The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-28
MONDAY. OCTOBER %. 1895.
BUENING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
VIRGINIA.


in Virginia. save the Capitol itself could
have given such shock to the people
of the whole state as they felt upon the
announcement that the rotunda and main
building Of the University had been laid
in ashes The devotion OF our people to
fhoir University. and their pride In IL.
mas been such as to set that precious
precinct apart free from any contami-
mating touch of politics. except for one
brief and lamcntable period. high above
the plane on which religious controver-
sizes are wagcd. and to dedicate 1t sacred
ly to the arts. sciences, and humanities.
The last object OF the anxious care of the
immortal Jefferson-one on which he be-
slowed his ripest experience, and with
which he preferred his name TO be Assoc
ciatod-,hc University has been kept al
ways I'm touch with the poople-has been
open TO them as a place where the AFRO
gance Of wealth and pride Of birth counted
for little i'm comparison with the merit
OF the individual
1t is doubtful If as pure democracy
OF the highest and best type ever existed
anywhere i'm such perfection as has ever
been found at the University Of Virginia.
The snObbcTy and extravaganza Of north
orn colleges IS unknown there. while the
honor and integrity of it's students is
matter Of wonder. If not of incredulity. to
those who have been accustomed 10 see
students watched ana treated as if they
were unworthy Of confidence. 1t IS a
notable fact. and greatly to the honor OF
the University. that its high standard of
scholarship. es well as of integrity, is
making itself felt in other institutions
much more pretentious in the number of
their students. the spaciousness of their
buildings. and the magnitude of their en-
dowments. and that northern colleges and
universities are now striving to introduce
as a great Improvement that high charac-
ter among their students which is a mat
ter of course at the University of Nir-
ginia.
The influence OF this lofty spirit has
been shown in the conduct of the stu
dents of the University on all occasions.
but especially In that trial of battle which
tested the different kinds of men from
1861 TO 1850. Let us compare the men OF
the University of Virginia with those OF
Harvard College. Massachusetts. In that
trial the record of the University of Nir-
ginia is without parallel Largely more
than one-half of her COS students of the
session 1SCo-'6i volunteered In the Confed-
crate army in the spring of 1861. while but
seven,y-three Of the sSS at Harvard Uni
Versity Joined the Federal army. Within
the fifteen years before the war. includ-
ing both 1917 and 1851. there were 1890
students at Harvard and there were bet
100 Harvard men in the Federal army, of
whom 155 lost their lives. I'm the same
period there were GOO students at the
University Of Virginia. and there were
more than 1000 OF its students in the
Confederate army. of whom more than
Az lost their lives In the war. The au-
thortics Of the University of Virginia
have been unable To trace a considerable
number. and they are supposed, there
fore, TO have died in battle or of disease.
They have. however. located 800 Of the
900 a noble record of heroic patriotism.
Is " to be wondered at that the alma
mater Of these men is beloved through
out this Commonwealth?
How the University is appreciated out
side OF Virginia is demonstrated not only
by the number of students from beyond
her borders who attend her lectures but
the most munifccnt bcncfac;ions she has
received have come from others than Viz
sinans and since the war Prior TO 1865
the gifts made to the University. and CON
shutting no part OF its permanent endow-
ment. amounted TO only SG6.l00. and this
included $4,000 OF general subscriptions
made before 1870 to Central College"
which was the germ from which the
University sprung; also. the $4,000 from
MIR. Martin Dawson. with which Daw-
sons Row was built AMI $1,000 with which
was bought Balze's copy OF Raphaels
School of Athens" the ornament OF the
Public Hall" and yesterday destroyed.
But since 1866. 81. 0al 900 have been given 10
the University. and nearly nine-tenths by
outsiders. The principal parts Of this
great sum were $4,000 given by Mr. Lewis
Brooks. OF Rochester. ~ Y; $500 by Mr..
Lcander Mccormick, OF Chicago: about
Sf1oOO by Mr.. Arthur W. Austin of
Dedham. Mass. ir remainder after GER
tain life interests. and over 10000 by Mr..
Daniel H. Fayerweather OF New York
OF this total $4,000. given principally by
MIR Samuel Miller and Mr.. W. w Cor
coran, $4,000 each. has been invested TO
secure fixed endowments for special
chairs.
These gifts. though large and very
gratifying as indicating the great os-
TEEN In which the University is held.
are but small compared with the endow-
ments and income Of dozen colleges and
universities in the United States There
"a an ever-increaang necessity for rich
endowments TO enable the University to
hold It's own against the splendid equip
mcnts OF r1val institutions.
The destruction yesterday viii be re-
paired, but we hope the buildings will not
auiy be made nre-proof. but that the ap-