Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-09-02

Sophomore.
The publick are beginning again to awake
to the decided, preponderating advantages
of this University advantages that all, who
do not wilfully shut their eyes to the truth,
must see and feel. The instructors and di-
rectors of that institution have gone on,
neither counting nor stunning popularity,
except. that popularity which follows strict
and conscientious discharge of the duties of
their office.
There has been much excitement of late
in relation to the presidency of the Univer-
sity, which has so long and so usefully been
filled by DIR. Kirkland. The treatment ex-
perienced by that gentleman from another
individual, when stricken by disease, was of
kind to grieve all the friends of the Uni
versity, and to call into exercise the active
sympathies, especially of those who received
their education there during his administra-
| ton.
The subject of the presidency is indeed
hardly proper one for discussion in news
papers but it has been touched upon, and
cannot be excluded from publick prints so
long as individuals choose to discuss it. 1t
is well known that several of those gentle
men who are to choose in the first instance,
are decidedly in favour of one for the Office
of President, who received his education at
another institution. This circumstance alone
is sufficient to set aside the claims of that
gentleman, however distinguished he may
otherwise be. 1t could admit of defence
only in case the merits of the foreign indi-
vidual outweighed, in every respect, the
merits of every son of Harvard, and unless
his election would be the means of doing
signal good. Harvard has children more
distinguished than he--sons of whom she
may well boast, in any and every quarter,
gifted minds and uncommon knowledge and
learning that she may point to--as to her
jewels.
On no subject connected with the Univer-
sity have we heard of greater hostility than
that manifested to the probable election of
this JaUourite candidate of a fe,o. The sem
timent is strong and Overwhelming. it is
heard from the young and the old, from ALL
nearly, who know the situation of things
and feel fond pride in their Alma Mater
The election of this candidate would be of
injury not merely to the present interests of
the University, but would be felt for many
coming years. 1t would cool the ardour of
warm friends; the old would grieve, and
their influence would be wide-the young
would feel it, and carry with them into the
uosun VI Cne community sTrong seurnnen,
of indignation, that would spread on every
side, and would extend to their children.
Its effects would be felt long after death
should remove the incumbent from his seat.
1t would be of much worse precedent than
to choose gentlemen into the corporation.
who have never been matriculated at pub
lick seminary practical men, who
cannot feel and understand the peculiar
kind of conduct and course of proceedings
necessary in managing an institution of the
kind-the popularity of habits, manners,
thoughts, associations, that none can feel
and take advantage of, but those who have
been in them, and are amongst them, and of
them.
A mode has been suggested of avoiding
the embarrassments that gather round the
corporation in selecting any of the Younger
and rival candidates: it is to leave them all
out of the question, and let the choice fall
upon Professor Ware. If taken new and
unpractised from the midst of the communi-
ty, his age might be considered as a very
weighty objection. But when it is recol-
lected that he has been in Office more than
twenty years; that he has discharged its
duties, various and arduous as they are with
great ability-duties which bring him d.
rectly before the students, in instruction
and goyernment-and further, when it is
recollected that he presided over the Uni
versity after the death of President Web
Der, and till the inauguration of President
Kirkland, and that he has for more than a
year past been at the head of the Institu-
ton, and has given great and general salts
faction-why should there be any hesitation
In electing this gentleman, who bids fair to
be useful and active for many years to
come? No one, at the present time, it is
believed, would be more acceptable; no one
would more diligently pursue the duties Of
the Office. Above all, it would unite those
who are now in danger of dividing into