The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-06
I'd Number of
the Ten School
Sections of 1913
Emory and Henry, Richmond College
and others.

1t was no sectarian spirit which led
to the establishment of these and like
colleges under the auspices of certain
of great religious organizations of the
State. 1t was felt, to be sure, that the
churches were entitled to schools where
young men could be trained in a definite
way for the ministry; but it was
believed, in spirit of genuine liberality
and true brotherhood, that there should
be in every part of the State colleges
where young men of promise could be
given higher education at reasonable
prices. That this was true view, the
splendid roster of alumni which every
Virginia college boasts and the great
public services which the faculties Of
all have rendered fully attest. .,
The Institutes Place. p;
There remained but one thing to be
done before the framework of Vir-
ginia's higher educational system was
in place. That one thing was to inaugu-
rate the beginnings Of technical and
professional training. 1t was this
spirit which led to the establishment of
the first medical college in the State.
1t was this same spirit which led to the
establishment of the Virginia Military
Institute
The latter school deserves more than
passing notice, for the simple reason
that its purpose was early misunder-
stood and slandered. Some saw in the
movement which made the Virginia
Military Institute a great school the
preparation of the South for war. 1t
was bold attempt, alleged the profess
slonal trouble-makers of the North, to
give military training to young men in
order that they might use that training
against the Federal authorities.
AS matter of fact, the movement
which led to the establishment during
the thirties and forties of military
schools in various States of the country
was, as has been stated, simply step
towards technical education. The
beginnings of the remarkable indus
trial upheaval which came with the first
railroad building we're already being
felt, and it was the universal belief that
the South needed to train it's engineers
for an honorable part in this vast work.
Military training was desirable, not for
itself only, but for that discipline which
it carried with it.
In the same way, the movement to
establish medical colleges in the South
was the manifestation of like spirit.
If men were trained for the law, the
ministry and business, they should be
trained for the other professions, and
particularly for the healing arts. How
well the makers of these technical
schools builded the work Of their
alumni will witness.
The Framework Complete.
Thus the new system came into
being, and thus the framework of Vir-
ginia's higher educational system was
made complete. In adjoining States the
same forces were at work, the same
system was being employed and the
same results were being accomplished.
From the day the boy entered the
academy to begin his first struggle with
Latin and algebra until he graduated
in law, in theology in arts, in engineer
ing or in medicine, there was for him
proper place of training.
But the framework was not the fin
ished structure Adapting itself to the
needs of a changing age and giving to
the young men of the State that equip
ment they needed, the State speedily
found itself in need of better training
for its daughters, training for business,