The Statue Of Prince William The Silent

William I of Orange, also known as William the Silent is a significant figure who represents a diplomatic mission for freedom of religion, independence, and democracy in the Netherlands. He is strongly recognized for fighting for Dutch independence from Spanish rule and reflects the American vision of religious freedom and independence. The statue of Prince William the Silent with his dog at his side is located at Voorhees Mall, on the College Avenue Campus, and is near Van Dyke Hall, and Milledoler Hall. The statue is not only a symbol of Dutch independence, but also represents the Dutch roots of Rutgers University. In connection to America, the Netherlands has become a very independent and individualistic society, and this is shown through
the history of William of Orange’s fight for freedom.
The statue of “William the Silent” represents Rutgers University’s early Dutch culture and has overlooked Rutgers since 1928.
According to “William the Silent stands tall over U”, an article written in The Daily Targum, which is the Rutgers University newspaper, “William the Silent, Count of Nassau and founder of Dutch independence, has been a welcome guest at the University for almost 80 years.” (Yacco) In another article written by the school newspaper, “Faculty members signify spirit of William the Silent,” states “William the Silent stands as a reminder of New Jersey’s Dutch culture, which was a prominent part of New Brunswick when the University was established as Queen’s College in 1766.” (Berkman) In the Archives and Special Collections Department at the Rutgers University library, a folder of primary source documents titled “Rutgers Buildings and Grounds” obtained a pamphlet from the president of the university, Dr. John Martin Thomas, who attended the unveiling ceremony of the statue. The pamphlet was titled “Program of Exercises of Unveiling of Statue of William The Silent” The ceremony took place on a Saturday on the ninth of June in 1928, the pamphlet states that Rutgers had “special permission to make a copy of the statue was procured from the government of the Netherlands...The Holland Society of New York made the gift to Rutgers because the members deemed it “particularly fitting that the statue should stand on the ground of the educational institution
founded by the descendants of the Netherlanders.”” The Netherlands was proud to make a copy of the statue due to Rutgers being founded by the Netherlanders and having Dutch history.
Furthermore, Elizabeth Reeves, the assistant facilities planner at the University referenced in the article, “William the Silent stands tall over U”, comments on the culture of the Netherlands and states that, “They were an open culture. They believed in freedom of religion and the ideology that you can choose to believe or not to believe,” she said. “They were accepting of everybody, and that’s why Rutgers is such a diverse community. We tend to forget that.” (Berkman) The culture of the Dutch was prominent in the establishment of Queens College in 1766, and that culture influenced the modern ideas, beliefs, and ideology of the universities community today. In modern time, Rutgers is a very openly accepting community, and is one of the most diverse universities in the United States. Unfortunately most Rutgers students are unaware of the meaning and significance of William the Silent, and have no realization or understanding of the Dutch influence on our campus today. According to Angus Gillespie, a professor in the Department of American Studies, another professor referenced in the article, “A playful rumor has spread throughout campus over the years about “Willy the Silent,” Gillespie said. “Legend says if a Rutgers co-ed who’s a virgin would pass by, William the Silent would whistle,” Gillespie said. “But over the last 200 years, he hasn’t yet whistled.” (Berkman)
The Dutch Revolt, also known as the Eighty Years War (1568-1648) represents the vision of religious freedom in America. Leaders not supporting their religious choices and the Dutch people being against Spanish rule caused the war. Protestantism was prominent in the Netherlands and Spain wanted to defeat it. Despite the threat from Spain, the Dutch continued practicing and spreading the belief of Protestantism. According to “The Dutch Republic Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477–1806,” by Jonathan Israel, states that Philip II of King of Spain “sent troops to crush the rebellion and make the Netherlands once more a Catholic region.” (155) The religion of Protestantism was not supported by leaders, and the Dutch responded with a rebellion.
In addition to this, according to “William the Silent” By Dorothy Turner Potter, “the nobility and people of the Netherlands were beginning to complain.
Spanish troops had not been withdrawn despite the peace, Spanish courtiers were being made councilors of state, and sterner measures were being authorized against Protestants. William and other important nobles protested.”(Potter) According to a primary source document located in the Archives and Special Collections Department at the Rutgers University library, a folder of primary source documents titled “Rutgers Buildings and Grounds” obtains an article written by Daniel Y. Brink, a pastor at Kirkpatrick Chapel, states “in the 16th century, the King of Spain Philip II sent an army under the ruthless Duke of Alva to stamp out growing Protestant movement and to assert the Spanish authority...the people of the Netherlands suffered terribly under the cruelties of the invaders and ten thousand persons were put to death” Calvinism, a branch of Protestantism also started to have an influence in the Netherlands. Their leaders not supporting their faith, and trying to constantly diminish it were angering the Dutch. This revolt was the start of an Eighty Years War. Unfortunately according to a novel, Aloud to Alma Mater by George J. Lukac, a chapter titled “William the Silent” by Warren Sloat, states that “William died at the hands of an assassin.” (Sloat 148) Eventually after years of fighting for freedom from Spanish rule, the
Dutch achieved victory and ended the Spanish influence in the Netherlands.
In conclusion, William of Orange’s fight for independence in the Netherlands represents the American idea of democracy, independence, and religion. He stood for freedom of religion, and the rights for people to be in power of themselves. According to Daniel Y. Brink, The Netherlands eventually develops “their own constitution, free public schools, free press, the written ballot, and religious liberty.” William of Orange’s heroism and sacrifices for the Netherlands ultimately led them to abide by the similar democratic practices of America