Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-09-20
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON.
Mr.. Charles Broadway Rouss' Mes
sage to the University.

Through His represented AugIstineJ Jacqueltne
Smith, of Winchester, Va
From the August (Restoration) number
of the Alumni Bulletin of the University
of Virginia we take the following;
esteem it great honor to be invited
to take part in the ceremonies of this
great occasion, and especially as the rep
resentative of that world-famed merchant
and philanthropist whose big heart and
broad conception of duty have been able,
amidst absorbing commercial activities.
to reach above and beyond the selfish al
1urements of wealth, which too often lead
to narrowness and sordid boarding, and
rising to the higher plane of intellectual
and moral inspirations, which elevate and
ennoble, has been willing to give of his
honest earnings and bounteous generosi-
ty, rich offering to a great and honored
educational institution of our land, for
the welfare of his fellow man.
I, with others, had hoped, up to the1ast
moment of my departure from New York
for this historic spot, that Mr. Rouss
could be persuaded to be present with
you to-day, in all the unpretending and
kindly individuality of that unique per-
sonalty which has made his name
household word in every Southland home,
and one of respect, in every section of the
land; but, as feared, when the time for
departure came, the eHgencies of a large
and multifarious business, with its exact
ing methods forbade that he should alb
sent himself for even the few hours re-
quired for the journey.
Thus, my friends, you are asked to ac-
cePt, not substitute, for there is no sub
stitute to be found for Charles B. Rouss,
but a representative, in the person of one
who has been a lifelong friend, and who
for several years has been his trusted
counsellor and advisor. 1 am here, then,
at his request, to acknowledge his appre-
citation of the courteous invitation extend
ed to him by the University authorities to
participate in the intellectual feast which
is always provided for these annual oc-
casions, and to express his regret that he
could not be permitted to enjoy it.
Perhaps it is known TO most, if not to
all of you, that Mr.. Rouss has been totally
blind for several years past; and while
this affliction would ofcourse deprive him
of that enjoyment which comes of physi-
cal sight, yet the scope of intellectual
vision is much more extended and pene-
trating. It is through this wondrous me-
dium that the entire business of his great
house is carried on, to the smallest min
utiae, for he does not permit anyone to
usurp his place as the supervisor and con-
troller of the great commercial enterprise
which has made his success the marvel of
the great metropolis, where he stands in
the front rank. While, therefore, he
would not. if here, be able to look out
upon the beautiful material surroundings
which feast our eyes in their multitudinous
forms of attractIveness while he would
not be able to behold the substantial and
stately building Rouss Physical
Laboratory-whic bears his name by
the kind act of the University authorities;
while he would not be able to look into
your faces and receive therefrom the
kindly greeting expressed there, he could
which came up from every heart in this
vast assemblage, and he could listen with
intellectual appreciation to the Interest
ing and instructive proceedings of this
[ occasion, and thus be placed in close
touch and throbbing sympathy with his
entire environment. AS it is, he will as
far as possible, be forced to see through
my eyes. He expects me to visit and in
spect, by the invitation of the Board OF
Trustees, the building which bears his
honored name, and it will give him
pleasure to hear from me, on my return,
that have observed critically every part
of the structure in which he has taken so
great interest, and that, through his gen
erous gift, building, handsome in de-
sign, ample in its ARCHITECTURAL proportions
and in every way satisfactory to those
who are competent to pass judgment and
to use it, has been erected, which will
stand, as long as the great University
shall live, as the spot and place where its
| learned professors shall unfold to earnest
inquirers, through all time, knowledge of
the physical sciences in all their beautiful
and marvellous manifestations.
I might stop here and, in a narrow
sense, feel that my message had been
given and my duty ended; but I think
should add that this University has no
truer friend than Mr.: Rouss. He is so,
because he has always favored the great
est scope and utmost freedom of educa-
ton, and the unfettered and unrestrained
liberty of human reason, and, with these,
free knowledge, free thought, free speech,
and free press, and to all questions, with
in, of course, the orderly restraints of
recognized law. 1t is because of the
broad Jeffersonian, University element
in the educational system found here
which attracted his consideration for this
University in its hour of dire calamity.
His gift was not one of mere accidental
or meaningless philanthrophy, but one
which came of familiarity with the history
of this institution through the whole
period of his life Without liberal and
progressive features embodied and in
grained in its educational scheme, not
one dollar would he have given to it. No
personal influence, from any quarter,
however potent. would have been of the
slightest avail as against his convictions
thus expressed. AS it is, he recognizes
with pride the great work you are doing.