The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-03
Or. DENNY WILL
GO TO ALABAMA
CONTINUED From First rage.

eide / have searched my heart to try
: TO find II this was indeed the task for
me.
After giving to the whole matter the
Kind of consideration that promised
10 Sive It, l have reached the conclu-
SION that 1t is my duty to go to Ala
oama; believe that am uninfluenced
/! in this decision by any sort of ambi-
ton save to render service. am.
therefore. transmitting Though you to
the trustees my resignation as presi-
dent OF Washington and Lee UnIver-
sity, to take effeI- January /. 1912. or
at such other time as the trustees may.
in their wisdom, choose to accept 1t.
mention particular date for the
reason that | am persuaded that the
interests OF Washington and Lee would
be best conserved by having the change
take effect at that time. The trustees
are entitled to longer notice, If they
. sure that my successor would be ham
dicapped for time. In case his add
ministration has to begin at some later
period In the year. l should not ven
; ture to make this suggestion.
Cost Him Great Sorrow.
IT would be an impossible task to
describe the wrench and sorrow that
this decision has cost me. 1 shall not
. ago. when l was scarcely thirty and
quite unknown. the call to this service
came to me as a sudden and unex-
pected summons. Indeed, I hesitated
these eventful years. however, feel
grateful that / have been permitted
to share the high privilege OF admins
tering an institution that has been so
greatly distinguished in It's heritage
OF great names. great traditions and
great memories: that has for so long
period illustrated a steadfast devo-
ton TO the highest Ideals OF conduct
and achievement, and that is to-day
serving. without sham or pretense the
Commonwealth and the nation with
greater power and efficiency than at
any othcs period of It's remarkable
take this opportunity to express
to the trustees my high appreciation
OF the unfailing kindness and cour-
tesy that has been shown me. from the
very beginning OF my admins ira ton
to the present time. am happy to
know that at the end of all these
years. the trustees still unanimously
h hesd n me ,t to remain as the executive
( forget the fact that throughout my
/ entire administration there has not
been single instance in which the
i trustees have failed to do what have,
/ upon deliberate consideration. clearly
asked them to do. Indeed, I cannot
recall any vote that was not unani-
nous in sustaining recommendations
made by the president. feel that
should, at this time. mention this re-
markable fact and express my CRATE
full appreciation In view OF It,
His Greater Opportunity.
The prevailing consideration that
mas moved me to accept the presidency
from the conviction that there is great
! er opportunity in Alabama for con-
! structlVe service to the entire system
OF public education than would be
! open to me at this time in Virginia,
especially considering my position as
| executive head of an independent in
Stltutian Of learning. In other words.
l shall hope in my new field OF service
to find ampler opportunity to serve
the general cause of education. to
which l have pledged my life. I shall
nope to devote myself to evsxy phase
OF education In great Commonwealth,
rapidly growing In population and in
power. The background of 1t all is, of
new era.
have not been consciously innu-
enced in my decision by any desire to
be transferring fr>a this Institution
TO any other institution, however great
or strong. IT is not a question merely
OF serving single institution. The
tact that i have declined other invit-
ing opportunities Is a sufficient declar-
alton that have been happy here. I
nave mad no ambition to serve any
institution. This has been true at
every stage of my life here. 1t is GER
ta!nly true at this time, when the
trustees. the alumni. the community
members of the faculty. and hundreds
of the most prominent citizens OF Vir-
GINA have so strongly and so Insist
emily urged me to continue my work
mere In Virginia. There is no institu-
tion In whose service there Is higher
honor or larger spiritual reward than
is to be found in the service OF this
institution To carry on the work con-
s sy by the benefaction of George
| washington and the service and mem
DRY of Robert E. Lee is a task amply
adequate to satisfy the ambition OF
any man.
trustees have offered to deal with me
| Tar more generously than the resources.
at their command would seem to ius.
tify. IT is solely a question of ser
institution. but in terms of the whole
great problem.
Quit. With Regret.
! shall lay down my work at Wash
ington and Lee with genuine regret
/ 1 have put Into this work deeade
| OF sincere personal devotion and d
wiling and unremitting toll. 1t ha.
/ leSe has prospered in a remarkable.
degree. 1t has rapidly advanced in en-
aowment. In plant. in equipment. in
| II was decade ago. Its growth
has been far more rapid than
any any one could reasonably have ex-
pected have my reward in the con-
! sciousness that have attempted to
! do my duty In every phase of the work
| of the institution. without fear and
; without favor; that / have sought 20
study the laws of its true growth, and
mat have devoted myself without
reserve to its peace and prosperity. /
nave learned TO love the institution.
ana ! snail .~ver be unmindful OF the
| fine and helpful things that have
F, bound me TO II and to those who have
wrought with me in its upbuildng,
may be permitted to add just one
more word. Ii is Il great sorrow To he
TO leave NIrHlflin In AI.h