The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-04-14

hudFlOJlcS|llle, y d., April lo.-ln Tue
eighteenth year of it's career, and en-
the anniversary of the birth of Thomas
Jefferson, it's illustrious founder, the
University of Virginia today inaugu-
rated its first president, DR.. Edwin An
derSon Alderman. The simple cere-
mOny was impressive. 1t combined the
university spirit in the enthusiasm of
a student body Of seven hundred. and
an alumni thousand strong, with the
dignity of capped, gowned and hooded
men, the educational leaders OF the
south, north, east and west, officials
of the nation, state and distinguished
citizens from many sections added to
the presence. The inaugural process
sion through the center of the lawn
from the rotunda to the hall, in the
balmy air and bright sun of the spring
afternoon; prayer, the oath of office,
brief acceptance of the trust and a
number of speeches which filled three
hours of enthusiastic interest, climax
ed by an inspiring inaugural address
by President Alderman, and the install
latiOn was accomplished. Then was
released the rollicking spirit of the
alumni and the student. They all
joined in the torchlight procession
which at 9 o'clock led to the 'rotun-
da and the banquet tables. Here the
sterner side of the educational char
acter gave way to fraternity and good
fellowship and long did the ancient
hall ring with laughter and applause at
the shafts of wit and piquancy OF
phrase. Among the many representa-
tives of educational and scientiti: So
cieties and Of the learned professions
were:
DR.. Lyman Abbott, Moncure D. Con,
way, George Foster Peabody, DR.. Al!
bert Shaw, Edward M. Shepard, DR..
Melville E. Stone, Professor Francis G
Peabody Of Harvard; President Nicho-
las Murray Butler, of Columbia; Hon
George G. Benedict, of the University
of Vermont; President Charles ".
Needham, George Washington Univer-
sity, Washington; President James Is
Angel, University of Michigan: Dean
H. II. Biedler, baltimore University
School of Medicine; President II. b
FrisseIl, Hampton Institute; President
L. Clark Seelye, Smith College; Dean
Albio1 w. Small, University of Chica-
go; Carter Glass, Joseph Bryan and
President Robert Curtis Ogden, Of the
Southern Educational Board.
At o'clock when the aSemblage had
placed itself in the public hall OF the
univ ersity, Rev. r. D. Smith, of Nor
folk, pronounced an invocation on the
n re
undertakings.
The installation ceremony was at
once accomplished by the rector CT
the institution, Rev. Charles P. Jones
Of Montery, Va, who announced that
d growing public sentiment in favor
Of a change in the government OF the
university had caused the general as
sembly of the commonwealth to impose
on the rector and visitors as the gov
erning body, the duty of electing a
president. 1t had, he said, concludes
this duty after patient and anxious
thought by electing Dr. Edwin Ander-
son Alderman.
1T only remains for me-" he con
cluded, turning to President Alderman
acting for the BOARD of Visitors to de-
clare you to be the president of the
VI W uSllNOI W.
it's charter, and to pledge to you the
heartiest support that the board of Wis
itors can give you"
The oath of Office was administered.
In accepting the Office President AL.
derman said:
! 81 accept the presidency of the uni
versity, Mr.. Rector, with humility ans
yet with pride Sustained and strength
ened by the counsel and cooperation Of
the board of visitors, of my colleague:
of the faculty, Of the Sons of the Uni
versity, and of good citizens every
where, |. undertake this task with hope
and courage. To obey it's statutes, tx
respect it's ancient spirit; to maintai.
its lofty ideals; to seek with patienc'