The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-14
The Honor System.

NSHSOUlVSTSltyst
system M, 9the class room, III tho exani-S
nation room the daily life. It has been
the foundation principle which has guided leg
and directed the student from the very
day this institution was. founded. u. 3.
8s a nd ~ IN Ssturning over this university
to the control o. the newly Gle cteds pres
.ident. IFpledEeto that president IN cor
dial cosoperatlon and SUPP 81 t5 - = g
alumnipfroms one end Of this land TO tho
other RI III cannot refrain from 81 ying IN
the name Eof the alumni, everywhere 20
our dlstinEulshed president, that regard
Ing these principles which were breathed>
into this institution by its illnstrons
founder, we offer the earnest hope that
they may be strengthened and never
diminished. ,ss.t
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, rs
the Board OF Visitors have pledged TO
the president support and cooperation
and as the faculty. pledged themsclv
work for the development and CROWN
and prosperity OF our alma mater, say.
i say, the alumni as one man, Will rally
around the president and sustain MN
in all his efforts to make this great uni \
versity even greater than 1t is now.
Professor Coolidge.
4 Professor =. Archibald Cary Coolidge, Of
Harvard, q delivered graceful and
.ings Of old Harvard to the University OF
Virginia. ss .,3al,.yEho OF the United States
that knows the Untversity;3o Virginia
does not know 1t as the home OF tine
honor system r. was n sentence loudiy
applauded. Speaking for the Jniyers ST
ties OF the East, he referred to the dis
tinguished work Of President Elliott OF
Harvard. and his readiness to effect new W
methods to4meet new conditions. ruin !. y
is eternalt 81 said Drfss Coolidge, but ,l the
ways in. which It should be taught may
varV from 80 to age and no system is
SO sanctlne{ BY It's trumphs as to o. be DC
5beyoIid sthe&peed ~ change to meet
changed conditions. Virginia has par
tticuiarly stood for two principles. one a 81
them academic though based partly on
moral srounds-the other moral alone.
Al the present day what is termed the
elective system OF study has found Us
way in one form or another into most q
our higher institutions OF learning. -. ~
has begun TO penetrate into me scllools'.
and almost threatens the kindergarte ems:
This liberty Of choice. which at times
car degenera te into license, has now be-
come an educational itconlmonplace.5 we
nrp,,e about the question OF morals, OF
the applicability of the system under a
given set of circumstances. OF the meas
urcs that shall ensue It's more judiclous
use. But the idea has lost all e noVeity
FOR us. People no longer even stop 70 ass :
where 1t calne from And yel.a "lien'
eighty years ago, the University OF VT
ginia was founded on q; pasls pro'i I
THAN any other college IN the country,
the elective system, which you alone at
lthat early day dared to Introduce. was
Indeed startling innovation, one that
for two generations could find but rev rev
Imitators Verily.tit must have caused
! shaking of the head among the Wise
acres who believed that for path to be
! straight 1t must be narrow. and that the
4 way OF learning which they had followed
themselves wis the only proper one I.
\ along which to- guide the footsteps ~
! others.
A High Standard.
Time has vindicated your wisdom ane
4 the foresight OF your founder. The prlln-
4 ciple for which you contend has become
4 a common heritage. You have shoWl
i that broad road to knowledge meet
A not be an easy one Tor you nave =, kep
your standards SO lllgh tnat you z nay ..,,.
discouraged many an applicant WI.
gladly won yourE degree II It could havf
4 been obtained at any other cost thar
i that OF long and patient toll, All this WI
a OF the sister universities appreciate per
a haps not without jealousy
There is still more q second principe
which we who live at q distance ass 9.
,Bciate with the University OF virginia
Highras she has put knowledge, as .,le
3 still, She has recognized from the be
\ ginning that an institution which la
+ charge OF a yotuh to mould them for afte
life fulils bit a part OF Its duty, II
\ ministers merely to- their !ntellects tn
distinguishing mark OF Its graduates
should be not only that they should
gentlemen even before pelng seho!nls
This truth, which y. our ouern ~ s't.Y' Z
Il | for efficiency som etlmes nppear 70 ~. y
+ dropping into the background, has ncYe
been forgotten here. t5s 3al
For All the World, q
WHO is ,hera IL the United States wh
Knows OF the University OF Virginia an
does not think OF her s the home Or "
honor system 4 the priceless possession {
Il which others may well be. enylous, I
you ii seems as ia tural MS the air whlc
II you breathe PARTNERSHIPS fortunate
4 this respect It renal ms. even y allleIe :,
conditions make It dirlcnlt OF q tta! y
y ment an IDEAL and an enconra se'''eill - :.
!, ture. This is,.wall, for never IN our his
ii tory has there been greater need 81
l. stendfas maintenance OF the prlnclpl,
OF character for which you have tang
7 with such noble results IN ms DAY .
+ triumphant mnterlalsm, when faiths s y
q crumbling and nothing goes unane g, !,
It when success mt any prlee y lne Y
d achievement, that seems to nppeal 70
a large portion al the community, Wll'
|. conscienccs are weakened by casuistl'
is when simplicity IS looked upon .as fo ], !,
ishness ana when the nln,gh lS toll
IL tends openly oriinstduously 70 ensittSo 2, !,
% an, may the University OF ylrglni,s w y.
IS AM ever enlarged sphere q nnehes ssi,
10 as she always has stonn lor W. 4,,a ~
H. Of the Scotch poet, llie ii'''i ~ e
Q, for all that
{ President Butler.
"a Or. Nicholas Aii.rray butler, pl p - !,
" of Columbia JIniyersity made pla y ~,
ne most thoughtful speeehes oE ~ Z, ~
le slon, speaking forthe unlYegs'l'es 9. Z. I