University of Virginia Library

Lady Love

Once — I almost say "Once
upon a time.." — because at one
time, not long ago, there existed a
place in America where a person
could be taken at his word and
trust the people around him. In this
place no one feared for their
property. Courtesy, respect and
integrity were the rule of this
community — the nearest thing to
"love" in the hippie sense that ever
existed. This place was the
University of Virginia.

In a new era "degrees of honor"
have been introduced! Stealing just
a little is not really stealing — it is
only...Lying a little is not taking
unfair advantage of another, is it?
Of course not. And to cheat means
to really hurt someone badly, not
just a little. People believe this and
students now feel that the system is
old and outmoded. Why? When
does personal integrity become
undesirable?

Some will say that this letter is
pure emotion. Unashamedly, I say
it is. The honor system lived
because of the strong belief, love
and faith of those who lived it; not
because of those who feel
oppressed by it. This system
worked! I realize this is hard for
some to believe, but it did. Now,
cynicism has taken over. People are
afraid to let themselves trust in
something that beautiful; afraid to
be called innocent. Would that
hurt? Lady Love cannot live
alongside cynicism. I call for the
end of this beautiful life. Enter the
crass world that we all detest.
Honor cannot be imposed any more
than morality can be legislated. If it
is not fully and completely
supported then it becomes like the
farcical systems of other state
universities.

Virginia's greatness was found,
above all, in its honor system.
Rather than make fun of the best
of life by attempting to force
students to live honorably, let us
quietly lay honor to rest. My only
desire is to be able one day to tell
my children without hesitation,
"Once, true honor lived at The
University. Although it was not
utopia, it was a place in which love,
respect and courtesy guided all
men."