The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-03-24
Mr.. ROUSS' GENEROUS GIFT.
lie EnCIOses a Check for $4,000 to
The University of Virginia.

Charles Broadway ROuss, the mil
lionaire merchant and philanthropis,
of New York city, has ust sent a
check for so. 900 to the Board of Ms
itors of the University of Virginia,
for the completion the physical lab
oratorv to which object he had made
a previous gift Of S25. 900. In his
letter conveying the check Mr.. Rouss
gives expression to some mani Y and
patriotic sentiments, cminentlv char
| acteri>tic of the man, which we print
in full. He says:
| '.Carrying ont my promise made
several months ago, / hereby send
YOU my check for so, 900, the appro-
priation of which YOU will under
stand. but which | will here state.
Having been informed that the S25,-
900 previously donated by me was
not sufficient to complete the physi-
cal laboratory building which bears
my name and unwilling to permit
any one else to have part in a work
which | consider to be my special
privilege. | desire so much of the
sum sent as may be needed to be
used in Iiquidating the balance due
on the cost Of the building, the re-
mainder to be added to the equip
ment fund.
Il regret to observe through the
Virginia papers that there is dspo-
sltion on the part of some members
of the Legislature to curtail the an
nual appropriation to the university.
Because Of its great name as an edu-
cational institution and university it
has always not only been the pride CT
Virginia, but of the entire South
land. a very large proportion of the
men from that section who have at
tanned eminence in the councils of
the nation and fame in the fields of
literature and education are proud
to point to the university as their
alma mater, and in its breadth and
depth and scope of educational con-
ception and possibilities, under the
direction of teachers thoroughly
equipped for the great work in hand,
it is not outranked anywhere but can
claim peership with any in the known
world. 1t is to be hoped, therefore,
that the Legislature of Virginia will
rather increase than diminish the aid
annually contributed to the univer-
sity. That institution has done n
noble work in the past; let us help
her to do, if possible, a greater work
in the future.
1T may not be impairment in this
connection to correct the erroneous
statements which have found ex-
preston recently in the public press
that | would refuse to give anything
more to the university because Mr.
Bryan had been invited to deliver an
address last session before the liter
airy societies of the institution. How
unjust such a suggestion. Can it
be possible that, with my lifelong
demand for free thought and free
press. as loyal disciple of Thomas
Jefferson, your great founder,
should be charged at this late day
with possessing such narrow views
as would deny to others that freedom
of opinion and action which | have
always claimed for myself? No,
rather might it have been said with
truth that it is because of the fact
that the university scheme opens
the door of free discussion to all
creeds, political. social and religious
which has commended it to my pat
ronage. When the day comes that |
truth is not permitted to stand the |
test of intellectual analysis and the
of reason, then indeed |
may humanity shudder, while false
teachers rob mankind of rights di-
vinely vouchsafed for placing civili-
zation upon true and impregnable
No: away with such
sentiments, say |. Truth
asks no favOrs. and reason. that di-
vine guide, will blaze the pathway of
knowledge throughout all the fields
of science by signals so unerring as
to leave no one in darkness"