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

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thus to give adequate expression, not only of admiration for General Lee, but of appreciation of his services. An advisory committee, which includes some of the men highest in the nation ' s respect, has been appointed. Plans of a very definite nature are being made, and Governor Heyvvard announces that he will be ready to launch the movement in a very short while. Already several unsolicited gifts have been made. It is patent that the Lee Memorial Endowment means much to Washington and Lee. It means a Greater University — an institution of unlimited influ- ence for good; it means that at last the hopes of years are about to be realized. Let us not forget in our contemplation of material progress, the essential char- acteristic s of independence, high collegiate standards, intellectual honesty and democracy which have formed so vital a part of our Alma Mater ' s past. In the end they alone constitute all that is worth rescuing from oblivion. They are our traditions, to be surrounded by an impenetrable wall of respect and mem- ory. Without them all the massive growth of which our University is capable can not overreach the limitations of a sordid conception. With them ever pres- ent, it becomes a living, breathing organism, capable of attaining heights of power undreamed, and in its triumphant course using material progress as a means for the personification of long existant ideals.

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scope of the University must be continually broadened and its equipment kept adequate. On January 19th, 1907, the country united in paying tribute to the memory of the South ' s peerless chieftain. Especially, as was most befitting, did Wash- ington and Lee University honor him, on this the centennial of his birth. In- spired by General Lee ' s wonderful life and character. President Roosevelt, in a public letter, on the occasion of this general celebration, concluded thus: I hope that you will take advantage of the one-hundredth anniversary of General Lee ' s birth by appealing to all our people, in every section of this country, to commemorate his life and deeds by the establishment at some great representative educational institution of the South, of a permanent memorial that will serve the youth of the coming years, as he, in the closing years of his life, served those who so sorely needed what he so freely gave. The suggestion made in this paragraph was immediately taken up by the press of the country ; of the Northern papers, notably the New York Evening Post and the Outlook, and a great many Southern papers, appeared with editorials urging the establishment of such a memorial at Washington and Lee University. There was no public suggestion of any other place. It was taken as a matter of course, that General Lee ' s own school, impregnated with his ideals, was the logical spot to establish this memorial. Emboldened by the many suggestions which came, from both private and public sources, the Lee Memorial Association was formed in Richmond, Virginia, on March 8th, 1907. It was resolved to raise, by public subscriptions, $100,000 to be used for the rehabilitation of the Lee Memorial Chapel and for the endowment of the Robert E. Lee Chair of American History, The movement received the hearty endorsement of Marse Rob ' s veterans in their Annual Reunion in May. Soon after the close of the Reunion. Ex-Governor D. C. Heyward, of South Carolina, a distinguished alumnus of Washington and Lee, consented to head the movement. It has been decided to broaden its scope in view of Governor Heyward ' s acceptance and the gratifying interest shown throughout ' the country. ■• ' ? 1 i As now conceived, the movement will be national in scope. It is proposed to go before the people of the country and ask for $1,000,000, with a view to broadening the influence and power of Washington and Lee University, nu TT

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TTTl VV . :... LliAii Gl ON THE ROBERT E. LEE MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT MOVE- MENT. BEING A CONSIDERATION OF ITS PRESENT STA- TUS AND ITS POSSI BILITIES, BY ITS EXECUTIVE HEAD. GOVERNOR DUNCAN C. HEYWARD. OF THE CLASS OF ' S5. A NATIONAL tribute to Robert E. Lee will be one of the most unique ted country lofty character of the South ' appreciates the nobility of purpose and th greatest son since Washington. That the National memorial to Lee should take the form of an endowment for some Southern institution of learning was first publicly suggested by President Roosevelt, and with practically one accord it was deemed appro- priate that Washington and Lee University should be the location for this memorial. Soon after the suggestion by President Roosevelt definite steps were taken to carry it into effect and the Robert E. Lee Memorial Associa- tion was formed. I esteem it one of the greatest honors of my life that I should be selected to take the active management of this movement, and the work has been one of great pleasure. We have succeeded in forming an Advisory Board com- posed of a dozen or more of the most prominent citizens of the Nation, men whose names stand for more than the names of any other twelve men in the country. This Board has been formed without regard to state or section and- IS one of the most truly national committees which has ever been gotten together in this country. In addition we have secured committees in each of the South- ern States and these state comr-.ittees are also composed of men of weight, influ- ence and great prominence in their respective sections. Upon these committees 17