The Sun.
London, England, 1828-11-15 00:00:00

promote their interest and meet their approba-

MEETING OF STUDENTS OF THE

GLASGOW UNIVERSITY.

tion.

Though we do not go all the length of the Spar-
tan opinion, that education should be a State affair,
yet we think that few objects are more important
—few more worthy the pen of a patriot or phi-
lanthropist. On this account we hold that any
thing which concerns our honoured University
is mattet of public interest, and will not be un-
acceptable to the generality of readers. It is cer-
tainly pleasing to observe the spirit and discretion
displayed by the Students in choosing a Rector,
—to see them early cherishing those habits of
independence which will place them above the
pain of patient servility, and give good hope
that they will in after life,
" Through every scene maintain their trust,
Nor e'er be timid or unjust." .
A number of the most distinguished Stu-
dents, at a dejeune a la fourthette, given by J.
Blair, Esq., Blythswood-hill, yesterday, took
that opportunity of expressing their sentiments
on the subject at present in agitation amongst
them, viz., that of elesting Campbell a third
time to be their Rector. -We allow them to
state the matter in their own words, by present-
ing our readers with a number of the observations
that were then made.
Mr. BLAIR, after expressing the pleasure it
gave him to find around him so many animated
with zeal to support the honour of the college,
by maintaining its independence, and again en-
trusting an office of so much importance to their
present Lord Rector, thus proceeded :
Fellow-Students,—The present time is to us
a crisis ; and as in every other crisis, so here,
there are few methods left us to pursue. This
question may be regarded as one of expediency,
and in this view, it is a plain common sense in-
ference, that Thomas Campbell-is the most suit-
able person for our Lord Rector. It is well
enough understood, that since our Lord Rector
entered on office, the investigation of the Royal
Commission, and circumstances connected with
it, commenced. In regard to all that interests
us in that matter, the diligence of the Lord
Rector has been unremitting ; with its details he
is acquainted, they would be mysterious to
another.—But not to dwell on a matter so obvi-
ous—do the Students really wish to confer an
office on a person entirely unacquainted with
these details, as an honour, which would to him
be an irksome task ?—Would it be safe or fair,
to make a mariner guide us through rocks and
quick-sands which he had never visited before,
and dismiss the pilot who had so far weathered
us through the storm ? Besides, will they rob
him who has been so zealous of the merit of
bringing this controversy to a happy termination ?
It would be taking the roses from his chaplet
which none other would be more likely to gain,
and few very willing (if honourable men) to ac-
cept. It may be, that like a surgeon he may
have the same skill, but he may not use the same
means; and.how far this may affect the health
of his patient is uncertain. The annals of our
University testify that it is not an innovation ;
and even though precedent had established the
former custom into a law, it were a law " more
honoured in the breach than the observance ;"
precedent should yield to utility. The reply of
Sir Walter Scott to the Students of St. An-
drews, when they intended him a similar honour,
shows that it would be presumption and annoy-
ance in us to subject him to a repetition of the
same statement. His name we mention with
reverence—he stands renowned and honoured in
literature—he would be a jewel in the crown of
arq University—he already sits encircled with
a diadem of his own. But even were he willing
to accept of it, he is uot the person to be chosen
at the present crisis. Lord, no doubt, is a
sounding title, and some may consider it a re-
commendation that another proposed candidate
is a great man by birth :—but let me ask you, my
fellow- Students, is gilded rank alone worthy of
a throne of honour ? We hope you have not so
soon forgotten the lesson taught you in our ve-
nerated Alma Mater, "non to sed tun." Let
your inquiry be as the classic directs, not " who
art thou ?" but " what hast thou done ?" But
considering the matter as one that might be de-
cided on the ground of merely honorary induce-
ments, the claims of the present Lord Rector are
the most powerful. His regard for us has been
unprecedented, and so should our honour of
him. The story of that ancient orator, who, by
a slight change in his posture while speaking,
changed the government from despotic to repub-
lican—merely addressing his speech to the au-
dience as well as to the president—is fresh in
our memory, and we would almost say, renewed
in the conduct of our Lord Rector. He, by the
unwonted attention that he paid to the Students,
has given that importance which they deserve,
though it is to them somewhat new ; and let it
not be forgotten, that at the same time, he, in the
most gentlemanly manner, conciliated the Pro-
fessors, and received from them the most polite
attention. On this account, having introduced
an era in the annals of the Students, is it
.not
demanded that he should receive a marked ho-
nour from us ? Such, Gentlemen, is the view
which I take of the matter—elect any other per-
son, and he may be the means of depriving you
of that very right by which you elected him.
" When he Once attains the utmost bounds,
1-k may unto the ladder turn his back,
Scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend,
Then lest he may prevent."
Your privileges are at stake--!--let Hope animate
your energies—sacrifice nothing to timidity or
interest—let Campbell be re-elected—and thus
you will hand down your rights immaculate to
posterity.
After this speech from Mr. Blair, it was sug-
gested by Mr. 'reorient, that our elective frail-
chise should not be forgotten. He very ener-
getically mentioned several things laudatory of
the Rector, and hoped that the elective franchise
through him would be still secured in the pos-
session of the Students. , •
G 4 hoped that though the
feudal system pleased in Romance, we should
-.171111:7t
‘ovcl: t
reckon
feudal system
ittoav
Literature.ilo such
coming Ind expedient opnresientW:eset-asiboei:
to elect our former Rector ; but at the same
time we are not at all 'insensible to, but appre-
ciate the high 'literary character of Sir Walter
Scott, regard h pmt 119;; o.oy z-is an- honour to his
country, but an ornament to Literature.
Mr; LAAIOND proposed that the College of
Glasgow should be heyledreeglste,aarend(l,taOnotiscibpyatthhlge
itl-illau'tstirtialistTeni?:otiA be. continued by eminent
names yet to come, should still continue to be
,C
ottaitl,litttheoengdhifrelrieedanidn
signalised.
some matters 'from the MeMbers of the Faculty,
otliNerrr.ineVin967el;s ''.0;;414t1.11:d
yet he desired to state that they had always been
treated by them with the utmost respect,
begged leave to remind them, and he
that the Royal
Commission was instituted for the benefit of
learning-) and trusted that its decisions would

After several other matters expressive of the
liberal feeling of the Students, and at the sane
time of their glowing enthusiasm for Campbell,
and ardent resolution for his third election,
they separated with the greatest decorum and
propriety.
The•culinary arrangements conducted by Mr.
Murray, Queen-street, reflected on him and Mr.
J. Beattie the greatest credit.