Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-03
RICHMOND, OCT. 3.
FOR THE ENQUIRER


purest zeal tor its reputation and welfare; hailing
the time, at length arrived, when the errors Of
all your predecessors may be repaired, its
crying wrongs redressed and the Institution placed,
by your wisdom and virtue, upon the hrnest and
most consolidated basis; you will pardon, hope,
the extension oil my remarks upon interesting
subject. The of literature is, in fact, the
cause OF my country. In such a cause, we drop
the selishness of our nature; the fros, of apathy
dissolves; and the whole man awakened in every
part, we act under the impulse OF feelings, the
warmest and most libel al. That the Spanish,
French and Italian languages should be taught in
our College, II is my decided conviction. The
necessity OF this instruction speaks with more
impressive effect, in consequence of the extended
relations, which the unparalleled prosperity of our
happy country has given to her political an,i
commercial concerns. Our brethren in s. America,
from the Kindred nature OF their political insitu IONS
anc The intercourse which must necessarily take
place between The only existing Republics on the
globe, will hereafter be united us in the closest
bands of intimacy and friendship. A knowledge
OF their language therefore, becomes of the highest
Importance. Nor has this importance been over
lookedby most ofthe other Summaries oil Learnine
There you will find the Spanish and French lam
guages, in particular, laugh by masters expressly
| appointed Tor the purpose. Even the academies
OF learning, founded and conducted by private ind-
viduas, have not been remlss in their attention TO
L
gentlemen, who are the constituted guardians of
our aged Seminary; can you, with folded arms
look on and see these various institutions OF our
country thus running the course OF eager emulation
Tor the honorable goal of distinction in yaluabI.
knowledge, and remain supine and indifferent to
the interesting spectacle! Forbid il, Justice! For
oid II, patriotism! Forbid 1t, every generous feeling
OF the human breast! Remember that mankind
| attend to the executive part of our conduct They
look to the actors ashey advance from behind the
curtains OF deliberative thought The characters
loi oui performances are viewed always with
| critical and observing eye. Nor can we too care
iuhy CONDUCT ourselves, as appear upon the pub
lie stage OF action. II the cold calculations of
hmsd and distrustfm policy prevail, and the SER
penn OF intrigue and taUOuTitiSm be permitted 10
wind It's evil and slippery way into the hall of your
councils, tie fall of our College is inevitably de-
creed and the rising generation must severely suf-
Ter Tor the original SIN of those who listened 10 The
deceirer But, gentlemen, from the wisdom of
your minds, the ardor OF your patriotism and the
goodness OF your hearts, can anticipate no such
result On the contrary, behold, after a long and
dreary night OF suffering and anguish the advent
OF brighter hopes, of brishter prospects to The Col
lege OF our affections see before me the .ay
| spring, or rather morning streaks of new ;era
S!orously coGtrased with this autumnal season Of
the year, when the earth is srewed with III. foiioao
OF summers faded magnificent and the Sun. with
MS recedinS ray, marks the approach of that period
"hch announces that the gay variety of nature is
! no more, and the clouds of winter gatheri | see
Religion, pure and undetiled, walking hand in hand
with Philosophy through the schools of our Col.
lege, purifying the hearts, animang the studies of
| our youth; with her sacred hand efacins from The
walls OF our Institution, rumour's black inscrip-
ton, that our holy Religion was not permitted to
abide here, or ever she made her appearance and
| became visible, 1t was with logical and meiaphy-
ICIc in ti,nh Il
figure and movements, repulsve and sickenine 70
the beholde!
! should, indeed, gentlemen, prove unfaitbful to
| the engagement voluntarily imposed upon myself
If remained silent to the present constitution
of your Vistorial Board. No little depends unon
| the choice and appointments of the Visitors so far
as regards the immediate interests oftbe Ins,i,u-
ton. Men OF the most enlightened minds and
firmly attached to by The strong links of Interest
and affection, should be selected to DISCHARGE the
important trust. 1t is not from characters of a
lukewa arm, or Of doubtful description; from such
as have eyinced, and still au0,o their decided hos
tility to measures calculated promote its f,tur.
prosperity, that the literary prospects of our rising
generation be improv ed or reclaimed Sbo,Ii
any individuals belonging 10 your dignified BODY
fall under classification of this kind honor. mn.
rality and religion call upon them TO retire. that
their seats may be occupied by others HAVING
! views more LIBERAL and sentiments more lust Nor
in my humble opinion, should the distinouisbod
honor of Visitor your College be conferred mon
individuals, whose residence lies remote from the
seat of its location The circumstances of The
College necessarily require frequent Conversations
Can 1t be expected, that gentlemen living AT dis
lance, would receive in time, notice of such Com
vocations; or, having received such notice in time
would undertake long journeys, TO the deranpement
of their private affairs, and sacrifice of their ;,d
vidual comfort, when they receive no compensa-
ton for their services; but, on the conttarv fra.
| vel and remain at their own expence2 The exoec-
tation is unressonable and it is equally unreasona-
bic on the part of the Visitors to make such an
pontmenis, as it is on the part of such gentlemen
to qualify. II shadow of doubt could possibly
tall and rest upon the justice of these remarks il
wouldbe instantly dispele1 by e recurrence to The
established fact, how difficult it is at ann time tn
obtain Convocation in consequence of the distant
residence OF our Visitors; even too, when The
critical condition of the College inperiousIy calls
Tor their attendance. The fourth of Sep enber Last
was the day appointed by the Rector for a meeting
OF the Visitors. The objects Of that meeting were
distinctly understood by each Individual Visitor:
/ the dereict situation of the College well known.
and yet no generous feeling Of sympathy no still
small voice" Of conscience, no solemn obligation
oil duty, pardon my warmth could prevail upon
gentlemen to attend! But, will throw a pail over
the incidents of the past; nor would have advert.
ed 70 this unfortunate Transaction 80 deeply eng,a
ven upon the public mind, but To give force and
point to the application OF the remark how indis
pensable Is That our Visitors be APPOINTED from
the number OF those intelligent gentlemen who re-
side IN the negbbouIhood, who would be Alvays
ready TO obey the calls of the Rector; and how in
cumbent It IS upon those remote gentlemen TO re-
sign othce~, which they are unable to discharge