The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-17
HARSH WORDS FOR
; THE UNIVERSITY.
A Boston Professor Charges Students
With immortality.
He NOW DENIES THE ASSERTION.
University Men Deny the Charges and
He Says He Has Been Misquotcd
and is Sorry What Hc Said
Gave offence.
He NOW DENIES THE ASSERTION.

cast reflections upon the moral charac-
ter OF the students Of the university OF
Virginia, has caused much natural re
sentiment among the countless 1ilehns 81
this great institution Prof Sedgwick
remarks were read with tea utmost sur
prise. His charge as published. against
the students as a body vas regarded as
81 rroposterons-so utterly lacking IN
truth--that the many prominent men ~
Washington who were educated at inc
University Of Virginia we're ioath 10 De
iieve that he had been correctly report
ed A number OF these graduates, be
longing 10 the Alumni Association unit
cd in publishing a card in the sunday
Post, which Is here Teprodnced+
Editor POST A special dispatch from
Boston In this mornings issue Of your
esteemed paper states that Prof. Sedg-
wick. Of the Institute OF Tuhnology. in
an address on "The Moral Training Of
College and Institute life made the de-
claration that the University OF Virginia,
though long famed for its honor sys-
tenn In the examinations. IS also famed
for SIS immortality and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and
so we must conclude that they 0he stu
dents are moral only in spots"
We do not wish to charge this lecturer
with intentional and deliberate SANDER.
We are willing to believe that he has
either feen decevd OF Is ignorant Of the
import OF his words. In behalf Of those
who have sons ~ the University or who
Contemplate sending them there, we deny
absolutely the fact ne alleges. we as
sert that we are In a position 10 know
the facts we affirm. We have all been
students OF the University of Virginia at
different periods ranging from before
the war 10 time within the last, few
years and we have kept steadily in
touch with our alma mater. and know
her work. her standing and her reputa-
"a pffN =
the slightest foundation for such a repu-
tRtion a. is alluded 10 by Prof. Sedg-
wick. but also that such reputation
exists. We call upon Prof. Sedgwick 10
either establish his charge or retract II.
The accomplished proctor OF the Uni
versity. Col Thomas H. Carter. recently
declared to one Of us that I'm twelve
months he had not seen a single student
under the influence Of liquor and that n
more orderly community could not he
found than that composed Of the stu
dents OF the University nearly coo IN
number. At the last session II appeared
that more than one-haf Of the students
wire commandments OF some one OF the
various Christian denominations.
Thos. Nelson Page ~. A. Herbert. Gaze
move G. Ice. T.. T. MC1eiland. Ran |
doiph ri. MKim. rector Of Epiphany
church Leigh Robinson. Holmes Con- |
rad. f. l. Renick Robert w. Hunter,
r. l. Preston. BENZ Mfcou. John st. |
9. Rrookcs. Clarence Thomas. w. H. |
Wilmer w. RI. Saunders, Louis c. |
Greene
Washington. n. c.. Jan. H. 1880
DID NOT MEAN 1T AS AN ATTACK.
The Post telegraphed Prof. Sedgwick I
asking tho basis OF his attack upon the |
University and telling him that his pub /
iished statements were strongly denied |
here. In reply he sent the following |
message:
Boston. Mass. Jan a.
To the Post Washington. D. G.:
Have said nothing against University
Of Virginia. Have only highest regard |
and respect for f. W. 7. SEDGWfCK.
The Posts correspondent at Boston.
upon being apprised Of this message
from Prof. Sedgwick, teiegraphed as fol-
lows:
Two newspaper reports agree that
Sedgwick accused University of Virginia
students OF corruption.
Later the correspondent wired that the
reporter who reported Prof. Sedgwicks
address was ready to make AFFIDAVIT that
he had reported his language correctly.
Thereupon the Post teiegraphed TO |
Prof. Sedgwick the text Of the dispatch |
Of Friday night. quoting him as follows.
and asked whether he had made such
statement
BOSTON, MASS. Jan. H.-Prof sedg-
I
spoke before the Massachusetts Moral
Education Association this afternoon on
"The Moral Training of College and In
sfitute Life"
"The University OF Virginia" he said,
has long been famed for its honor sys-
TEN IN the examinations. and IL would
seem. on the face of Il, that the Southern |
students are more honorable than their
Northern brothers. who, In general are
subject 20 the strict supervision OF in
structors I'm the examination halls. But
what do we flnd7 The University of |
Virginia is also famed for its immortality |
and RIGHTEOUSNESS. and 80 we must con-
ciude that they arc moral only in spots.
In his opinion the Nirginians were
copying German methods
PROF. SEDGWICKS EXPLANATION.
His reply was received late Saturday !
night as follows;
Boston. Mass. Jan "A. 1859.
The Post. Washington. ID. c.
First sentence approximately correct,
but did not say famed for its immoral !
ity and RIGHTEOUSNESS Did not say !
"they are moral only IN spots" Spoke
without notes. hence cannot give exact
words but tried 10 say. substantially
that though careful as TO examinations,
they might stiH be guilty Of other moral
defects Last sentence was we" mean
Ing people in general are moral only in
spots. do not say 'they. very sorry
II gave bad impression. Have good
friends at University and I'm Virginia,
ana would not knowingly SANDER them.
Think the University one OF our noblest
American institutions.
w. 7. sEDGw1CK.
The substance OF Prof. Sedgwick's ex-
PLANTATION was telegraphed TO the Univer-
sity of Virginia yesterday with re-
quest for an expression from the insti-
tuition regarding II. The following was
received last night:
University Of Virginia. Jan. IS.
The Post. Washington, II. G.;
II Prof Sedgwick disavows reported !
itterances, as implied in your telegram ,
y 18th, University Of Virginia, while de-
1iOring the occurrence. has nothing 10
iay J
Before dropping matter. should prefer / 1
o have statement directly from Prof.
which | have taken pains 10 |
eQuest. Il. b. BARRiNGER,
Chairman Of Faculty University or Vir-
gtnia-
Here the matter stands for the present 9
There is no doubt that I'm addition to '
learinG from the Chairman OF the facul- q
Y. requesting a further explanation OF J
Iis address Prof. Sedgwlck will hear =
rom many other prominent people, IL all
octions OF the country who viii feel
hat his address. even In It's modified
orm. was a SANDER upon the famous | =
University OF Virginia !