The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-13
DECLARES RHODES
FAVORED OXFORD.
Doctor Barringer SO Interprets
Will of the Famous South
African Dictator.

Doctor p B. Barringer, chairman Of the
faculty of the University of Virginia. as
serted last night, at the banquet given by
the alumni in honor of Jeffersons birthday,
that Cecil Rhodes was working in behalf of
Oxford University and not in the interest
of America when he wrote his famous will.
The declaration was re-enforced by the
speaker in another clause. the pith of which
was the provision of the will that 100 or
more young men chosen from State univer-
sites of the New World should attend and
exert their influence on the ecclesiastical
university of old England.
The statement was in support OF the
speakers claim that the '.uncrowned King
of South. Africa" beheld in the great
scheme of political. religious and intellectual
freedom the only true university.
He carried the foresight of Rhodes 4
step further by declaring that the grad
uate of the free university, is to-day, in
control OF ths politics of the .States, and
the nation. He cited an analysis made re-
Gently by William E. Curtis, to the effect
that for the last thirty years the University
of Virginia had more of its alumni in Con-
gress than Harvard. Yale or Princeton and
for several years past had furnished more
members to the American Congress than
two of the other of the three great Eastern
KIND OF UNIVERSITY MOST NEEDED.
Jefferson was the first man." said Doc
tor Barringer. Ito perceive what the Ger
mans have long since seen-that the univer
sity of the future must be an institution
which comes from the state-that is. uni
versity supported by the state"
He then devoted himself to statistics from
the records of the University of Virginia
to prove this claim in favor Of freedom of
thought. The discovery by a graduate of
the university that yellow fever can only be
transmitted through the bite of a mosquito;
that another graduate was an accepted au-
thority in his textbook on The Conflict
of Law: that the choice for Surgeon Cen
eral of the Navy fell recently on another
graduate of that institution-these and 9th
were cited in support of the superiority Of
the great university founded on freedom
of thought and sterling honor.
Judge Alexander Graves's Tribute.
In responding to the sentiment. THE Uni
versity of Virginia and the Louisiana Pur-
chase" Judge Alexander Graves of Lexing-
ton. Mo-. said in part:
Had the power, the time and occasion
will permit only the most meager gleanings
from the vast field OF thought that broadens
into view when the mind attempts con-
temptation of those wonderful creations
which stamp Jefferson as possessed of at
tributes almost divine. The majesty of con-
ception which shines forth in each of these
and their marvellous results affecting our
own country and the world at large are Of
such stupendous import as to cause a deep
sense OF humility in approaching the sub
Ject assigned to me. The intellectual opera
ply godlike in their grandeur.
Just sixteen years elapsed from the time
he finished the Declaration of Independence
to the conclusion of his treaty of the
Louisiana Purchase with Napoleon. which
all of the civilized world is now assembling
to celebrate in this magnificent city of ST.
LOUIS. and just sixteen years thereafter his
lie work eliminated in the founding of the
University of Virginia, the most sublime
upon this continent.
Luster of JeEerson's Fame.
II Jeferson's greatness in political /!
philosophy and statecraft has shone forth !
In the Declaration of Independence and in |
lon n niHt, lAl hfr,r m
secure the French cession from the grasp of |
the British lion. what luste- shall accrue !.
thronghout the oomirg ages for opening
our beloved. our Alma Mater.
1t can be truthfully said that through |
the Institution Of this noble university. the
shadow of Jefferson's indi- |
vidual influence across the valleys OF his /
ISory in the United States is plainly discern
i to be an advancing and growing light.
While Jefferson was the author of the COM
mon mon school In the United. States. as far
he Virginia Legislature providing for COM
mon schools at public expense. ye the
Of the University of Virginia !
as his last correlative with the Louisiana
Purchase.
ITO the University of Virginia the whole
ountry is indebted for the following dis
services to hisher education: The |
recognition of real university standards of ,
Instruction and scholarship; the absolute re-
|
titutfon of merit for seniority in the award
I degrees; the first complete introduction
4 the elective system; the establishment |
4 distinct schools in which were grouped |
or example. ancient languages, modern |
anguases. mathematics law and politics; |
ach school having its own autonomy and |
IS own standard of graduation; the institu- |
ion of constitutional government in aca-
emic form. with an appointed president or |
hartman Of the faculty, holding office for
ne year: but eligible for reappointment by
he board of visitors; the promotion of self
overnment among the students and the
iIltfvation of an esprit de corps. containing
Ugh standards Of academic honor and
Highest Duty of Americans.
:, In the scope Of Jenerson's mighty scheme
u education in the arts and sciences was
laoe directly tributary to the education of
merican citizens for their highest duty to |
,eir country. His is a university of patriot
I'M; Jenerson prescribed as textbooks of
oI,Icai phllosophy. among others, the
eclaration of Independence as the most
nthentic exposition of the Federal Consti-
ltion as understood by the body which Gre
lred and the authority which accepted it: ]
1e virginia Document of 1873 conserving
le reserved rights of the States and free
oeech and the freedom of the press; the
iausural and Farewell Addresses of Wash
gton.
IAN airy-minded Congressman has but ;
esterday essayed to rob Jefferson Of the