1. THE POTENCY OF IDEALS
The influence of the University of Virginia upon public education in the
State has been in evidence, more or less potently, both directly and indirectly
for the full century or more of the institution's history. First of all, it seems
to me, we should recognize and appreciate the ideas and the ideals that gave
the University birth and that have ever given character to its life. When
this institution was conceived in the vision of Mr. Jefferson he thought of it
as a part of a great whole: a comprehensive gradation of schools that should
include all of our citizens in its liberal provisions. In short, he desired
elementary schools and secondary schools as well as a university. He did
not perhaps employ the same terminology that we employ to-day, but in his
dream he saw schools and teachers for little children, schools and teachers
for rank and callow youth, as well as a school and teachers for those older,
maturer students who are anxious and able to climb to the sunlit heights.
It took many years of waiting, many years of working, to get Jefferson's
full plan wrought out and accepted; but we rejoice in this good day in the
belief that it is now being perfected and appreciated. And all through the
years his ideal was a potent influence, a whisper of inspiration that men
heard in their moments of reflection, a mighty call to progress in every day
of intellectual and moral action.
One may say, therefore, that a complete public school system was part
of the program under which the University was founded and under which it
has, for the most part, been operated. During the last half-century especially,
this program has been unfolded more and more clearly, with more
and more definiteness and force, from year to year.
