Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-13

| a
member of his family and is subjected continually
to his control. Why then may not its friends anti
| cipate success to the institution! Let any one
look 10 The range OF science taught within its walls
| Most that is useful and Ornamental. All that is
calculated to expand the mind and elevate the cha
racter; the principles of pure system OF Ethics;
The beautiful and instructive lesson of the Philoso-
ply Of aature; The wonderful combinations and
result OF chemistry; the a-important science of po-
ltical economy; the principles and science of go
vernment-:he doctrines of The common and the po-
sitive enactments of the statute law; and the Ma
tbeinatcs from their first principles the high and
soulelevatng doctrines of Astronomy ARE all taught
within the walls OF the College? Why then, a
| gain ask, shall it not flourish. / am aware that
some one or more OF the professors have become
obnoxious TO many OF the citizens of lower Virgil
MIA But may not much of this feeling be traced to
TIE events Of last winter? President Smith, it is
true, advocated its removal, but although the wri-
ter OF this differed essentially with that gentleman,
yet Ire never Tor moment doubted the honesty of
his convictions the purity of his motives Those,
however, who entertain hostile feelings towards
him as the President of the College, although they
are not gratiied by his removal from his station vet
have to be informed that he is now little more than
the mere nominal besd. The Visitors have strip
ped him OF all his power, and his province chiefly
Is to preside at the deliberations of the Faculty.
The other professors are lifted up TO an equality
with him, and he IL longer be looked to as the
Dephic Oracle. Whether this change is to be bene-
hcial or not IN its consequences, time alone can
deveiope. II was at least worthy of the trial. No
| man has ever objected within my hearing, to John
a. Smith as professor and lecturer; on the con-
trary his studenls far have been able to con-
suit them, speak OF him in the exalted terms
as lecturer. In truth, who that knows him per-
sonaiy, can doubt his qualifications? To mind
active and never NJ rest, he unes thirst for liter-
ny attainment, not easily to be appeased, and con-
sdering the fertility eli his intellect and the good
cuure which lie has given it, it is not claiming too
much Tor him when he is elevated 10 a station equal
to that occupied by the head OF any other literary
institution in the state if in the Union speak
oil him as professor and lecturer and in no other
light 1t Is useless now to canvass his qualitica-
uons Tor the Presidency since that station has be-
come mere nominal one by reason OF the changes
recently made. These remarks are made, Messrs
Editors, by whom DIR. Smith may esteem in
some measure his enemy, since /, like the great
body OF citizens in low er Virginia, was opposed to
the effort at removal made the last winter: and as
have never, within the limited circle ofmy acauan-
lance, hestaied to express my convictions of the
manifest impolicy OF that and of its iniqu-
tous tendency. BE this as it may, am in mea-
sure Indifferent These remarks are intended for
the public, and with il trust shall never play a
false game. OF the other professors it is unneces-
sary 10 speak. They have been elected to their
present stations In consequence of their well known
illness, and nothing has occurred within my know
ledge TO deprive them of the high character, which
they brought along with them TO the institution.
II thea the expense to be incurred be reduced TO
the mos, moderate Standard ii the range OF science
proposed TO be taught be extensive and useful and
If the prolessorships be all well filled why should
not w m and Mary again flourish? In point of
location can any thng be desired? For healthiness
during the course place on tie continent sur
passes Williamsburg. This is sufficiently attested
by facts already before the public. And who can
visit It without feeling emotions of the most ami
mating character? Every object almost which
strikes the eye, brings recollection int
Ing incident in the history of former times With
~ the hairuined walls Of the Capitol we hold con-
verse with the virtuous dead The voice oil Henry,
- when he stood forth the undsmay ed champion of
liberty lii 1865, still reverberates within that de-
cayinG edihce, and confronted by its influence we
become the disciples OF freedom; the firm and unal-
ierable advocates of the rights of man. Every
thing as we stray through the depopulated streets
oil Williamsburg reminds of former times, and
we learn our countrys history from living records.
III we wander 10 the south west of the city we
stumble over the graves OF tie early settlers of Vir
Sinia, and stray on the spot which was first imprint
ed with their footsteps. Ii we change the direction
oil our journey towards the rising sun, ind our
selves at Little York and tread upon the last en-
trenchments Of British power in America. At one
glance we behold the genius OF our country, an in
iant IN its cradle; at the next, see it shaking of
the letters al parental rule and ramplng oppression
In the dust. Thus, with the eye OF fancy, welook
continually on those interesting which call
ed forth in their acting all that noble and gene
rous and exalted in human character. And can it
be said that the youthful mind will derive i'm
provement from these sources OF information! On
the contrary they may be considered as furnishing
the richest intellectual repas, and the yourS man
who has bee sent 10 William and Mary, rarely
leaves i, without having received impressions OF the
most permanent and beneficial character This u
University then has all TO recommend it which can
attach itself to any literary institution, and we may
well indulge the hope that its halls ill be again
crowded In former lines it was empha,icsIly the
nursery of great men, and if fostered and cherished
1t will III Iuiure he what ii has been,
ment to Virsinia-Such at least the opinions OF
A LOWLANDER.
We have received communication signed Pc
Titas, commenting the article in the Enquirer
OF the 26,h ult addressed 10 Chancellor Taylor,
and signed Junius. We claim the authors indul-
gence for declining 10 publish that part Of it which
relates to ourselves. We can assure him that his
impressions to feelings towards the Chancel-
Tor are incorrect; and that have no private
grieis, personal, political party feelings, to in
duge towards that gentleman. The opinion which
Veritas enter,ans of the duties and responsibilities
OF editors differs from that under which we have al
ways acted We could not exclude Junius, with
out disregarding 80 the freedom of the press" nor
having determined to publish it, it incumbent
upon as to search the journals OF the House Of De-
! legates, for the ChanceIlor's " own views the
maiu subject OF complaint Ii the republication
OF that document deemed so important, its pre-
sentation to us for that purpose, would have an
swered every public purpose better than personal
attack upon us. II is unnecessary to say that our
| Al.