Washington and Lee University - Calyx Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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To the mind of the writer this hitter faet — tlic inspiration of a year ' s association with Pres. Wilson in fouiuhni; the econoniie department — has been the most significant factor in Mr. Wilhs ' work at Washington and Lee. Since the lamented death of President Wilson, the spirit which constrained him in establishing the work in economics and politics, has been the spirit which has animated Mr. Willis in carrying forward the work. In other words, one of the chief features of Mr. Willis ' work has been preserving and putting into practice the ideals enunciated and cherished by President Wil- son. The mantle of the patriotic beloved college president fell upon the shoulders of Mr. Willis, and he has shown himself to l)e a faithful follower and e.xecutorof his leader ' s wishes. Among the young men of the South and the country at large who have come under his influence, he has sought to generate and develop the desire and power of independent, original re- search, to foster the habits and ability of independent judgment, to ac- quaint them with the origin and historic growth of our institutions, with the fundamental principles of government, and so to enrich them with the re- sults of human experience fliat they can decide on thin or that policy as it may .strengthen or weahen our freedom , upon tli is or that econom ic doctrine, us it may advance or impair the genercd welfare; above all, to make them intelliyent and strony leaders, not servile and ill-informed followers of popular opinion or self beneficiaries of popular delusions. But, as has been said before, Mr. Willis ' work has not consisted alone in being the conservator and executor of President Wilson ' s ideals. He has brought to this important task a distinct personality of his own which has formed a fitting supplement to the influence of President Wilson. His in- tellectual honesty, his high conceptions of civic duty, his unceasing energy, and, as it were, unlimited capacity for work, have been not only a stimula- tion, but an ins])iration to his students. The men under his directions have felt the necessity of seeking after truth, and of aciiuiring right principles of thought and action. They have also felt a broader sympathy with men and affairs. The real teacher, like the poet, is born not made. His functions are not comprehended in the setting of tasks, the hearing of rec- itations, and in the delivery of brilliant and interesting lectures. On the contrary they consist in the impress of character, the implanting of high conceptions, and the stimulation to independent and correct habits of thought. Such a teacher will make a distinct impression upon his students during their college days, but it is in looking backward after leaving the

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fl science of f oveniinent whicli he rif;htly deemed, the most important know- ledfjc in a repuhhe. We must preserve and make more fruitful the old leaniiiif, ' . We nuist broaden, as rapidly as possible, our facilities for scien- tific instruction and research, having in view not only general culture, but the bread-winning necessities of our people, and to all those we must add sound preparation for citizenship in a self-governing republic. It is no longer enough to disseminate classical education, to explore the fields of physical science, to turn out clergymen, lawyers, physicians, intelligent farmers, successful business men, builders and managers of railroads, min- ing, electrical and civil engineers. If the South is to produce for her own service, if she is to contribute, as in days past, to the whole country, statesmen, legislators and judges, able to maintain her influence and proper dignity as a great section of the Ameri- can Union, her sons must continue to give, as Mr. Blaine says their fathers gave, deed study to the science of government; and if. amid the harder condi- tions that confront them, after leaving college, they are no longer able to give that study in the leisure and seclusion of their own libraries, the proper foundations for it must be laid in the schools of learning. The supreme necessity for such studies, if we are to perpetuate government by the people and bear our freedom unscathed through all the perils that beset its progress, needs not to be dwelt upon. Such were the ideals of President Wilson in founding the Department of Economics and Politics at Washington. Such was the training and char- acter of Mr. Willis when he came to take charge of that Department. The work of Mr. Willis has been the resultant of these forces — the working out of Mr. Wilsons ideals through tlie medium of Mr. Willis efforts. Those who knew President Wilson, however casually, have felt that there was something finer in the man. than anything which he .said. Even the students of the University during his brief presidency have testified since his death that the impress of his character, received during their college days has been one of the strongest and most uplifting influences of their lives. As has been truly said, he was a college president without double dealing or equivocatit)n. single interview or transaction with him inspired an absolute confidence which re(|uired and could receive no increment, so perfect was its completeness. A week of his acquaintance carried with it an absolute approval of his ideals, aims, and methods. A year with him furnished an inspiration which would last as long as life itself. ■Ul U: ' urn } r

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circuins( riliod coiloi e world for the wider activities of life, tliat tlie stii lcnt will now fully a])|)reeiate liis true worth and iiis lastinj; ' influence unoii their lives. In this class of tea -hers, Mr. Willis helonj rs. When the student leaves the shelterinir walls of Washington and Lee, and takes up the duties ami burdens of life, his estimate of Mr. Willis ' worth as a teacher and ruide grows in retrospect as the college gate recedes farther and farther from view and the possible problems of livelihood and citizenship demand solution. Mention might be made of Mr. Willis ' work as a |)ul)licist and journal- ist, for the same aims ami characteristics are apparent there as in his service as a teacher. Hut here we are concerned only with his work and influence for the students of Wasliington and Lee and for the broailcr interests of the South. Tims far his efforts have been all that could be desired. They will have a lasting value. With the further facilities made ])ossibleby the Wilson Memorial Fund, and the ])ropose l plans for extending the work and for providing a permanent home for the department of economics and politics, we may expect to see under tiie direction of Mr. Willis the scope of its influence expanded, the ideals of its founder given wider circulation, and an ever increasing numl)er of young men given a sound preparation for citizenship in a self-governing republic. W. Jf.TT Ij. UCK. W SHINGTON AND Lep: UnIVKRSITY.