The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-06
THE WILSON MEMORIAL.
Present Status Of the Fund for Washington
and Lee University.

fEcSSut St6tuS Va kUS uiu tti
and Lee University.
Mr.. Herbert Welsh, treasurer of the
Wilson Memorial Fund which is especial
ly designed to aid Washington and Lee
University. in an article which recently
appeared in the New York Post, says:
Sir,-Will you kindly grant me space for
q statement in reference to the present
status and prospect OF the Wilson Me
mortal Fund, which is specially designed
10 aid Washington and Lee University
of Lexington. Va, in the noble and i'm
portant work which it has long carrlec
on and is now conducting with renewed
enthusiasm, for the education OIL 9ouHS
Southern men?
For the Information of those whose at.
tention has not been attracted to TINS
matter may | summarize, as briefly as
possible, the initiation of this movement
anu the reason which appear, to those
interested in il, SO conclusive in Its be-
half?
The movement started little more
than a year ago through the chance visit
of ,..e writer to Lexington. Va. To any
thoughtful visitor who mad his oppor-
tunities for seeing the work Of the uni
versity, its Importance, directly consid-
cred in relation to its students individual
". and indirectly to the influence which
it brings to bear upon great questions in
the South, would be apparent. Its ira
ditions are noble and Inspiring, and con-
stantly exert an elevating influence on
the minds OF its students. 1t owes its
existence to the benefaction Of Washing
ton himself, which still yields small
annual revenue. For his services in
,ne Revolution he was offered the gift
Of certain canal bonds, which he refused
to accept unless he might be earmitted
to devote them to the cause of educa-
ton. They We're divided. | believe. equal
ly between the University of Virginia
and the Liberty Hall Classical School.
which afterwards developed into the
University at Lexington.
The faculty of this institution is COM
posed of Intelligent, cultivated and disin-
terested gentlemen, some Southern men
anG some Northern. who exert a powerful
influence intellectually and morally over
the students. The young men whom they
teach are mostly of very limited means.
and show a laudable energy and spirit
of Self-denial in their efforts to secure 4
frst-rate education. Living is possible
in this locality at an exceedingly low
figure The general moral standards
OF the institution are very high Our
great Northern or Western universities
are to-day the objects of unprecedented
benevolent generosity: they should have
no less than they get. but such an instl-
tuition as Washington and Lee should
have infinitely more than it receives. 1t
will get it if our generous men anC wo-
men, North and South. appreciate its pos-
sibilities and see clearly the work tina t
it is doing. But there is an argument
in its favor which. although it might
seem weak or doubtful to those who take
a superficial view of the situation. is I'M
answerable to those deeply interested in
the solution of the Southern ace problem.
Close acquaintance with its faculty ena
bles me to say with confidence that. like
their late lamanted President, William
L. Wilson, they are men Of most liberal
and reasonable views regarding the negro
question of the South. Without senti-
mentality Of doctrinaire rotions-for they
have seen too much of the practical side
of this problem for that-they are thor
ough,y humane mid reasonable .anc'
strongly in favor Of industrial training
for the negro as that iGea is carried into
practice in the great institutions Of Hamp-
ton and Tuskegee.
1t was a fully received belief of the
late Gen. S. C. Armstrong. of Hampton.
as it is of his able and eHpeIi fenced sue
cessor. DR.. Frissell. that a necessary ana
powerful adjunct in the right education
of the negro, if not. indeed. the most
powerful one. is to he found in the CO.
operation of the Southern white man. t
would seem clear that to-day. at any
rate. this problem if it is to be COM
prehensively and effectively handled cam
not be solved by any direct effort from
the North alone, but must be done by
cooperation between intelligent and dis
interested men North and South. If
this be true. the need Of cooperation OF
the Northern and Southern man in builds
ing up to completeness an institution.
like Washington and Lee, which will an
nually send out many minds, inspired
with its standards. to fructify the scat
tered and impoverished regions of the
South is plainly pressing This Will ac-
complish results of the largest and most
enduring kind. 1t is case where the
indirect effort is. perhaps more power
full than tie direct; where '.the longest
way around is the shortest way home. "
The committee charged with the COM
pletion of this project is composed of the
following gentlemen: The Hon. Grover
Cleveland. Abram s. Hewitt. George Eos
ter Cutting. John G. Carlisle, James e.
Carter Oswald Garrison Willard and Hor-
ace White. The committe has. up to
date. raised s14,57S. of which there has
been deposited in the Girar6 Life and
Trust Company. in cash. $685.
Last July lady of great and intelli-
gent liberality, who desired that her gift
should be ANONYMOUS. gave ten thousand
dollars to the university. With her per-
mission eight thousand dollars was CIV
en- to the memorial fund, and two thou
sand divided between the library. which
stands in great need, and the scientific
department, which is equally, in want OF
equipment. letter similar to this.
published in the Evening Post year ago
brought the following day generous gift
from a public-spirited citizen OF two thou.
sand dollars.
1t Is most important that the FUND
should be completed before the first OF
next January. for ten thousand dollars
Of that already, subscribed Is dependent
upon the completion OF the fund by thai
| date. ANY additional gifts sent to me