The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-29
Questions for the U University.

Editor OF the fItincs-Dlspatcn:6
sir.-pcrnit r,c,S us a Virginia matron,
deoply Interested in the reputation :. OF OF
orr great University, to ask through y your
columns the favor Of "a title lls ny lro'1l
tho authorities Of that noble if1stltut'o1,
,pon tho motives inducing rthem 70 y
mr. depart from precedent ns,2to honor
wit,, n ar,cclal Invitation to their closing
exercises the prcsentKnccldcntaliS i1 ,ss''
tive OF tho United States,
& make the request In no & in nv a. !.
| .,irlt recognizing FULLY the march o.
nav ideas and the resulting dissolution
~ tnanv traditions Many Of us are ol q,
,rho sJIniversity& In older. but neither the
University nor its friends are too Old 70
icnrn. There have been OF latc not g few
criticisms or the time. lonorcd methods
~ Jefferson's cherished school. and many
suggestions that new life. new Ways.
ne ~ blood, so TO speak. we're needed 10
maintain It's supremacy as the great ..
University 1.-THE South. and there nave
been some Indications on the part o.
those III authority to respond 70 81 crit y
clsms and suggestions. I'll n
/, Let me ask II the Invitation to Mt
Theodore Roosevelt Is one o. those mai
cations. DO the authorities OF Inc Uni I'M.
versity feel that they are proceeding IN,
Along the lIncS. =
IN ideparting from the traditional posi-
lion that the honors OF tho University
81 Is virginia nre rendered to those
only whom she can truly honor?
Or are we to understand mat mat
those presiding over this institution
approve the course and character or TINS
President? They invite him fresh from
The Eenunciatlon Of doctrines and inten-
lions most repugnant to every section Or
the South. We may assume that the INK
was hardly dry upon the pen with Whi E.
no invited a negro to dine with himself
and his family. another negro to come m g
with his wife to stay. With his wire ana
himself at the White House; that II was
still moist with the signatures to appoint
ments 'odious to large. important South
ern communities. when he used u 9
accept n nattcring invitation from the
University OF virginia. Truly. those who
contend that the University Is not quite
5un. to-date may hold their peace =
From the moment Mr.. Roosevelt and
his family were placed lin the White
House by an 4assassn's bullet and made
haste to inaugurate a season Of excep-
tinnal merry-making and private enter
tanning in that stricken mansion. While
n nation was still in mourning. not paus-
inE long enough to let the funeral bake
meats cool before having them furnish
forth the. marriage suppers; throuEhout
his repeated announcements that he
would In no wise be haUpered by the
wishes and views OF communities OF hls
felIow-citizens In using tho powers they
had never entrusted % him. down to- the
petty slight offered by his wife to the
ladies of Texas and hiu own deadly and
stupid insult to the State OF South Care
lima, this man and his family have an
tagonized and are antagonzing every
continent and tradition Of the South
AS daughter OF Virginia. as the wife
OF devoted alumnns of the University,
and MS the mother of sons who are also
SONS of8the University and resident clti-
2cns of the State. feel at liberty to
ask an explanation Of this Invitation
] should also like to know what prepn-
ration the University has made for such
OF the Presidents negro friends and their
families na.t with his faunted disregard
5of the views of thnse opposed to his. he
may SEE Mt to bring In his suite. q It Is,
of course. nrcsumahlc that the only two
VlrgInians who appear TO he his full
sympatlzers and co-workers have been
invited 10 meet hm~-the Hon. j ohm S.
Wise and James HAYES. ESQ.
Heaven help the University!
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