The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-11
PERSONAL VIEWS
. OF DR.. MOREHEAD
Roanoke College President
Writes Of Elson's History,
Incident.
VITAL PRINCIPLES INVOLVED
Hasty Judgments Formed on
Basis Of Ex-Partc
Statements.
Special to The Tlmcs-Dispatch. ]


Roanoke. Va, May lo.-Dr. John AL
fred Morehead. president of Roanoke
College, gave out the following state
ment here to-day regarding tho Sig
nifcanco OF the Elson's history incl
dent at that institution.
Having returned to Roanoke Col
lege utter an absence of nearly two
months. have given my first leisure
to the study of the agitation against
Roanoke College in connection with
the former use of Elson's History of
the United States While the trustees
OF the college Issued q comprehensive
statement on March {. ara while later
the faculty published careful definitions
OF our position, 1t seems evident that
there Is SIN Misrepresentation as to
the real attitude OF this institution
For this reason, and also because OF
the wider significance that the his
tory" incident may have. have de-
cided TO present my personal view of
The principles involved in their rela-
ton TO educational work
The trustees passed resolutions ex-
pressing loyalty to tho South, depre-
eating sectional agitation, declaring
for full and free investigation in search
Tor the truth. They stated clearly tho
principle that professor should have
freedom to select his own teXt-bo
and to determine the other means and
methods Of his work of instruction.
The test of the satisfactoriness Of
professor was. In their view, not his
textbooks, but the actual work OF his
department in Its real substance and
results Disapproval was expressed or
certain passages OF the book In uues-
ton. but the professor of history was
sustained. at his suggestion, lIlson's
text w2s( discontinued. This was done.
not BECAUSE there was any danger
whatever OF errors about the south
being taught, as the book was in tile
hands of competent and impartial
professor. but out Of difference To the
feelings aroused In the minds OF Con-
tederate veterans, and In the interest
OF harmony. The resolutions or the
trustees were cdopted wit. only two
dissenting votes. Among the affirma-
tive voters were prominent Confeder-
ate veterans. including a gentleman
who was in Picketts charge at Gettys-
burg Elsons book has not been used
~ Roanoke College by the professor
as text or for reference since March
l. The faculty is in perfect accord
with the action of the trustees. One
student was taken out OF college on
account of the controversy. put ave
have been added TO the enrolment since
the March meeting. So much for tho
facts of the situation at Roanoke Col
lege.
Vital Principles Involved.
1T seems TO us that Vital principles
are involved In this controversy.
First OF all. is 1t not clear that a col
leSe must honestly stand for the truth,
II It is to be an ethical as well MS an
intellectual force in the development
of its students? The students must
feel that the college in It's professors
is sincerely devoted to the truth in all
departments and AT any cost. Thus
only will they have respect for their
instructors. and will themselves learn
the vital lesson of intellectual honesty
The ideal of ...e college, as OF the
scholar. must be honest investiga ton
and sincere Instruction. If there is to
be real scholarship and real college
work
There cannot be loyalty to the
truth In scholarly work without free
dom TO Investigate, to think, to review
all phases of suhject-the truths,
the half-truths. and the untruths about
it-and to form and to express indie
pendent judgments This is the prln-
without saying that It needs to he
carefully guarded III It's application.
But 1t Is vital principle A man
worthy to be college professor should
not only be allowed freedom, but his
exercise of It In scholarly endeavor
ana method SHOULD be required 1t
seems to me that the general tendency
IN educational work in all grades Is to
emphasize the teacher RI Their than the
mere textbook or the textbook meth
cd of teaching. Especially in college
or university work. the determining
emphasis is placed upon the professor
as the authority not upon his means
or work He is specialist, an expert.
who justifes himself by his work and
Az
the maintenance of the principle of