Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-04


My Dear pr. Mitchell Regarding
the merger Of our medical scnooI.
should like :" see in Virginia a med
zeal college large enough To meet the
needs OF all medical students of IN.
South and distinguished enough to
command the respect and to enjoy tn.
fellowship of IN" leading medical
COLLEGES IN any other part OF the
world.
"uf course. in its d.vclopm.n:
such a college should CORRESPOND ts
nearly as possible TO all thni IS i'm
p!!rd IN the idea OF complete ucdi-
cal college III modern times. ana by
us several departments. IL should aim
To cover scientifically the Who'll. Held
or human pathology. tina, means a
very great number of distinct Sec
lions or buildings. Il great body OF
professional groups coalcscinr into
on" large and distinguished faculty.
4 sufficient number and variety OF
hospitals and clinics for the students
ana also a sufficient number OF com
i"rtIhi" quarters for large body of
STUDENTS ~ very moderate rates. with
hu" provision also for the cs,hcrlc.
social and spiritual needs Of the stu
dent body.
Besides, II" medical college Of Vir-
Slnia wiil ever he able to pay it's
enough 10 enable them to live with
"iGnliy upon their salary alone, ana
'hcrti"r" they must have some uo-
portunity by the practice OF their
profession in some large center to
supplement the !nSuiiicicncy Of their
h"n"rarium. All this | think is i'm
piicd III the idea Of Il complete mol
l'ai school in modern times. and 1
know no plrSc in Virginia where
Ia.
greater proximity than in Richmond.
Tue capital OF the Commonwealth
ana sun even while located i'm
i.ichn"nd the College would still! he
Inc Medical College OF the University
at virginia. because existing under
It's charter. subject Ia its authority
and awarding diplomas signed hy tho
president.
ON account Of the difficulties Of
transportation Of the time, gcogra-
rhicai unity was essential for the life
and growth Of the group Of colleges
that formed the university of the
middle ages Now all that is changed
by the railroad. the telegraph and the
telephone. and the only unity re-
CURED for the growth Of a university
IN modern times is a corporate, Il
moral and administrative identity. In
It's beginning the University of Paris
was confined within tho limits Of the
city. To-day by the multiplication OF
its branch colleges the university
controls the whole territory OF
France. Anywhere within the limits
OF this State the University OF Nir-
ginia may establish "a home and carry
the blessings of it's courses Ia tho
people in the large centers Of popula-
! tion. W" should not try to keep II
in Swahdling clothes all it's life time.
nor expect IL To live and die in it's
sacred cradle. Mr.. Jefferson was Il
progressive with little regard for the
| authority or sentiment of tradition,
and unless his university, moved by
his spirit. obcys the law Of develop
mcnt and grows from the limitations
| Of cradlchood to the full freedom
and activity az manhood, there is
danger that other institutions may
arise to appropriate to themselves
| the neglected opportunities. or that
eager students may turn away from
the sacred memories to seek greater
| cdura tional advantages In more mod
crn and highly developed institutions.
! \ university is not like sacrch
| sanctuary Of religion which by its
/ associations is confined Ia tho soil or
/ some sanctifcd spot. The soil Of
university is tho glowing need Of
| the professor and OF his pupil. and
wherever their relations flourish best
/ thcrc Is the place for university col
lcgc.
Believe mo.
VERY respectfully yours,
"D. ]. O'CONNELL"
| Rich mOnd. w Sent 40. 1921