The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-30
REGRETS ACTION OF DA. GEORGE H. DENNY
Charles Francis Adams Had Hoped He Would Remain At Wash
 inetOn and Lee

Lexington, Va, November 29.-(Spe- cial. )-In a letter to Walter L. Me- Corkle, president of the New York Alumni association of Washington and Lee university, Charles Francis Adams of South Lincoln, Mass, has the fol- lowing to say in regard to the above institution and with reference to pr. Dennys resignation as president of this university. It will be remembered that the distinguished scholar and gentle man from Massachusetts delivered the oration at the Lee centennial held here in 1907, which was pronounced by all to be a masterpiece. Ever since the above occasion MT. Adams has enter tained a most friendly and benevolent feeling towards Washington and Lee His letter is as follows: Tt is with surprise as well as sorrow I hear of pr. Denny's intention to dissolve his connection with the Washington aud Lee university. Doubtless he has suf- ficient reason for his action, and hope he is merely transferring his ac- tivities to a field of greater usefulness On the other hand, as at present ad- vised, do not clearly see how there is any great probability of his so doing There may be considerations connected with the matter, concerning which am not informed. On the other hand. among all the educational institutions of the south, Washington and Lee, so far as am advised, has, if skilfully and con servately handled, the most extended field of usefulness. In the case of all institutions of the higher education ser timent is a large factor in success. Strikingly is 1t so in the case of liar vard sill, I think I may with some confidence say that there is no insti- tuti6n in the entire south in connec- tion with which sentiment is so con- siderable factor, or admits of such de- velopment as factor, as Washington and Lee. If this be so now the pas sage of the years will, if the chord is sympathetically struck. make it vibrato more clearly in the future.
 'It is to be remembered that 40 years have not yet elapsed since the death of General Lee. 1 now think 1t safe to say that in the future development of the soutln--and that development, as I see it, Is like to be most considerable, the name of General Lee will occupy in the southern memory place peculiarly its own. It will be to Washington and Lee far more than that of John Harvard is to the university which bears his name infinitely more than the name of its founder is to Yale.
 T had hoped, therefore, that Presi- dent Denny would continue his connec- tion with Washington and Lee for a period of at least quarter of a cen tury. This would have given him 15 years of future service, and during 15 years much can be accomplished. Eight years are not enough. The fruit may in them germinate; it cannot mature.
 My own relations with Washington and Lee institute one of the thor oughly gratifying incidents of my life. and 1t is with no small degree of pride that number myself among it's adopt ed children. The degree constituting me such, conferred now nearly five years since. hangs among my most prized trophies side by side with q similar degree by my own alma mater a dozen years before."