Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-09-17
POLITICAL.
SCHOOL OF LAW IN THE UNIvERsI7


An editorial article, which appeared in paper of the
goth OF July, intended as explanation which sup
posed might not be unacceptable TO the public OF the
OF instruction in this department the Univers
ty has been made the subject Of unrendly mt by
writer in the Alexandra Gazette; who affects TO per
eeivc in il full confirmation o. his previous suspicious
the Professor Of this school, makes his duty ubservent
party purposes. We did not notice th. article
Its anonymous character, and the great degree Of gno.
prejudice manifested by the writer regard 10
the University, could not TAIL seemed u.s. de prive
his remarks upon the School of all claim to weight
consideration. The University he very consistently
10 be generally admitted failure; the grounds Of
which opinion, we suppose, the large and
number OF students who annually to it, the
good order which exists among them, the
educ which has been established in its different
schools, and the number of accomplished scholars who
every year go iromit part Of this article having been
how copied into the Lynchburg Yirginian and sc
companied by remarks expressive Of the Editors concur
in the views OF the anonymous writer, we deem il
proper disabuse the public mind of the erroneous i'm
pressions which these communications calculated to
produce.
which we understood had been suggested 10 the Law
School, and stated to be mniounded remarked that
though the Professor ncucAcd in his lectures on cons
tutonh law the general principles of the State Rights
Party Of Virginia. he had oreborne discuss or 10
tempt TO influence the opinions OF the students in
the delicate questions raised by the proceedings South
Carolina respect TO the remedy possessed by the State.
against federal entertainments We understand the cor
respondent of the Gazette to deny the right OF the Profess
cor teach the principles Of the State Flights PARTY and
TO mantn that these lead TO and Secession
and that therefore, the incucaon OF the latter ncud-
ed in that OF the former These the propositions
the foundation of his charges propose to examine
With the tone and temper OF his article aIoding unequ-
vocal indications OF an OVERLOOKING spirit Of politics in
tolerance at least, we have nothing to do.
Has the Professor of this school right TO teach TO
his class the general principles which have singushed
the State Rights party OF Virginia? Among the subjects
assigned TO his chair, those OF Government and Con-
suonal Law. 1t his duty therefore 10 lecture upon
these subjects and teach the genera principles OF both
his class: But as these principles nes like those
which belong TO the certain sciences, universally admit
tel susceptible OF precise end demon
straon on the contrary, they contested and un.
certain ana opposite and conflicting principles zesousy
maintained, is impossible Tor the ofessor 10 entertain
10 teach any which shall be sy approved. On
the abstract principles ef Government, indeed there are
comparatively few questions about which the people
this country profess TO be divided; but in regard
OF Constu ona Law there scarcely one on hch tbey
agreed The very first line The preamble Of the Con-
suon presents the great by whom as he feder.
al constitution iormedby the several States their pol.
al characters by the people OF all the
nation. However formed another undament al
Immediately occurring relates to the oil power pos.
sessed by the federal governmenare its pow by
the enumerated grants fairly construed it exercise
whatever powers majority OF Congress shall deem con
ducive 10 the general welfare; and if the former be tn,
correct opinion what is the fair and Just construct ton
those grants? The operation Of the Constitution pro-
ducing consolidation of all the people of ihe United
States into community, or a political union between
the States, whereby community Of States Is formed also
presents an important subject Of enquiry These and
other questions which might be mentioned, Proessor
TO whom is assigned the duty OF teaching consttu.
,ionai aw overlook; they constitute the Foundation
Of all knowledge upon this subject to be silent upor
IN
end mpar nforns ion his class concerning them he
necessarily expresses his views rea ion 10 Them and
these in the main cessary those by
party, aud opposed by other parry All that
be reasonably required Of him is that he shall
else his best judgment upon them ALL free from the in.
nuence and bias Of party in the
conclusions @hchbs judgment apps he state fully aud
fairly the views Of hose who have arrived
slusons-jhSt he express his with becoming diff.
dence, and those OF others wilh candor and respect
that he abstain from The discussion OF all mere party
lions, and those the consideration of which, whilst MOI
10 the understanding OF federal coupac
and relations is calculated, from their exciting character
produce pref udce and illteelng the institution
with which he is connece ed in the minds OF
portion OF the community. IL every question be excu.
aed iiom his consideration about which a diff renee oil
opinion prevails which has divided the polite
oil the country, there will be nothing lett TO- him lecture
npon the whole subject Of Constitutional Law must be
gwen up uDh subject for public instruction.
Arc authority aud precedent required 10 vndicae the
correctness OF views upon this subject We would re.
fer TO The celebrated lectures of Judge Tucker the elder
whilst Professor Of Law in William and Mary College
published in the appendix 10 his edition OF
Comment ries In these will be found C,IIv discusses
every question which had then arisen i'm relation IN the
construction Of the federal Constitution the poYers of te
Federal Government, and the rights OF the States we
would also refer the lectures Of Chancellor Kent and ,b
work Of Judge Story constitutional law which
Ia understood TO be text book in the school Of " NJ
ward University In these will be found one sided and
grossly partial and party exposition Of a the ursions
connected with our federal relation; exposition which
diacloses none Of the OF ose who hold different opn
Ions and the obvious and exclusive design OF which in
culcdfe the political doctrines Of their authors Compared
WIN tbc course 0 these eminent Protesso that
the Professor OF Law 10 the Unver-ify OF Virginia mus
os Admitted on all bands TO be liberal and impartial
His opinions aDd principles generay IL fs true dis
msrcsiy opposed to those which they advance but we
enqaifing toto the right Of Professor to dsenss
sny sofOvef'ed political quefioDs enquiry which u