems to me the greatest,
When Thomas Jefferson organized
the discipline OF the University of
Virginia in the spirit which "oues.
toned whether fear after a certain
age is motive to which we should
have ordinary recourse, - and declared
mat the human character is suscep.
title OF other indictments to CORRECT
conduct more worthy of employ and
OF better effect" and even planned
his buildings so that espionage was
impossible, he introduced into collie.
glate government a most potent, puri-
flying and uplifting influence. 1t has
already extended itself through the
South, and is rapidly working its way
North aad West. 1t is not bounded
by the walls of the college campus,
but follows college men into the world I
and makes political and professional !
and commercial life more clean and !,
wholesome. The college serves the 4
state in no mean way when it sends
out annual classes Of young men after
the Jeffersonian model-"worthy in
themselves, valuable members of
society, and fit successors of their
fathers in the government of their
country.n
The true University IS thus simply
a center OF scientific illumination and
foc1s OF useful learning; but by liz in.
trinsic and indwelling spirit it teaktes
men to live for and in ideas, and in,Dll-
Gates the voluntary subsection of Ne
heart to the dictates OF honor. lin,
these directions we find its most lex
tended and enduring services to the
state. If by these means it puriies
politics, ennobles social life; dignifies
the learned professions, sobers legis-
latlon, stimulates reform. enriches the
literature Of our epoch, enlightens the
popular intelligence, and refines the
public taste, who shall claim that it
is unworthy OF public and private sup
port?
Young gentlemen who today are
graduated from this seat of learning,
L welcome you into great traturnitpss
the brotherhood ofcollegemen. FosJ
we are all brothers by virtue of our Z
training, our convictions, our hopes. {
Life may have in store for you many
triumphs, but not sweeter to
your hearts than the applause
of your fellows and the benediction of
your alma mater upon this, your
graduating day. Great successes may
be yours hereafter, brt for none will
your pulses thrOb more strongly than
in the pride and pleasure of this SUI
preme hour. | think l know your
hearts and believe that / may speak
for you to all this waiting audience, y
and say that you leave this home of
learning, not only crowned with hon
ors but filled with noble resolve to
pursue the real and abiding rather
than the transient, TO accept with
truth and right no compromise, to
keep unstained the chastity of per.
sonal honor. VI
If these things be in you and abound
then you have indeed tasted
of the true university spiriA
Permit me to conclude thu
address by reciting to you short
stanza from the noble eulogy of late
English scholar and thinker, himself
poet, by a poet friend as q fine ex-
preston of this spirit:
For he preserved from chance control
The fortress of his Established soul.
In all things sought to see the whole,
Brooked no disguise
But set his heart upon the goal
Not on the prize"
Diplomas, titles, riches, offices ar,
the mere prizes of life. The goal is
thirst tor truth and ambition to at
tain it, love for the ideal and determi-
nation to pursue it, reverence for
honor and resolve to keep it spotless.
My brother, set thy heart upon the