Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-22
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
TO OPEN AS USUAL IN FALL
Preaident #. A. Alderman Isauen Of
hcinl Statement Denying Rumors
to the Contrary.
Especial to The Times Dispatch1

Especial to The Times Dispatch1
CHARLOTTESVILLE VA, July 20.
DIR. Edwin A. Alderman. president
of the University of Virginia to-day
issued the following statement deny
ing officially the many false rumors
circulated to the effect that the uni
versity will not open this fall. DIR.
| Aiderman'S official statement follows:
| There was some Generalization, loss
of poise, in American universities and
colleges during the spring term. And
we should not wonder at that. The
mighty stir of war put to all of us,
old and young. new and searching
questions. Old accustomed paths were
broken up. and old well-ordercd plans
disrupted. Many rumors gained cur
| rency as to what would happen in
university life. and many ideas. more
or less hurtful. got abroad about coll
lege work and college duties Tho
very solemnity of the time, however.
as the days have passed, has restored
to US quieter mood and juster ways
of thought. Some things stand out
clear and we'll defined in colleges. as
in the nation at large. Let us look
them simply and sQuarely in the face
The primary duty at this time of all
men is. OF course. to the nation. We
are In righteous war to defend our
honor, protect our interests and main
tain our ideals. The nation needs her
adult sons. and they should go as they
are called. OF volunteer il need be-
We have faith that they will be called
with wisdom and according to their
abilities and merits, and that they will
go with inheSible purpose, and brave
hearts. Men over twenty-one years
OF age are at the call of tho republic.
and their duty lies where her need is
greatest. II the country needs them
IN medicine, engineering, or scientific
labor. their worn Is as patriotic in
these fields as it would be il done in
trench or battle line. Properly trained
youths under twenty-one years will
ma In universities and colleges their
n N training ground for highest pa
triotic service. Let us remember that
our country has future as we'll as
present and that the colleges and
universities, in very real sense. hold
.nat future. The great processes of
.eachihG and learning, which are as
80 81 As preparation for war, must
go on. We All recall how young men
In the Civil War lost all chance of
proper training and opportunity for
leadership. England has had a tr,ric
experience. because out OF her uni
Hersities young men have poured. re-
shrdless OF the fact that science and
learning must live in nation W.
cannot incur the risk of losing tho in
tellectual leaders of the comin, tin.
me war itself is n scientific war and
ends. We shall need, as
other nations have found. to cont;nna
nnremittingly at the task of "a.
search. study. and preparation. can
MINK OF no higher form Of patriot
ism. therefore. than the patrjot-
ism OF the man who makes sacrifices r.
uu MS young son. between seventeen
ana twenty years of age to COLLEGE or
university this fall. No circumstances
can justify the strangling of scientific
ana educational training and the kill
ING OF the educational PREPARATION ~
youth. Every effort, therefore, that
pa.sio.ism. seif-sacritice and common
sense can make should be made to keen
universities and colleges vigorous and
ieauF 10 teach young men who come to
thcm Tor instruction next year. All
this is perfectly consistent with the
highest ideal of national service.
ii colleges and universities should he
crippled and devitalized, the resultant
loss would be greater than the loss of
campaign, for learning must live. and
We VINO direct it's work must take care
.hat II hves Therefore let us all hold
IN mind that the University of Virginia
VIII open al the usual time in SEMEN
Der and continue its regular work. with
cain and steadfast purpose to do its
auty by the young men who gather in |
It's walls. TO the end that they NAV be /,
MADE mt for republican citizenship alike |
curing the storm of war, II unhappily |
II should long endure, and for the |
greater tasks of readiustment and re- |
construction which peace will so surely !,
bring. There will be need of hard |
work. sensible economy. and simpler |
living. but these are in themselves
noble disciplines, and the result, I dare
say. will be fuller and happier lives.
"ell-hled ranks in the university
mean wen-led ranks in the armies and |
a )uster social order when war gives
place to peace
The University OF Virginia and its
sister colleges have given freely of
their young life for the trenches, the
camps, the navy and the air: but we
must not lose our heads and fail to
remember that civilization is in a deep
crater, that intellect and character
must pull 1t out. and that the college
lis the training ground for intellect and
character.