James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Liberty & Learning - Index

liberty & learning
Each of them seized an offender, demanded their names (for they could not distinguish
them under their disguises) but were refused, abused and the culprits calling
on their companions for rescue got loose and withdrew to the chambers. 49
The faculty was rightfully incensed and demanded that Jefferson and the Board
of Visitors do something immediately about the inappropriate behavior. When
informed of the turmoil at the university, Jefferson was forced to make the strenuous
ride down from his mountaintop home to the city despite his feeble and rapidly
deteriorating health. He convened an emergency session of the trustees to
deal with the troubles. With both James Madison and James Monroe at his side,
Thomas Jefferson—renowned author of the Declaration of Independence and distinguished
third President of the United States—confronted the offending students
with their misconduct. He was too overcome with emotion and unable to
speak, as one of the offending students would later recall the dramatic scene. “At a
long table near the center of the room sat the most august body of men I had ever
seen—Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. . . . Jefferson arose to address the students.
He began by declaring that it was one of the most painful events of his life, but he
had not gone far before his feelings overcame him, and he sat down.” 50 Jefferson
ultimately accepted the recommendations from the board to impose new, strict
regulations governing student behavior. Among them, according to author Pendleton
Hogan, “Students must be in bed by 9:00 PM, rise at dawn, breakfast by
candlelight, and wear a dull gray uniform. No student could own a gun, a horse,
or a dog. Smoking, gambling, and drinking were forbidden.” 51 Jennings Wagoner
explains further in his article, “Honor and Dishonor.”
[Jefferson] lived long enough to see his idealistic theory of student honor badly
tarnished. Before he died in the summer of 1826, he had witnessed not only the
eruption of some ‘vicious irregularities,’ but had to face the consequences of the
first of what proved to be a series of riots or rebellions at the university. 52
Over the next few months, Jefferson and Madison corresponded with their
usual regularity, mostly concerning routine matters involving the university. In
February 1826, however, Jefferson’s letter to Madison ended poignantly. Obviously
aware that his own life was nearing an end, Jefferson confided to Madison,
“It is a comfort to leave that institution under your care . . . To myself you have
been a pillar of support through life. Take care of me when dead, and be assured
that I shall leave with you my last affections.” 53 The remaining few letters that
were exchanged between these great men were unremarkable.
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