Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-09


appeal to God or the county.
u We received no Journal of Commerce by this dav,
mail
The friends of the Administration arc rettinp over
their fright at the threatened book of Mr.. Inqbam
has been delayed long, that hopes ire Pho,
it is suppressed. Can there be any connection be,eo
the offer OF the Mission Russia and the DELAY in ito
appearance? Mr. Ingham has said that no want Of ba
mony in the political opinions of the Cabinet was the
cause of his dsmisson. Is the inference irres;s
ble that it is to DO traced to privaend social differ
encesl
70 the Visitors Of the Uaiccrsity of plrgiaia
Gentemcn-Though am young man, nv long
and intimate acquaintance with the manner the Unyer
sity is governed, will, hope, be sufficient apology for
the remarks that may be made in the following coImu-
mcaon; The decreasing popularity of that Institution
and the embarrassing circumstances which it is pa
ced must be u of regret to all its friends
and wel[wishers but particularly the genteren
who arc entrusted with its management and in whom
there Is vested the of making all necessary regu
latons, for its welfare and prosperity. 1t is then mat
ter OF surprze to that Institution like Uni.
versty possessing almost every advantage, and Offering
to the student almost every facility for acquiring an red
ucaton that is afforded by any other institution should
as it grows in age, sink in the estimation of ALL and in
stead OF gaining popularity it advances in years
hnd at the termination of every collegiate year the
affections OF all more and more ulienated To what
he
number of matriculations diminish year after wear?
Can 1t be owing the dissipation Of the students-o
the belief engendered by the exaggerated reports of
their dissipation, the first and second sessions? The
orderly manner in which tho Institution has been con-
Quoted for the last three four years. and the favorable
accounts of the morals and department of the
Students have been sufficient to eradicate that belief
and place the University in this point better foot
ing than most other Institutions OF our country We
must then look for other cause to account for the
fact We must examine the regulations of the Univer-
GIfr fha
shall find the that has led these effects and
fear, cause which, if not removed, will sooner or
later, tend to the downfall of tho Institution. The
first of these regulations is that concerning the
of the STUDENT but several plans wore proposed
to you last winter, through the papers, for reducing
them deem 1t unnecessary say any thing upon
that subject hoping the remarks then made will be suf
icient to show to you the necessity for reduction
of the students expenses. There however, two
other laws in the statute book of the University togeth
with the evil consequences resulting thererom, that
wish to call your attention to ut this time. These
arc the uniform and money laws The first of these
laws expressly declared by yourselves intended to
diminish the expenses of the student and prevent as
far possible, distinction, which among men, is fire.
quenty eDvious and calculated to withdraw the
mind from those great and important objects for which
they become members of the University. This being
the direct object of the regulation becomes the Facu
ty of that University the tribunal for enforcing it.
to guard with the greatest caution against its violation
and be certain and in incting that punishment
the law has prescribed, consequence to all those
who may have the temerity to violate it. But before
proceeding to inct punishment for its violation they
should examine the nature and character of the law
and the object you had In yiew enacting it. It is
statute of general nature universal that regards
the whole University and binding upon all its members
when falling within the and spirit of it G.
when coming within thesobiect that induced you to en-
act it. This law then, like all others of general char
acter must, by of its universally be applied to
which you could not have foreseen expressed
at the time enacted, and consequently had sup
posed there power vested in the Faculty for
edyng the hardship and for the correction of that
oient."-but in this found / was mistaken, on being
informed by of the Professors of that University
that you had directed the faculty to enforce the letter of
the law, regardless of the spirit and of it, and
matter what might be the circumstances of the case
Is this Justice? Is reason? Suppose young en-
terng that Institution at the beginning of session.
provided with good citizens dress, which in conse-
quonce of the uniform law he has lay by his trunk
for the moths eat, and just before the conclusion
the course, his uniform becomes rusty and shabby
from wear as be fit be seen in church or pr
company. Would you in obedience to this regula-
tion which you have enacted for the sole purpose of
diminishing his expences require of him to purchase
another uniform and thus add thirty or forty
dollars to his cxpences, when at the same time
he had another coat Wondering in his trunk? The
voice of reason says but you gentlemen, it soems
have directed the faculty act otherwise. How can
you get this inconsistency Arc the gigantic
soning faculties of which of you possessed,
sufficiently powerful to prove you guilty of incon
sstency7 If they shall be willing to admit that
the dismissal which lately took place the University
for violation of the uniform law, JUST but till then,
shall think as do, that it unjust; a stretch
Of yrannea power, and the result of i-feeling the
part of of the professors. The nature of this
law being considered let examine its effects and
consequences. According to the preamble, its object
seems to be to diminish the expenses of the student
and prevent extravaganza in dress. The attainment
of this object would certainly be very desirable to the
Virginia farmers who send their to the institutions
but the very in which the institution is conduc-
ted precudes the idea that the law have that effect
In the other Institution, of the State where they have
regular for the student to pass through sand
certain specified time for him to continue at College,
before he be admitted to degree, it may produce
that effect; but, in the University of Virginia where
there prescribed courses and the young seldom
continue than two sessions, it must
doubedy add to his expenses for stated above
CIVIS.
n. B.-Beforc your next annual meeting hope TO
give you ssme suggestions upon the money law and
patrons commission.
It is rumorcd that delegation has arrived here from
New York, charged with the duty Of demonstrating
with the President against the nomination Of Mr. Buch
anan to the vacant embassy of Russia The cold man"
seems to he in almost great trouble from his friends
from his foes. c take step which does not
cite the ire of some Of the former, until sop promised
or thrown to them, TO sthc the expression Of their
N .JOuTUOI.