Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-23
To THE EpiToRs OF THE WuIG.

liar Indignation that read the communication in
your paper of Thursday last signed Longin When
l saw the name attached to the piece, and saw that
IT was the classic and justly celebrated name of
l.ongnus, expected to have read communion.
ton frauCht with the soundcst views, and full OF
merit. But how often, Mcssrs. Editors, is it tho
case that distinguished name is the only recon-
incubation, which many have to the gratitude and
! applause of the public! How often is it tho case
That persons expect to arrive at cminencc, from
the sole circumstances of their having been descend
cd from Il long list of noble ancestors. The old
poet Juvcnal well said of such: .'prGclaro nomins
tantIm iRsigniS." But, upon reading his commu
, nication | was struck with astonishmcnt: instead
OF calm, deliberate and candid investigation of
the matter, which could but have expected from
one assuming SO high name, | could discover no.
thing but display OF secret and concealed malice
against the unfortunate individuals who were no.
tIced by this modern critic-I could but cxclaim
with Horace: "I'Grtnrinmt mOnfes nascitur ridi-
c"iHs mus" But let us look at Long nus and CALM
J.. review some OF his assertions. As to the wisdom
OF the Visitors in separating the dutos of Proctor
and Patron, and giving them to two persons in
stead OF one, Will not pretend to dctermne--I
would refer Longinus and all others who wish to
ret information this subject to communica.
tion IN the same Wing i'll which I.onginus appears,
signed Fair Play, where the subject is fully and
ably discussed. will proceed to another part of
the gcntlcman's essay.
After cxtolling the wisdom, integrity and dis.
cernment of the Visitors, in stations of eninencc
(Which he has done, suppose, to make their fall
.rcatcr) Inc boldly charges them with want of dis
ccrnmcnt, or want of honesty, know not which,
i'll the selection of John A. G.. Davis. ESD to fill
the vacancy occasioncd by the resignation of Judge
Lomax. He says that they appointed county
| court lawyer, instead of VIM. Writ, or some other
man OF great legal fame. The reason is obvious
that Mr.. Writ, Judge Kent, Chancellor Tucker or
any other very distinguished Lawyer was not ap-
pointed Docs Longinus suppose, that men of great
emIncnce such as Writ, Kent, or Tucker, w oud
give up salary of perhaps ten twenty thousand
npr tp nfo
tins institution, where the salary is only thou
sand or fifteen hundred! Certainly not. More.
over, am informed by gentleman Of respectable.
ty that the appointment was offered to Writ and
that he would not accept. What could tho Visi.
tors then do? Thcy looked around for an indiyi.
dual of the best qualifications, that would accent
and to hun they gave it. Mr.. Davis the gen.
tlcman sclcctcd young man of talents of the
lrst order, and of profound legal attanmcnts.
Mr. Davis was well known to the Visitors; he held
an exalted station at the bar Of ilbcnare; of un-
firing ambition; and they we'll knew that his ia
tents, perseverance, and industry combined, would
soon make HIM professor of Tic first rank. They
were well aware that l,c did not possess the same
legal fame that Writ or Kent possessed, and which
could only be acquired by years spent in study
What has been the result of the appointment?
With his class he holds the most dignified station
That he is man of profound legal atainments they
all acknowledge; and in few years he will be
known not only throughout Virginia, but over c,e
ry part OF the United States This is the appoint
l"c| mat tnls iuodern critic las snccrngly brought
up as one OF tho mighty bunders of our Visitors.
Inc ~issdcrs, II. continuing his remarks, has
not passed over tho excellent Professor of Ancient
Languages in this institH:iom without bcstowing n
stroke of his satire. Upon the resignation of
George Long, Esq, who i'll classic acquircmcnts
Is scarcely cqualICd by any the face of the
Globe tic Visitors having tho most implicit conf
dcncc IN his wisdom and integrity, requested him
|" recommend some person to them who was fully
capable of discharging tbs important duties that
dcE"!ve on that Chair. This gentleman recon-.
mcndcd DR.. Gcsncr Harrison, us his successor; and
upon his recommendation, Dr. Harrison was ap.
pointed ~ the Visitors, Let the man who wishes
credit TO himself and honor TO the Institution but
ATTEND HIM one session, and, my word for it, ne
VIII say that hc discharges them in the most salts
factory manner. There is but individual in the
United states that think would have DISCHARGED
thcln as well, and nc graduated 1T tho same time
WIN DIR. Harrison, and is dcscrvcdy occupy
ING the dgniiicd station of Professor OF Ancient
Languages in tho Alabama University. The Lam
"u"gcs are taught 10y DR.. HARRISON in the most
crical manner, in style precisely similar to that
followed by Mr.. Long. This IL the bad appoint
iheht that LOugiHUs has held up in the public pa
pcrs' and this is the man whose literary cha
ractcr nc has attempted to cast sur to the great
INJURY OF the University for the prosperity of hic
nc processes to feel 50 deeply concerned.
In conclusion, wctld bog of Longinus to reflect
upon ~" effects that these reports will have, com.
ln@ from student Of this institution in addition
to tho numerous ones now in circulation. IT nc
feels that interest in TIC prosperity of the Unvcr
sry which hc Processes. lac will certainly reflect on
thIs subject, and trust will act hereafter with
li;tic more prudence and forbcarancc
I'm making these remarks, !, like Lo0gjnvs have
been actuatcd by the pircst motives and hayc made
them to CRAFTY no private pquc against the writer:
io' hav" no; the most distant idea vAo he may be