The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-16
The University of Virginia's Good
Fortune.
Baltimore News.)

When the newly created presidency
Of the University of Virginia was Of
fered to President Alderman, of Tu-
lane University, we took occasion TO
express our hearty satisfaction at this
most admirable choice, and our con-
ddence in the benefits which the his
toric university at charlottesville
would derive from Dr. Alderman s ser
vices. if he should decide to accept
Some days ago, the news of his ac-
ceptance was made public, and there is
now published an extract from a let
ter received by Rev. Charles p. Jones,
rector of the University of Virginia, in
which Dr. Alderman says: Il shall
give to the University of Virginia
whatever of strength | have of mind,
body, or spirit. / shall study it's past
With reverence and 1 shall seek to
build about it for the future in the
spirit of a man who has something
very precious intrusted to his keeping.
Of my own self / can do very little,
and that little i'll, but if the strength
IF every man and woman who loves
he University and understands its
meaning to American life may be re-
lied upon, then, indeed. great work
may be done | shall make many mis-
takes without doubt; the college
president who avoids mistakes is the
one who cunningly does nothing. /
shall however, believe that the board
Of visitors and the people of Virginia,
% whom the University belongs, will
aave the patience with me- if my pur-
pose be clear to do what / can
These lines indicate the profound
sense entertained by DR.. Alderman of
the potentialities of his new office, and
Of the institution over which he has
been called to preside. Rich as this
country is in many forms Of capital,
both material and human, there is one
kind of accumulated wealth in which,
is yet, we have not Superabundance.
rhis is the wealth that is stored up, in
4 variety of fields of human interest
ind effort, in the shape OF great ira
litions and fine historic traits. In the
case of university, this is a kind of
wealth which can not be too highly
treasured; it is not to be purchased
for money, nor is it to be acquired at
l stroke by the exercise of ingenuity
II tact. 1t was for this reason that
we felt so anxious, at the time of the
ire at the University OF Virginia. that
he loss be promptly repaired--a thing
which was accomplished, and more,
through the liberalty of many per-
sons, North and South. And it was
for this reason that we We're extreme
ly SOLICITORS that the University, if il
departed from it's ancient custom of
academic government without a preSi-
lent, should do so only upon condi-
lion of inaugurating in the new office
| man fully equal in ability and digni-
ty to the functions he would be called
upon to perform, and fully apprecia-
tive of the value of the tradition and
history of which he was to be made
in some sense trustee and guardian.
" II ,lr g
the post being filled by mediocre
person, chosen upon some basis of
wire-pulling or favoritism. Not only
has the University escaped that dan
ger, but it has had the good sense to
select the one man probably most to
be desired in all the country for this
particular post, and has had the good
fortune to secure his services. 1t will
be the wish of all Americans, not only