 | Board of Visitors minutes November 27, 1917 |  |
November 27, 1917.
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors was held on
this date at 10:3- o'clock, with the following present: Rector
Gordon and Visitors Craddock, Michie, Turnbull, Hatton and
Walker, and President Alderman.
Mr Cyrus Harding Walker, appointed to fill the unexpired
term of Dr. Frank W. Lewis, resigned, presented the certificate
of his qualifications as a Visitor, and was welcomed as a member
of the body.
The special matter for consideration by the Board was that
Adjunct Professor and Director of the School of Journalism in
the University, in an address before the Current Events Club
of Sweet Briar Institute on November 20, 1917, in the
following words, which he admitted he had been caused to
be printed in the public press:
PROF. WHIPPLE A PACIFIST
Sweet Briar, Va., Nov. 20. —"I am a pacifist for the
plain, logical reason that war just does not work. War does
not remove the menace of autocracy, or make the world safe for
democracy, or even protect our own democracy. Therefore
peace is only a common-sense alternative, and we as practical
people, should be busy trying new, noble, even visionary
methods of securing peace with the results we say we seek."
This view was stated by Prof. Leon Whipple, director
of the School of Journalism of the University of Virginia
in an address on "The Meaning of Pacifism" before the Current
Events Club of Sweet Briar College this evening. Mr. Whipple
was an editorial writer in Richmond and Washington and has
been prominent in social service movements in Virginia, as
well as a contributor to leading magazines. He served in
the Publicity Department of the Peoples Council—the leading
pacifist organization this summer.
"So I believe to work for peace, most of all during war,
is the highest humanity," continued Mr. Whipple, "That is why
I gave money to the cause of Morris Hillquit, instead of investing
in Liberty Bonds at four per cent. I was moved by the
same spirit, I hope, that made two of my ancestors sign the
Declaration of Independence, and my grandfather enlist under
Jeb Stuart. That spirit today serves freedom by peace, not
war.
"I believe we can still make this United States glorious
by its stand for peace, despite the fact that the nation sacrificed
its grandest oppotrunity when it entered the war. It
lost this because we did not have the courage to remain too
sensible to fight and because we could not welcome with brains
and vision any substitute for war. War is the easiest way
for it is conventional, common-place, while the creation of
new ideals is hard and dangerous. But we can begin everywhere
to take advantage of ways toward peace, for the least
of them is better than war which gets nowhere at all.
"Russia has had courage and vision we failed to reveal.
She is not afraid to try new hopes in her own life, and toward
all the peoples of earth. She will be the spiritual
leader of the next generation because she has faith. No real
catastrophe can happen to Russia — her inner spirit protects
her, and will convert even the Germans who may invade her.
You cannot exploit a nations' soul.
"Cries of treason, suppression of free speech and press
cannot stop the peace labors. Compare the spirit of Jane
Addams, Herbert Bigelow, David Starr Jordan, lives dedicated
for years to human service, with the spirit of the politicians,
money-masters, and exploiters who are now loudest for war
and democracy while they were before its gravest perils. Which
will win?
"It is silly and futile for pacifists to talk about resisting
conscription. I am conscripted. Every time I send
a word of love by mail to my mother, I give an extra cent
to help kill some other mother's sons. The only way I can
escape is by dying. My conscience cannot protect me from
sharing in this slaughter. But it can keep me from acquiescing.
"Is democracy safe in America when women may be called
to face this — that a son be ordered to France to die in the
trenches to make the world safe for democracy, while at the
same time his mother, whose home he seeks to protect, is thrown
into jail with criminals because she asks the first right of
any democracy — the right of suffrage? Do you wonder women
are pacifists?
"Peace without victory is still the only peace, for all
others are truces before worse wars. We might exterminate the
German nation, or wall them in with armed men, but thus they
would defeat us still by making us autocrats. We can win
only be freeing the spirit of democracy in the German by good
will, not war. We may win, or draw, this war, but the task
of democracy remains just the same— to purify our own life
and to act toward all nations so they may trust us, and desire
to enjoy the blessings of peace and goodwill and democracy
we show them we have won."
President Alderman stated that immediately upon reading
the account of the speech furnished to the press by Prof.
Whipple, he issued a statement to the press giving his
personal and official repudiation of the sentiments and doctrines
therein set forth, and that a committee of the faculty, acting
matter, which was signed by all who could at the time be
reached, which statement was also given immediately to the
press, and that at a general meeting of the faculty the matter
was discussed, and resolutions condemning the said utterance
adopted unanimously. President Alderman further stated that
he had received a large number of telegrams and letters from
prominent alumni and alumni chapters throughout the country
condemning the utterances and calling for action on the part
of the University. Among the telegrams and letters received
may be mentioned the following:
Governor H. C. Stuart,
Senators Thomas S. Martin and Claude A. Swanson,
Congressmen Hal. D. Flood, Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the House of Representatives,
and Carter Glass, Chairman Committee on Banking and
Finance,Eppa Hunton, Jr.,
Gordon McCabe,
The Lynchburg Alumni Chapter,
The Staunton Alumni Chapter,
The Washington Alumni Chapter,
The Newport News Alumni Chapter,
The Richmond Alumni Chapter,
The Roanoke Alumni Chapter.
President Alderman stated that he had requested Prof.
Whipple to be present at this meeting of the Board. Prof.
Whipple was then invited to appear, and did so, and remained
throughout the consideration of the case.
It was the consensus of opinion of the Board that the
meeting should be an open one and that any one who cared to
attend should be admitted. The Rector stated to Prof. Whipple
that he had the right to have counsel appear in his behalf, if
he so desired, or any other person or persons whom he might
he saw fit, to answer, or decline to answer, any questions
that might be propounded to him. It was learned that Prof.
R. H. Wilson desired to be heard in Prof. Whipple's behalf,
and was invited to attend.
President Alderman laid before the Board his official
report upon the matter as follows:
I hereby lay before you, in the discharge
of my duty as President of the University, a portion of
an address made on November 20th at Sweet Briar College
by Professor Leon R. Whipple, Adjunct Professor of
Journalism in this University, and certain letters showing
that it was the deliberate purpose of Professor
Whipple, in his capacity as a professor of this University,
to conduct a far-reaching propaganda for the promulgation
of the sentiments therein expressed.
In the further discharge of a duty inherent
in the nature of my office, I am required to accompany
these presentments of fact with a definite recommendation
for action.
In the performance of his normal duties as
a teacher here, Professor Whipple has exhibited energy,
capacity, and attention to duty, and in many external
ways has been a very useful member of the faculty. As
student and teacher, I have always had for him feelings
of kindliness and good will. The sacred right of freedom
of speech so closely bound up with our University spirit
has been freely accorded to Professor Whipple as to
all members of the teaching staff, but manifestly there
is a limit, in law and reason, to this right, and Professor
Whipple has plainly abused and distorted that right. In
my judgment and in the judgment of all of his colleagues
the address of Prof. Whipple herein submitted, however
sincerely held or sincerely uttered, constitutes in its
totality and in its specific utterances a document of
disloyalty; a counsel of national dishonor; a frank incitement
to inactivity in the presence of aggression; a condemnation
of the Government and of national leadership; a
plea for the impairment of the nation's spirit and energy
in the face of grave internal peril and foreign war; a disparagement
based on freedom rather than to accept; without a struggle,
a peace based on servitude.
Holding this judgment of Prof. Whipple's utterances
and knowing that he not only believes what he says
but feels in duty bound to propagate his theories everywhere
within his power outside of his class-room, I reach the conclusion, with deep personal regret, that Professor
Whipple cannot longer properly discharge the duties of
a professor in this University, which is committed to the
necessity and righteousness of this war and is proudly
sending its sons, graduate and undergraduate, to the battle
line. It is therefore, incumbent upon me to recommend
to the Rector and Visitors that they declare the appointment
of Leon R. Whipple as Adjunct Professor of Journalism
to be rescinded and the Chair of Journalism to be vacant
from this date.
President Alderman then presented the resolutions adopted
by the General Faculty, as follows:
It having come to the attention of the General Faculty
of the University that in a recent public address (a
copy of which is hereto attached) Prof. Leon R. Whipple,
Director of the School of Journalism, has given utterance
to sentiments which, in the judgment of the members of this
Faculty, are unpatriotic and disloyal - if not seditious
- and which, in the face of a foreign war, gravely threatening
the safety and honor of this Republic, plainly tend
to give aid and comfort to its enemies;
And it appearing further that Prof. Whipple's offense
has been aggrevated by the circumstances that advance
copies of his address were supplied by him to the public
press of this State, with the obvious purpose of disseminating
these disloyal opinions among the people - opinions
the more rapidly made current when uttered by of professor
of the State University;
This Faculty, in the exercise of that academic freedom
which it profoundly cherishes, and which it believes
Prof. Whipple to have distorted and abused, now places
on record its repudiation of Prof. Whipple's sentiments,
its condemnation of his propaganda, and its judgment
that the deliberate public expression of such opinions
is discreditable to a teacher in this University, the
consistent policy of which has been, from the inception
of the present war, to instill into its sons, graduate
and undergraduate, the spirit of loyalty to their Government
and the determination to present an undivided front to
its enemies.
President Alderman submitted Prof. Whipple's letter
to the Lynchburg News, enclosing advance copy of his proposed
address to be delivered at Sweet Briar, and also the
letter to Prof. Maphis, Chairman of the Extension Bureau
of the University, in which Prof. Whipple requested that his
name be placed on the list of available speakers for addresses
to be delivered on a subject entitled "The Ideals of a Pacifist".
Prof. Whipple was shown both of these letters and
acknowledged that he wrote them. The letters are as follows:
Lynchburg News
Lynchburg, Va.
I enclose an advance story on an
address I shall make at Sweet Briar College tonight.
I think it may be of interest in your territory as a
Sweet Briar event, and also because of the larger
interests involved. I hope you will find room for at
least some of this as these principles cannot be too
often enunciated.
Your editor, Mr. Addison, can
guarantee my responsibility if any need arise.
I will appreciate your courtesy,
and I am
November 19
1917
Bureau of Extension
University of Virginia
I response to your recent request
to the Faculty of the University for changes in, or additions
to, the list of subjects to be offered as free extension
changes:
Please list me for the following addresses -
1. The Ideals of a Pacifist (Current Events)
2. The Modern Newspaper (Popular)
3. Poems of Childhood (Popular Reading)
Please cancel the offering of all other subjects
offered by me in the past to throw emphasis on these,
and especially on the lecture on "The Ideals of a Pacifist."
I ask specifically that you print this subject,
and I hope in the first position for emphasis. I am
anxious to offer this as my single subject, and should
this meet with your approval I trust you will announce
this and nothing else.
I will fill any dates at any place in so far
as my University work and strength permit. I will pay
my own travelling expenses and board so that you can
offer this especial lecture absolutely without cost to
any group. If you receive requests for free speakers, I
hope you will inform me that I may consider filling
such engagements. Of your action in this matter I would
be glad to be informed, and I shall be pleased to confer
with you at once, or hereafter.
The reason for this request is my deep
belief that a knowledge of the facts and actions of the
peace movement, and a true understanding of the aims
of pacifism, is of the greatest value, now in war, and
to help make the peace that sometime waits us. The
pacifist movement is so strong in this nation and the
world that we cannot advance without seeing what it
means and listening to its message. The duty of the
University to spread all truth for the service of the
people demands that we offer some interpretation of a
great, hopeful, moral factor in our lives. We cannot miss
this duty without being recreant to the spirit of the
Founder and of all universities. The president, Dr.
Alderman, wisely put this in Faculty meeting when he
declared that it would be part of the University's
duty to oppose the evils of militarism. I think we
must guard the ideals of peace even most carefully
when they are most endangered - that is during war.
I offer myself as a means of fulfilling
this part of the University's duty. I ask it both as a
With expressions of appreciation to you,
I am
Adjunct Professor of Journalism,
and Director of the School of
Journalism
University of Virginia.
Prof. Whipple was then requested to make any statement
that he might care to touching the question, whereupon he
submitted the following paper:
of the University of Virginia
You are asked to dismiss me from the Faculty
of the University of Virginia for uttering, publicly,
the truth as revealed to my conscience. I am charged
with acts that are declared not in accord with the purposes
of this nation in the present war, and therefore,
I can no longer be of service in this public institution,
and am unfit to teach the youth who come to seek truth.
I deny that in speaking the truth so far as
it can be revealted to one human being's mind and heart
I injure the real and noble ideals of this nation, dim
the glory of the University, or am less fitted to teach
its students. I deny that I have endangered the true
greatness or safety of this nation, for its single
greatness and its single safety is the right of truth
to prevail. I deny that I have harmed an institution
founded by a great lover of human liberty, Thomas Jefferson,
in order that the democracy of this State might
seek and learn the truth wherever it might lead.
You know by every past progress of mankind
that truth is revealed slowly, in many ways, to minorities,
and that no age or majority can decalre it possesses
all the truth. Therefore, no one of you or even this
commonwealth can judge of my ideals, but are forced to
trust to the spirit of liberty as preserved in the principle
of free speech. War cannot suspend that principle for
in it alone this nation, and humanity, can find their
last protection from the rule of force. We can win this
the liberty of which this principle is the model in the
very nations with which we are at war., and by cherishing
it in our national life as the sole means of progress, and
that it might be guarded as to remain the noble hope of the
resurrection of our liberties in the face of all defeat.
But the right of free speech is not an academic
principle; it must be exercised for its full glory, and
exercised under the very conditions we face today - against
the sincere and passionate belief of the majority in matters
they believe of supreme importance to their existence and
future. Therefore, democracy in its wisdom recognizing
these facts has guaranteed to men the right to speak the
truth as they see it for the sake of the democracy. The
sole tests to be used are not the nature of the asserted
truths, but the sincerity of the speaker, and the value
of his gifts. My sincerity is asserted by all who know me,
and proves itself to strangers by my frankness in the face
of heavy penalties. The value of my intellectual and spiritual
gifts can be judged from my life.
The only injury, then, I could do this University
would be to deny the truth I possessed or to keep it secret
out of fear when I knew that it could serve the people who
erected this place of learning that it might seek and declare
the truth - and who, in the end, will demand no other
duty of this institution.
Therefore, gentlemen of the Board of Visitors, I
answer to this charge that the voicing of the small part
of truth which any man can have as revealed by his conscience
does not injure this university; it does not sacrifice the
real and noble and human aims for which we believe this
nation was created to serve mankind; and it will not lessen
my power to implant in young men a love of truth and a spirit
of liberty - which are the most gracious gifts you could
ask for the sons of Virginia, or for your own sons.
Under your solemn obligation to Virginia and the nation,
and their peoples, and faced with the eternal influence your
action this day will have on the spirit of the University we
love, you must decide whether you will dismiss from further
usefulness in this institution an individual who seeks the
truth and dares proclaim to the people who founded this institution
what he believes to be the truth that will help
them - or whether you will guard and cherish in this University,
the spirit of truth, serene and beautiful even above
the passions and dangers of war, in order that here, at least
in all the world, freedom may not perish from the earth, but
live to light with its wisdom and guide with its hopes the
peoples of this earth beyond wrath and fear into brotherhood and
peace.
Prof. R. H. Wilson was afforded an opportunity to present
his views of the matter, and addressed the body at some
length in support of Prof. Wnipple's retention, contending that
while he did not agree with the sentiments expressed by
Prof. Whipple, yet thought the University, if it dismiss
Prof. Whipple would be taking a step calculated to suppress
the right of free speech on the part of professors of the
University of Virginia.
Following a general discussion of the question, Mr.
Hatton presented the following resolution, which was adopted
unanimously, viz: Ayes, Messrs. Craddock, Michie, Turnbull,
Hatton and Walker, and Gordon:
Whereas it has come to the attention of the Rector and
Visitors of the University of Virginia that in an address to
the students of Sweet Briar Institute, on the 20th day of
November, 1917, Professor Leon R. Whipple, Director of the
School of Journalism in the University of Virginia, has given
utterance to statements which, in the opinion of the Rector
and Visitors of the University of Virginia, are unpatriotic
and disloyal to the United States, if not seditious, and which,
at a time when the United States is defending its people
in the most devastating war of all history, threaten the safety
and honor of the nation and tend to give comfort and aid to its
enemies.
And whereas, it appears that Professor Whipple's offense
is aggravated by the fact that advance copies of his address
were given by him to the press with the plain purpose to disseminate
these unpatriotic and disloyal utterances among the
people; and these utterances have been given special significance
by the fact that they emanated from one of the faculty
of this University.
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That although fully committed both in theory and
practice to the freedom of academic thought and expression on
the part of members of the faculty, the Rector and Visitors
of the University of Virginia do regard these utterances as a
record their condemnation of this propaganda.
Be it further
Resolved, That the appointment of Leon R. Whipple as Adjunct
Professor of Journalism be and is hereby rescinded, and
that the Chair of Adjunct Professor of Journalism be and is
hereby declared vacant.
Messrs. White, Irvine and Norton who were unable to attend
the meeting, communicated to the Board their views in the
matter, as set out; to wit:
University, Va.
Following my telegram twenty-fourth, Mrs. White wishes
Dr. Alderman and the Board of Visitors to know that
the newspaper account of Whipple's utterances have been
read to Mr. White, and also Senator Martin's comments
upon same. Mr. White heartily endorses the matter.
University, Va.
Greatly regret engagement here prevents my attending
Board meeting tomorrow. Assuming object is to consider
Whipple, not wishing to condemn without hearing,
but based on correctness of reports, my voice is for
summary dismissal. Jefferson's University is not fit
soil for seeds of treason.
Nov. 26, 1917.
President's Office,
University of Virginia.
I have just received notice from Mr. Carruthers
of a meeting of the Board called for to-morrow, Tuesday.
Mr. Carruthers wired me Saturday, but I was out of town
until this morning.
I have an idea that the meeting is in reference
to our disloyal professor. It was a great shock to me,
as I supposed that if there was one place in the country
that would be free from German sympathy, it would be
the University of Virginia. I suppose, of course, this
professor will be removed at once, but that action would
not meet out the proper punishment to such a wretch.
Unfortunately, I have an engagement with Mr. Joseph
Packard in Baltimore for tomorrow morning, which it is
impossible for me to change, and so I cannot attend the
meeting, but I am writing you with request that I may
be recorded in favor of the most drastic action that can
be taken. It is painful to me to feel that I cannot be
present, but I am sure the whole Board will feel just exactly
as I do about the matter.
Sincerely yours,
The question of payment of salary to Prof. Whipple was
disposed of in the following resolution, unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That Mr. Leon R. Whipple be paid the balance due
on the salary which he received as adjunct professor, up to
the first day of February, 1918.
President Alderman stated to the Board that Mrs. Eleanor
A. Kent, widow of Dr. Charles W. Kent, who died on October 6th,
1917, had been placed on the list of the Carnegie Endowment for
the Advancement of Teaching, as one of its beneficiaries, and
would receive the sum of $77.08 per month from October 6th, and
asked for instructions as to continuing the monthly payments
to Mrs. Kent of the salary heretofore paid to her husband, and
it was agreed that such payments should continue to December
31st, 1917.
Professor Francis H. Smith, Emeritus Professor of Natural
Philosophy, who for a number of years, has made his home with
Pavilion V, under the usual terms, which was granted.
The matter of the legacy to the University of Virginia
contained in the will of Colonel Oliver H. Payne, was considered.
Prof. W. M. Lile, who had been requested to make
some investigation of the law as touching the rights of the
University in the case, submitted a written opinion thereon,
and took part in the general discussion of the question.
The matter was disposed of in the following resolution,
which was adopted:
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
occupying as they do a position of trust, and having been
advised that they are legally entitled to the legacy of
$200,000., under the will of the late Col. O. H. Payne, and
further influenced by the implication from all the circumstances
of the case, that it was the intention of the testator that
such legacy should stand unrevoked, feel that they would not
be justified in renouncing the legacy, and therefore, must
decline to do so.
It having been brought to the attention of the Board that
inconvenience is frequently experienced by the professors and
students of the University residing on or having classes on
the grounds of the University, by the limitations of the season
for operating the central heating plant, under a resolution
adopted June 10, 1907, reading:
"Resolved, That the central heating plant be operated
from October 18th to May 5th of each year".
it was, on motion of Mr. Michie,
RESOLVED: That the resolution adopted June 10, 1907, be and
is hereby rescinded.
On motion, the Board then adjourned.
Rector.
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes November 27, 1917 | |