The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-22
University Endowment.

In a rccent-issue OF Tie Times-Dispa'tei
we showed that tho benefactions reee'seu
bv institutions Of learning In tho uhl tt
states during the year 1908 amounted 10
more than seventeen million dollars a'u
that while the institu tons lying IN the
North Atlantic division received ~ PEI
cent. Of this amount. those lying II, the
South Atlantic division received son'c-
thing less thar 6 per cent. The unlSer-
sity of Chicago received nearly three NIL
lion dollars: Harvard received over on one
million dollars; the University OF ren mn
sylvana nearly million. and so on down.
The list which we have includes oh'y
those institutions which received rs muSii
as ono hundred thousand. The University
Of Virginia is not in the list at all.
But a movement has been stnrten, na-
tional In its character. which mas TOT
it's object the raising OF an endowment
fund for the great and noble institution
Of learning founded by Thomas ! 1lctsol' =.
The fund which It is hoped Will even
tually amount to two million dollars.
will no named THE Thomas JEFFERSON
Memorial Fund. = The movement is
heartily approved by President Roosevelt
ex-Presdent Cleveland. Chief justice Fui-
Ter. Secretary Root, Secretary TAFT, Az
miral Dewey, Robert T. Lincoln, Ed tor
McKelway, Of the Brooklyn Eagle; Car
dinal Gibbons, Richard Olney, DR.. s. Weir
Mitchell and other distinguished men.
President Roosevelt has written strong
letter of approval TO Mr.! Thomas nelson
Page. president Of the Alumni Associa-
ton, IN which he says that the move
mept is most opportune, owing to the re"
awakened interest in Jeftcrsons great
work caused by the centenary Of the
Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson IS usually
spoken of as the hish priest OF Democracy,
but he was more than a partisan; ne was
one OF the founders OF the republic, and
although many years dead, he is still a
vital and powerful force in our affairs
He consecrated his best talents to the
republic. He gave freely and Affection
ately to the nation. He, never tired Of ser'-
Ing his people. He was auhor OF the
Declaration OF Independence and OF the
Virginia statute for religious freedom
He accomplished the Louisiana Purchase,
and, last OF all, he built a great university
in his native State. It was, so to speak.
the child OF his old age. and was the
object of his most affectionate interest.
He took greatest pride Of all IN the TACT
that he would DO known to posterity as
the Father Of the University OF VIZ
ginia,"S and The nation could conceive OF
no tribute to his memory, no expression
OF gratitude more appropriate or more
worthy than generous endowment OF
Jefferson's University
Nor could better investment OF the
same amount OF money be made The
University Of Virginia is unique, and on
Its own account and independently OF its
founder, It has peculiar claim upon
the American public. AS Mr.. Cleveland
says, the contribution 1t has already made
10 the best American citizenship should
constantly enlist in its support the In
terest Of the entire nation.
II the large-hearted men OF the nation
will give 1t sufficient endowment, the Uni
| vcrsity will repay in something far better
| than money the enlargement Of its capa-
city to give American youths those noble
Ideals, that high conception Of mani,
| virtues and civic duties which have Sc
distinctly characterized its alumni.