The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-14
A Man of Convictions
With Courage to
Fiehtfor Them.
President of Two Other
Universities Than
Virginia.
Has Pronounced Ideas
on the Race Question
in the South.

Virginia. 1T is bantling OF forty
years birth and nursing, and IL I can
once see 1t on its legs. will sing with
sincerity and pleasure my nunc dinit-
tus.''
In the inspiriting history OF sduca-
tional development in America there Is
perhaps nothing finer or more ennobllng
than the prayerful regard cherished by
jefferson for the University OF Viz
ginia-his efforts to see # or its legs
and the unstintins sympathy with which
he sustained its infancy.
More than once he was painfully con-
scious, in his effort to enlist popular
support, that he was "dlscharging the
odious function OF physician pouring
medicine down the throat OF a patient
insensible OF needing It," but at length
he saw the accomplishment OF what he
had often referred to as his holy la
bora
His Noblest Work.
There are few persons nowadays who
will dissent from DR.. Adams Judgment
that the University Of Virginia was ''the
noblest work Of Jefferson's life"
1T is safe 70 say" says DR.. Adams.
in his monograph. that the relation Of
universities TO good citizenship and 20
the practical application Of American
life has never been better formulated
by any professional educator, much less
have these objects been concretely real
ICED by any institution Of learning
American colleges ana universities will
need TO advance a long way before
they reach the Jeffersonian idea"
In a paper drawn by his own hand
in 1926, Jefferson set forth. in these
words, what in his Judgment were the
objects of the University of Virginia:
i. To form the statesmen. legislators
and judges. on whom public prosperity
and individual happiness are so much
to depend.
49, To expound the principles and
structure of government. the laws which
regulate the intercourse Of nations. those
formed municipality for our own gov
eminent. and a sound spirit of legisla-
ton, which. banishing all unnecessary
restraint on Individual action, shall have
US free to do what does not violate the
equal rights of another
IS. To harmonic and promote the in
terests OF agriculture, manufactures and
commerce. and by well informed views
of the political economy TO give free
scope to the public industry
Il. To develop the reasoning faculties
/ Of our youth. enlarge their minds, cul-
| tfvate their morals and instill into them
| the precepts of virtue and order.
| IS. To onlighten them with the math
| ematical and physical sciences. which
| advance ths arts, ard administer TO the
| health. the subsistence and comforts Of
| human life.
/ 80. And. generally. to form them to
habits of reflection and correct action.
rendering them examples Of virtue 10
others and OF happiness within them
selves"
President Alderman's Ideal.
| Throughout a period of four score
years this ideal OF Jefferson's has been
practically realized by the University
of virginia Persons who understand
the habit of thought and the administra-
/ tive methods OF the newly elected presi-
| dent OF the university have little doubt
that this ideal will. under the admins
tration OF DR.. Alderman. continue to
| animate the life Of the institution
Eight years ago DR.. Alderman de-
clared HIS ideal for his alma mater then
intrusted to his untried hands. Il may
not be amiss TO say that he has no
other for this new labor OF his life
My desire" said he, would have II
a place where there IS always breath
of freedom in the air; where a sound
and various learning is taught heartily
without sham or pretense; where the
life and the teachings OF Jesus furnish
forth the ideal Of right living and true
manhood; where manners are gentle ana
courtesies daily multiply between teacn-
er and taught; where all classes ana
| conditions and beliefs are welcome ana
men may rise in earnest striving oy INC
might of merit; where wealth Is no
prejudice. and poverty no shame; where
| honorable labor. even rough labor OF
the hands, is glori1ed by high purpose
and strenuous desire for the clearer ar
and the larger view; where there is
win 10 serve all high ends Of State
struggling up out OF ignorance into
general power; where men are trained
TO observe closely. TO imagine ViVloiy'
to reason accurately. and to have about
Il them some humility and some tolera-
ton: where. finally, truth, SHINING pa,
tfentIy like a star. bids US advance, ana
We will not turn aside.