Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-09-16
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

The vigorous changing OF the bell In
the rotunda of the University of Vir-
ginia at 6 O'Clock yesterday morning,
announced the opening day of the
sighty-first session of the grand old in
stitution.
Yesterday evening, in the pnblic hall,
a large gathering witnessed the exercises
attending public welcome to DIR. Ed
win A. Alderman, who has recently as
sumed the duties of president of the Uni
yersity of Virginia. The exercises we're
not in the nature of an installation or
Inauguration, but signalized the inform
al entrance into office.
The address of notification was made
by Charles 2. Jones, rector Of the board
of visitors of the university. DR.. James
Morris Page, the last chairman of the
faculty, whose Office gives place to that
of the presidency, delivered the welcome
on the part of the faculty. The
change to the presidency, the doctor
said, was in accordance with the de-
liberate judgment of the faculty, which
two years ago recommended to the visit
ors the creation of that Office. In spite
of the fact that the university, under
its old form of government, had grown
and prospered, it was believed that on
account of the increased administrative
cares an executive unconnected with
professional work should be putin charge
of the institution. The retiring chair
man, for himself and the professors and
officers, gave the incoming officer earnest
assurance that he was received with
every feeling OF satisfaction and well
come and pledged hearty co. operation in
oil bis undertakings in the interest of
the institution.
In his address, DIR. Alderman said, in
part
''The South has something, believe
me, precious and distinctive in man.
hood and character to contribute to
American life. 1t shall be subtle
bend of the old spirit, which did not
know how to compromise and did know
how 10 die for faith and the new spirit,
which looks at life with wide, clear,
steady eyes and which has been beaten
BY freer civic forces into finer and more
efficient form. In the sweet justice OF
God, you and those like you in our
sister colleges shall become Of this
mold, and it is for you to help us to
make of this noble foundation the place
of central importance in the historic out
working of this new new type of personal
culture and social efficiency. | have
come to make my home in Virginia and
to spend my life here. One may do that
with calm pride and confidence, for the
past of Virginia stands clear and stead
fast, and the present is an earnest and
hopeful time. The day of large things
has come into our national and State
life. 1t was q stunting inheritance from
days of trial and poverty that made us
try in former days to achieve large ends
with small means. This university is
the supreme intellectual achievement of
this Commonwealth. lthas contributed
to its progress, unity, patriotism, righte-
business, and culture. 1t should be and
it will be the highest satisfaction OF the
State to understand it, to sympathize
with, and to strengthen it, not as if it
doled out charity, but as one increases
his noblest investment This is not the
State that once lay beaten with the
stripes of war and misrule. Wealth
and power are here, and oar great need
as a people is to invest in education,
not to scrimp and save"