Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-03
foR THE WnIG.

UNIVERSITY, March 2Sth, 1882
Mcssrs. EditOrs 1t is with much repret that
have lately read several communications IN regard
TO the concerns of the University, but particular
~ the two last under the signatures of "a Stu.
don't" and ga Law Student" | have always en-
tcrtained the opinion that there was little to be
gained by newspaper controversies, especially
among young men, who have collected at the puS
lie literary institutions of our Country for bet
ter and far nobcr purposes, and should not now
violate my opinion on this subject, did 7 not think
that 1T was incumbent some of the friends of
the University to notice the abOrc-nanied pieces
which have appeared, and which are as abundant
with error, as they are i'll sarcasm and prejudice
The authors of those pieces would fain have us
believe that the affairs of the University, arc in
The most prosperous condition, and that every
thing within walls, goes OF so smoothly and
TRANQUILITY, that there is neither nor ncccssi.
ty for amendment. God grant that it were so
but let me assure you, McsSrs. Editors, it is far
from being the fact. The pieces under the sigma
lures of student and Law Student, are intended
as elaborate dcfcnces of Messrs. Davis and Harri-
son and of their respective appointments TO the
chairs which they fill--and seem to have been
written in answer to a piece which appeared some
tne since in your paper, under the signature of
LcngWHS. L shall proceed to notice these two
pieces and endcavour to show, that the assertions
OF Longnus although | do not know who he isl
are not so contemplate and unfoundcd as they
would have us believe.
a Student SAYS, "that Mr.. Davis is younr man
of talents, untlrug ambition, and well known TO
the NiSltors-a great iavorc with his class-and
a man of great labor" All thus | admit-but
still does this keep him from being a County
Court Lawyer, at the tine of his appointment to
the station which he now holds! Docs it follow
that because this is true, that the Visitors could
not nave made better appointment and cOnsc-
quen'ly were wrong IN appointing Mr.. Davis! The
talent, ability and distinction which the Law Chair
in the University Of Virginia urgently demanded
at the time Of Mr.. Lomaxs resignation. is known
to us all. As soon as that resignation was known
all eyes lar and near, were turncd to the Uni
vcrsity TO sec who would loo the successor Of Mr.
LOInaN. Public expectation looked TO Webster
Writ, Barbour and kcut-and although it was pro.
bIDlc, that none of these would accept i'm consc
qucnco OF the salary being much smaller than
what they mado by their procssions-sti we fiat
tered ourselves chat University would have
boosted Of Leigh or Tucker Will Il stu
dem" pretend TO say, that the income Of either Of
the last named gentlemen twenty or even ten
thousand dollars? No, Mcssrs Editors! and
doubt not but that either would have accepted tho
appointment, had it been offered. But all were
dccciycd-ihe Visitors, Whose ,gigd1lu integrity &
dIsccrnmcnt, IT is almost dangerous 20 doubt ) ap
pointed Mr.. }. \. G.. Ddyis,--a gentleman who
/ am sure, III all the surmiscs that were made
never once entered into The head of any ono moi
even into that Of ~ Studcnr' himself Hnlicvc
INC, gentlemen, do not intend 20 dctr,ci ono mite
from Mr.. Davis as gentleman but wish To oivo
every man his due. IIc is a young man / avs mn.
doubt, Of considerable legal requirement. oreai Ia
bour and true disciple oftle Jcfgcrsonian School
-ho is too. rcllgiously believe, doing the best he
s able, for his class; but etjll, | agree with Lon.
gnus in thinking, that fGuch oettor selection
could have been made,