The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-16
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER, lc. 1891.
WELCOME 10 PRESIDENT WILSON


The Inauguration of the Hon. William
l.. Wilson as president Of Washington
and Lee University is am event Of no lit
tie movement In the history Of Virginia
educational Institutions. and it was but
meet and right that it should have been
made the occasion Of great rejoicing at
Lexington. 1t is the return OF great
scholar and educator 20 his first love and
TO the work for which he is so peculiar
ly httod, after a temporary absence in
helping to carry on the affairs Of national
government
Mr.. Wilson is a born teacher and
scholar of high attachments The educa-
tion Of young men IS a work for which
he is peculiarly fitted and has been with
him work Of love
But his countrymen called him away
from the school-room to serve them in
great crisis al the National Capitol. and
manfully. intelligcntly, and periodically
did he discharge that trust
His first great fight was for the Demo
cratic principle of tariff for revenue only,
and when that fight was successfully fin
ished, his brother Democrats were so en-
. Unused with the grand speech which he
made In favor of his bill. that they took
him upon their shoulders and bore him
in triumph around the Congressional
Hail.
When that work was done he was call
ed by President Cleveland TO serve in the
Cabinet and his administration Of the
postal affairs Of this country was able
and successful
When he retired from the Cabinet Mr.
Wilson had attained a national reputa-
ton and hattering offers were made TO
him at the North. positions of honor with
large pecuniary cmolumcnts. But when
called to the presidency OF a Virginia
college. he laid aside AN nattering offers
Of another character and decided to re-
turn 10 the school-room and to cast ais
lot with the people of Old Virginia.
he is "a native born Nirsman. for
when he was born the old state had
not been divided. He was born on Vir-
einia soil. he was educated at Virginia's
University. and IL was from Virginia
that he marched away 20 the war. We
welcome him back.
We welcome him not only as scholar
and educator. but as high-minded pa
triot. who has always been true TO his
convictions, true to the principles of
Democracy. true TO the best interests OF
his country man who carried character
into politics. who placed honesty above
eXpediency and who rctires from the
POLITICAL field where he was a most ac-
tive participant without a blot upon his
record
In addition to an this, Mr. Wilson has
shown M his official life that ne Is a man
Of fine executive ability. adding TO his
scholarly attainments the practical quail
ncatons OF the man of affairs. As
man Of character as "a true patriot, as an
accomplish scholar. as a man of affairs,
as a man Of executive ability. he Is pre-
eminentIy htted Tor the position 10 which
he has been called and we count IL a
fortunate thing. not only Tor Washington
and leo University, but for the educa-
tonal interests or Virginia that he is
10 preside over one of our leading edu-
cational institutions.
we hope that this VIII be mis- life work
that his useful life may be spared FOR
many years and that his distinguished
career may close IN peace and honor in
those sacred precincts whence the saint
cd spirit of Nirsinla's greatest hero took
its everlasting flight.