The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-07-21
VTRGINIA7S PRIDE.
HOW JEFFERSON FOUNDED THE RE.
NOWNED UNIVERSITY.

He Desired the Great Educational Instt
tutions, the Press aud the Books to be
of American Origin, and Permeat with
the Spirit OF Her Independence.
The dedication recently of the new
buildings Of the ancient and renowned
University of Virginia, the alma mater
of SO many distinguished men of the
south recalls an historical event as well
as that severe Jacksonian simplicity
which was so characteristic OF the
early days of the Republic. On q
bright sunny day now about eighty
years ago, there was quaint village
meeting in the little town ofCharlottes-
Vile. The old men Of the place had
met to consult about the best means OF
reviving a modest country school
where many of those present had re-
ceived whatever education they pos
sessed. The school itself was an
American edition of Dotheboys' Hall
without the disagreeable Mr.. Squeers
and was ambitiously termed the AL.
bemarle Academy. Those at the vii.
aage meeting were resolved to provide
an institution worthy Of the rapidly
growing wants of the State of Virginia
but were at loss how to proceed in
affecting that purpose.
The meeting was about to adjourn
without accomplishing anything when
some one present espied, afar of on
the mountain slope, the form of man
on horseback. He was rapidly coming
towards the village and as he ap-
preached proved to be an accomplished
rider, mounted on a magnificent thor
oughbred, and wearing one of those
broad brimmed hats SO much worn by
country gentlemen of that day, and
which used to be in our own day the ia.
vorite headgear ofthe late Carter H. Har.
Tison, Of Chicago. The rider was al
once recognized as he came within
nearer view as the Sage Of Monticello
Let us consult Mr.. Jefferson" said
one Of those present.
&, JEFFERSON had now approached those
present. He dismounted and tied his
horses reins to the railing with the
same easy and uncermonious freedom
as he had formerly tied the same to
ehe palisades of the White House on
fhe occasion Of his Inauguration. The
people gathered around their neighbor
with much less awe, and with feeling
OF equality and fewer marks of demon.
steation than they would probably ex.
hibit in the case of an ex-President to.
day.
Thomas Jefferson took in the situa.
Sion in a moment, and unscrewing the
top Of his cane he opened its three
parts which thus formed the legs of
stool, and seating himself upon this in.
genfous contrivance listened attentive.
ly to the various arguments for the
renovation Of the local Academy. Upon
hearing all that had been said and
thanking them for the honor done him
by consulting his views in the matter.
Jefferson at once urged them to dis
card the idea Of reviving the old school,
Out to at once convert their paltry
academy into a college. He urged
them to give 1t such a character as
would rebound not only to the credit OF
aheir own county of Albemarle, but to
that of the entire state of Virginia
This unexpected proposal took the en-.
tire meeting by surprise. 1t was far
beyond the range of vision of the plain
farmers and village people assembled
and who with the old College of Will.
liam and Mary before their minds
eye, hardly saw the necessity of taxing
the new commonwealth even for such a
worthy purpose. 1t was a proposal SO
startling that some at once blamed
Jeferson's years of official life at the
Capitol for what appeared a novel ex-
pertinent. But those present had much
respect for Jefferson's views and when
he subscribed $1,000. suggested that
eight of his neighbors would do like
wise. they hesitated no longer. In
their official capacity as trustees they
passed resolutions favoring the pro-
iect, and the work was successfully
launched. A literary fund was now
created by the act of the legislature. II
consisted Of the proceeds from certain
escheats, forfeitures and fines and from
which source, together with some ar.
fears ofpublic money due from the Unit.
ed States to Virginia and special fund
of $780, 900, gave substantial endowment
to the University. Jefferson and the
early founders of the University were
now in a position to go ahead. Accord.
ingly low ceiled, white-washed room
of a modest country inn in Rockford
Gap saw Jefferson, Madison and Mon.
roe sitting on split bottom chairs OF
home make, devising means whereby
tAis university which was intended tc
promulgate American ideas and to off,
set Harvard. could proceed successfully
upon its mission. Such were the
scenes and simplicity. such the pur.
pose and the businesslike character Of
the early village meeting which called
into existence one of the great educa-
tional Institutions Of the country.
It was not initiated like the medieval
universities of Europe for the spread
of imperial views, nor endowed like