The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-11
WASHINGTON AND LEE
The President Of the University Makes
a.Frank Statement.

Lexington, Va, March Q. 1908.
Editor Of The Times -Dispa tch:
Sir,-In view OF certain recent discus
sons with regard to the government and
control Of the Washington and Lee Uni
versity, it Is deemed proper to make a
brief public statement on this point. This
statement is made solely on the ground
that 1t has been intimated. IL not den-
nitely sta ted, that there has been In the
last few years a change In tho historic
status Of the institution. This intimation
has extended: even SO far as to involve
the charge that an element In the govern
Ing board desired to place the institution
in organic connection with the Presbyte-
rian church. @
Such intima lions are inconsistent with
the facts and call for correction.
The institutions continues to stand upon
Its historic basis. 1t is q Christian and
catholic school, founded by Scotcll-tri
Presbyterians Of the Valley of Virginia.,
and yet always administered upon the
broad basis Of an evangelical Christian
ity. Since it,was charteredfas a college,
It's board Of trustees has been dominant
ly Presbyterian, and yet without the
slightest suggdstion OF connection with
any church, court aft,t ri
II 1t Is objected Il that, the Institution
thus constituted and thus administered is
"sectarian.' this term assumes new
meaning, and the foremost institutions
OF the land, such as Columbia and Yale,
are subject to- tho charge. .
& Such, in the brlefest outline, is the orl-
gin, history and the policy Of the ln-t
tstitution.
This was exactly the condition of affairs
throughout the administrations of General
Robert E. Lee and his worthy son. and
tho more recent administration of Presi-
dent William L.YYilson. Let us hear the
unmpeachabo testimony Of two or these
great men, the one an Episcopalan and
the other Baptist.
Gen, Leo is on record in a published let
ter that the institution was not in his
day sectarian institution, and that, SO
far as he knew, IT. had never been since
1t became chartered college, while Pres
ident Wilson gave expression time and
again to precisely the same opinion. The
Board Of Trustees was constituted IN
these administrations precisely as It IS
constituted to-day. 1t is also true that
every utterance and every act Of the
governing board has been In line with
the declarations Of General Leo and Pres
ldent Wilson, and any intimation to the
contrary not only deliberately call into
question the honor and veracity Of these
gentlemen, but also reflects upon the In
tegrity Of the Board Of Trustees,
That the institution under Its histroic
control has continued to this day to be
administered In an eminenty catholic
spirit is amply attested by the fact that
only one Of the last four executives has
been a member Of the Presby terrain
church, while not more than three Of the
last nine appontees to faculty member
ship have been affiliated with this church.
1t will be recalled that at the last COM
mcncement not one OF the three profess
COZ al fn1 co.
This is a plain statement of tho facts
In tho case. 1t Is hard to conceive OF a
more catholic spirit than that which has
prevailed, and which still prevails to-day
ut washington and Lee University. 1t
continues to stand, unchanged and
changeless1 Upon those foundations which
have commanded the confidence and re-
spect of many philanthroplc men and wo-
men In various parts Of the country, and
which have Induced them to contribute to
Its material prosperity and growth.
Any criticism Of the policy OF tho Board
Of Trustees rs expressed In Its acts is
n criticism of the histroic policy of tho
institution throughout Its entire history
as n chartered college. Any unrest on
account Of tho present Is tho unrest OF
discomfort with the past, both recent and
remote, which ought to2be held In vener-
alton and honor. for.it Is a past rendered
sacred by tho lives and services of many
of tho most catholic and u lustrious names
in the history Of our country
1t is not believed that conservative men
In this or In any other section Of our
country will censure the University on
the ground OF its having moved along
conservative and consistent lines. Ger
talnly they will not falsely accuse II, !f
there be such criticism or discomfort It
must find It's foundation, not IN any
change In the historic status or catholic
administration of the institution, which
its greatest executives have approved and
sustained but rather In desire to OYER
turn the status long exinsting on the part
OF those who express the criticism or feel
the discontcnt
There need be no restlessncss on the
honors It's past and sincerely respects its
dignity and high purpose, It will remain
true to It's history, and the charge Of
sectarianism will neither lead the instl-
tuition to be less catholic In the future,
not give comfort to those who ought to
know that It Is false III letter and in
spirit
Yours very truly.
!, GEORGE II. DENNY, President
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