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

Offices, both public and private, Of peace
and war; had there been put forth stlcl,
a classic statement of educational piir-{
pose, and rs only he who could draw the
bow of Ulysses, could realize the Mil.5
tonic ideal,fso all the constructive thinA-
Ing and p!led-up wealth OF succeeding
generations have left unnttained the Jef-l
fersonlan programme. In Its academic
structure and In The scope and grouping
of Its work, Jefferson had spiritual sight
OF the modern American University, even
now, but dimly taking shape out of the
needs of d new society, the efforts Of
countless mon and unneasured power MS
Our greatest intellectual achievement. His
5revolutionary mind put aside the English
college model as the proper force for
training the American democrat, with4its
exclusive tradition OF humnnistic culture,
and the Journalism OF the English country
gentleman, though he was broad enough
to recognize the wisdom OF halls Of resi-
dence and the communal life therein
which the English had evolved, and
which they believe has contributed to
produce the type OF man who has widened
1.-THE arch OF the British Empire
& President Eliot, n great modern master
and interpreter OF educational method
and purpose, has recently declared that
there are three Indispensable attributes
Of a true university: Freedom in the
choice OF studies; opportunity to win
distinction In special lines OF study; a dis
8ciplinc which imposes on each Individual
the responsibility for forming his Owl,
i habits and guiding his own conduct.
Cur great dreamer. seized Just these
three essentials. and upon them shaped
the life Of the University OF Virsinia,
as necessary conditions. at time when
they were not only ufrealsed but ,un-
imagined In American educa tianal prac-s
$tice. TO this absolutely right founda-
ton is due the Just claims that here be-
gan the first real American university.
and the first whole hearted experiment
With the elective principle. and the
interesting result, that there has al.
ways been real university ats Char
lottcsvle. In spite OF meagre} equipment,
though at It's birth II was probably the
most literally planned institution Of the
country. in spite of insufficient prepara-5
tory training at times for It's students;
I In spite Of restricted scope and inability
to welcome into the circle OF liberal arts
& the growing mass OF new studies, the
University spirit has always informed
our $life-a spirit that behcld the scholars
life as a fair and fruitful thing, begot In
youth desire not only to acquire, but
to add somewhat to the sum Of know
thoroughness that yielded knowledge Of
how truth may be won.
Result Of Ideals. i'll
The character of an institution is tho
resultant or its ideals and Of the social
forces that cry out to 1t for direction.
The first three deca des in the. life Of this
university, like the first three in the
life Of man, forever fixed its character.
The revolutionary dynasty had passed
away, their battle for equality and human
sympa t ny securely won. a young republic
Its concept OF depocrafy suddenly shift
4 ed from sovereignty to omnpotence. stood
up before the world, lacking the instinct
or unity, virile and wa award in its con-
fident. strength.
Steam and inventive genius suddenly
touched its heart with desire and
pointed the way for material add
Avancement. A vast untouched ems
pire beckoned adventurous spirits from
ali lands to enterprise and con-
quest. There was brewing the storm
OF a. great argument as to the nature OF
this Union, made necessary by the 81
1ence and indecislon of the Constitution,
and made imminent by the presence Of
vast human problem In economics, be-
quea thed to us by he industrial need
and moral calousness of ages past. Men
In America have never been 50 much In
earnest about vital things as rney
were in these days. Their hearts were
touched with fire and their very lives
did not appear to them SO Indispensable
as their ideas. The passion of the time
was a passion for principle and loyalty.
The aptitude Of the time was for the build
ing of States. There was no room in
high places for the cynic. the idler, the
self seeker. Cleared of human weakness
and hot temper, one sees In these sad
earnest years, time Of single mlnded-
ness and sincerity, of the uplfted heart.
and of steadfast gazing upon the heights
of honor and duty, and they must ever
remain the epic period OF the struggle OF
democracy, under crushing difficulties.
after self-consciousness and unity Of pur-.
pose.
As True wisdom guided the selection of the
formative men who came here to teach,
whether from Europe or America, for
they were high-statured men and
great teachers, as Il well as scholars.
evoking enthusiasm for letters in
their disciples setting high and neces-i
sary standards Of scholarship In the land,
and leaving behind them an enduring edu-
cation of sweet and vital memories.
Dunglison, Emmett Tucker. Cabell, Rog-
ers, Gessncr Harrison, Davis. McGuffey,.
lECourtenay, Venable, Minor. to mention
only some Of the dead. The mere In
donation OF their names, each q unit OF
power. Of sacrifice and of service, Is the
best celebration OF their fame my tongue
can fashion. The old graduate here re-
calls men, not buildings. When lie ac-
counts for5his measure of virtue, he calls
the roll Of his old teachers, as Marcus
/ Aurelius did, long ages ago, on the banks
| of the Danube indeed, the distinctlonSof
/ this life has been the contact IT. OF tho In
diyidual with the great teacher.
Manner of Youth. &
The youth who came here to learn we're
such youth as such times breed, They
were Needless of much that Is needed
now. But they were atlre with the i'm
pulses of their generation. There dwelt
in them the. root OIL. a deep seriousness, an
earnest ambiti for service to the State
and a calm faith In the power Of the
cultured will and the honorable life. 1t
was the golden age OF education In the