The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-04
THF, TRUE UNIVERSITY SPIRIT.

It has been truly said that the spirit
Of a university in . democracy shoHAo
be come. let us reason together" The
problems Of the democracy should be
discussed and studied, and solution
proposed within the quiet college WALTZ
where the young men Of to-day are
assembled TO receive a brief traihihs
for the civic and other responsiveness
which will soon be placed upon them.
The college or the university as a rule
is removed from sinister commercial
and industrial influences, and 1t en-
bodies all that experience has SHOWN
to be wise and useful Its atmosphere
or its intangible influence is usually
the expression Of what the past has
held to be high and noble in private
life and lofty and inspiring in pubic
service. The traditions Of tho older
institutions OF learning in Virginia are
their greatest assetA Their impress
sion upon the student means moro than
technical training or scholarly achieve
ment
This fact II Of special import at the
present time because OF the tendencies
which arc at work in Virginia and In
the South. We have made q splendid
and magnificent recovery from the de-
struction and devastation Of the civil
War. The spirit Of enterprise and pro-
gress is everywhere. Each day adds
new wonders to our material Develop
ment. The remarkable advancement
of one year is only an earnest Of an
extraordinary future growth in wealth
and resources. The imagination can
scarcely picture our future commercial
and industrial possibilities. We are
tust,y proud Of our achievements and
look toward the coming years with
an assured feeling Of even greater
material success. At the same time,
the contemplation Of what our ply
steal progress involves and Of the re-
which 1t imposes, is too
little in our minds, and seldom brings
have. The plans Of the present are
too engrossing and the ever-onwaro
movement Is too full Of effort and
zest for the average participant In
present-day activities to take time to
pause for the analysis OF existing ten
denotes, or to formulate rules OF private
and public conduct which will insure
a permanent and wholesome CONNER
cial and industrial edifce.
It is here that We need the assist
ance of our higher seats of learning.
They cannot and must not neglect the
significant present. Their duties ana
responsibilities are clearly evident and !
are more pressing and exacting than
those of any other class OF institutions
We have gained much from our tech
meal and agricultural schools. Their
work has been and will continue to
be OF the greatest Importance. We
must have an equal service Of diff
ferent but even Of a more needed and
universities. Young men must be
trained to handle properly the complex
problem Of business and corporate life
which our material development has
brought into existence There must
also be training for public life,
which will insure the proper sdapta-
ton of the new industrial and COM
mercial forces to the old Institutions
Of Virginia and the South The tradi-
tons and ideals OF the old South. which
time has approved as the basis for
Southern manhood. must be maintain
ed and transmitted in all their original
lovcliness TO future generations.
Fifteen years ago a school OF econ
ornics and politics was established at
Washington and Lee University Three
years later, when its founder, the
lsmented William /. Wilson, died. this
new department. through the seneros-
ity Of his friends. was placed or a
permanent endowment After the ac-
cession OF President Alderman 10 the
heatsai2 Of the university. a school
OF politics and economies was also
founded at that Institution. The work
thus inaUgurated at Lexington and
Charlottesville has been carried for
ward with increasing success and with
great and lasting benefit 20 virginia
AID the Southern States. Both tn.
University and Washington and Lee. as
well as other Institutions in Virginia.
should lay special stress upoa the de-
vsloonent Q: taese and similar Depart
raeHtS. They are performing public
service and Meeting a vial need. They
also eOasJitgJs a ground o. hope for all
tina; IS best ~ the future Business
Hea shoaId give this work oo-opera-
tion and substantial assistance. our
Legislators and or citizen. should sec
q.