Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-26
COI.NUyJC1TED

To the Visitors Of lillian g. .3farv Coileoc
GENTLEMEN: An individual who takes a live.
ly interest in the prosperity oil our venerable In,
slItutIon, Graves leave to address you upon the
present occasion. 1t is not from an overweening
concet of his abilities, nor Is i, from a desire
to enrol his name in the lists of emulation for
popular applause, that he is prompted to the I'M
deraking. He ranks too low in the scale of his
own estimation to think with arrogance OF himself
and his life has hitherto been 100 seoues,ered hi,
affections loo much captivated by the charms OF
thoughtful study and retirement to be AT this time
influenced by circumstances drawn from the other
consideration. But when he looks abroad and
conlemplates the awful situation in which the be-
loved College of his youth now stands that Col
ege endeared to his heart by the earliest and fond
est associations, he would be an apostae TO his
own feelings; traitor to the holy standard of lite
nature and the country of his residence if he raised
not his feeble voice, and with all his STRENGTH
proclaimed, that the life or death of ihs yenerabe
Institution is critically suspended upon the I'M
Oiassed wisdom OF your adopted measures The
Lrespectsbility OF your names, the responsible ma
ture oil the Office with which you are invested the
solemn obligations of the oath which, as Visitors.
you have taken, all preclude the anticipation that
In the selection OF President and Professor. Won
would be governed by any other motive than the
future welfare Of the Seminary over which Won
preside. But, gentlemen, how often, unperceived
by us, are the best and most virtueus inclnations
diverted from their proper channel? How often
will private friendship and faHiiy connerion in
sinuate themselves into the solitude of eur retire
ment, and unfortunately close our eyes 10 the true
interest of the object which employs our reAec-
tons! Is II not from the active influence of con .
slderations like these, that public Offices are so
frequently filled by characters, amiable il is true
in private life, but altogether unequal to the sta
tons which they occupy? mot the individual who
is bound TO us by the ligamenious cords of kin
dIcd and affection, from the relation which he thus
bears, magnied our perspective of his real merit
and qualifications? And will not the dense rnedi.
um Of private pique or prejudice so refract the ir
radiating light Of the understandings as to turn il
aside from the right line, in which would otherwise
be regarded the well-known qualifications of some
merltorious object! That must know little of
his own nature; little knowledge, indeed, must he
derive from the passing stream Of events, who does
not give an Affirmative reply to the truth of these
enquiries
The retirement Of DR.. Smith from the Chair of
President and Professor is, no doubt theme of
cordial delight to the friends of William & Mary.
80 long as that wayward gentleman continued. in
despite OF delicacy and popular sentiment, 10
preside over the Institution, so long did its true
friends entertain the most gloomy forebodings ofits
fate. But the 4" solid darkness which enytloned
the prospects Of our College, has been dspersed bv
me fortunate remova! OF its great Opaque cause.
and 1t IS now in your power, gentlemen, not only
to restore this venerable Seminary TO its lost char
scter and reputation, but TO render your names dear
to the lower country and to poserity, by the mag-
nsnlmity OF your exerlions in its behalf
The late re-insitution Of a grammar school nav
be considered as one of the most enlightened step.
which could be adopted to effect the restoration nj
our College; for the boys in that school, from at
tachment and other causes, are to be regarded i
may be allowed the expression, as embrro-et..
dents Of the Institution. How impolific then
how passing strange was il for individuals. nos
sessed even of common understanding or indprosnf
and whose official duty It was to act witha single
eyeto The welfare Of the College, thus TO rende
themselves, BY The ili-iated abolition ofso important
sehooi' not only enemies 10 she Institution, bu