The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-15

In his address. President Aldermen
said:
The forces of the university Assem-
BILE here today on the 1T3d anniversary
of the birth of its founder, in the Tooth
year of the granting of its charter and
In the concluding year of the tense
quadernnium OF the world war.
recall--which one of us can ever for
get--our emotions as one year ago we
carried off this function in this place.
The desperate German tide was surg
ing about Amiens and down the val
ley Of the Soinme toward tho Chan
mel ports. II was the morning OF Sir
Douglas Haigs characteristic English
order, bidding his soldiers stand with
their backs against the wall" There
was haunting sense of disaster in
the very air. / doubt If tn G English
race has known such moment OF
depression since the setting OF the
sun of Austerlitz. Only the stout
hearted kept their faith. How we'll
grounded that faith was all the world
now knows and our care today is not
the anxiety of those whose freedom
other hand the preoccups ton and
pride of the mere conqueror, but
rather the sohriety of the man who
has suffered and prevailed and who
would fatn build wisely the founda-
tons Of new order grounded on
peace and international understand
ing
The year now ending has been as
memorable in academic experience as
it has been in military and political
annals. The university began the term
as military post, seeking by mill
tary methods TO train our youth for
purely military service. | wish I had
time in this brief statement to ex-
press my Judgment of this daring ex-
pertinent in education which the war
department so suddenly thrust upon
American colleges These colleges,
which had already proved themselves
the most mobile and adaptable OF civil
institutions and Iue quickest to re-
spond TO national ideals and needs.
accepted the task in a wholehearted,
ail~tn-the wars work sort of fashion.
and were prepared to carry forward
the undertaking to the last degree of
efficiency to the cpd that the nation
be served, The experiment. though
there inferred in 1t boundless possibili-
ties for investigation. test. and dis
covery in intense training for leader
ship, had no chance for fruition or
practical success. Every possible mis-
fortune hefell il, and It was practically
uullihed before ii was born. I have
only praise both for the men who con-
ccivcd the idea and for those who
were entrusted with tho detail of un-
dertakiug, and 1t shall always live in
our memory as An honest effort OF
high minded and courageous soldiers
and teachers to perform a sort Of edu-
cational miracle In the national de-
fcnse. We have endured at least three
experiences of unusual educational
"a a i'll M t4f 5yI ~ ending the
year strong in purpose and clear in
insight, and l think, finer in spirit.
than ut any time in the last decade.
Wave IF Idcaiism.
For the second time in the last CEN
fury, a bright wave of idealism. duty.
and valor has flowed over the soil of
university life. reconsecrating and en-
richng that soil. SO that / dare say
there shall grow out Of II not only
an objective memorial of adequate
dignity but an inner splendor of mo-
tive and result Erom the above state
ment of fact. it maybe. fairly elaine d
that the university emerges. from the
great ordeal Of war with ar enduring
record of achievement with a new
social vigor, with fairly undeple ted
resources and with a steadfast pur-
pose to face the realities and needs OF
the society which has a right to claim
ltS strength.
! The end OF military autocracy, the
awakening OF the international con
science, the mhroken sway over mems
/ minds of some form of democracy
were the great events OF the year 1918
The ideal OF our American democracy
has always been the notion of MAJ
2ini--a government Of all through all
under tho leadership OF the wisest and
best Thus defined the education OF
fail the people. from primary schools
to the university. lies at the heart of
democracy. This war has revealed In
startling vtvidness not only this fact
but ii has destroyed such mountains
OF waste and so shortened the road &c
clearer and sounder thinking-tha-
we may expect the next ten years tc
be the most revolutionary and fruitful
period in the history OF modern edu-
cation throughout the world
I shall content myself today with
merely stating concisely and briefly
some OF the directions which educa
tionAl progress may be expected t.
follow in this state and university.
]. Virginia Will not rest conten