Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1842-03-19


GoIInsn Of JssrsRsos,-in stating las. week
The fact shaf this college had been destroyed by
fire., we alluded briefly 10 the importance Of
changing the location ofthe institution, should
the legislature deem il proper to rebuild it
now, or at any future period. Tn subject
was ably treated on our french page, but We
had not space for the argument In English
We do no conceive, however, that the topic
ably as it was handled, was exhausted, nor va
presented in its most important bearing
Hence we shall proceed In the present nun.
Der, to treat the question in lis only proper
light-in the light that our Legislature and the
executive are required by their oaths Of office
to consider it-as A srArr INTEREST.
That the establishment Of a college is a state
interest, is n self-evident proposition; that the
bcaAty Of the college is of n kindred interest,
needs very little argument to prove. Upon
the locality of the college depend a series Of
internal improvements, that belong emphati-
cally to the state. and which, ii is the special
duty Of the Legislative body to see 50 construc-
ted and so situated, rs to afford the greatest
possible honor, profit and eclat to the state in
its corporate capacity. II this be the duty of
the legislature, the question before It's Is, sim.
ply, what locality will be the most conducive
to the ends specihed1 Shall we select a dis
trict retired from the stirring scenes Of life,
where only the arts Of the hnsbandman, and
the crude operations Of Nature are visible 7
Shall we shut out the student from his species
and the world, and so direct his education thai,
when he appears on the stage of action. he
shall come forth II booAish clown, without ex-
periencc, without knowledge Of the formula Of
society," Shall we erect buildings to beautify
swamps aud ornamen, the plantation Of some
noted individual to fattcr the optics, of negroes
and to afford a select few a chance to spccu-
late not only oil. the physical means Of parents,
but on the mental elm and future standing of
their of!spring-thosc to whom we must ere
long commit the grand interests of the state
and natien1
We may be told that re,iracy and seeulsion
hl0 w S''ta tthb nv 's h"-
ture. he who awakes to the song Of birds and
is lutled to sleep by the voices of purl-
ing brooks, has high and lofty thoughts--pure
and holy aspirations. This is true in part
but only partially true. The studentof nature
is such only by contrast !, is by first learn-
ing art that be is taught to admire nature.
When the mind pals on the littleness OF mans
inventions, we turn in voluntarily, and with
Great Author Of our being. Theintellectcloys
on monotony, aud all the diversified scenes Of
human and divine art are required TO call out
the vital fires OF the soul. and give action, Wig
or, intensity and application to its energies.
We are at best but creatures of circumstan-
ces, and the most favorable combination of
circumstances is requisite to make us that
which it is desirable we should be. Tell us
not Of the seductions of company and the
banefnl illusions Of towns and cities; these are
necessary ordcals in becoming acquainted
with the world ; they are the portals through
which W. pass to a familiarity with our spe-
cies. They are necessary. and tits better the
young should learnthcm by degrees, while un-
der the tutelage Of those whose experience can
point out that which is dark and dangerous,,han
to be thrown among them in an unguarded mo-
ment, like a ship without a rudder TO be dash
ed to atoms Oh rocks, or 70 founder among
quick-sands.
We never could understand the object for
which the college Of Jefferson was made to
occupy its late site, unless for the qualification
of some individual or q few individuals. Sit
uated on any town on the river,it would have
to the prosperity OF that town in va
rious ways. 1t would have encouraged the me-
chanics Of the place, by aitording them emf
ploy on the main buildings, and in erecting |
dwellings for the professors; Il would have
encouraged literature and the fine arts, and
have tended to form a circle around which
new lights would continually cluster, and
from which fresh rays would havcbeen cease
parting to the extreme limits Of the
state. II would have aided in building up
a town in which the state would have soon
a just source of pride; and it would
have shed luster on the name Of founder, en-
b~alfning his memory in the affections Of fu-
ture generations, as one Of the wise and patri-
ptic fathers Of a noble and prosperous pro.
vince.
Isolate as il stood, the college of Jefferson
unapt for any of these purposes. No
'ckat attached 10 the name Of its founder. En-
foreigners and travellers as they
by, leered at it as the college Of the
1t contributed, perhaps to beautify
one gentleman's plantation; but it was no or
nent to the state, nor was il a jewel in the d.
ldcm of any Of her towns. II stood a monu-
11ent Of the bad taste and unwise Legislation
hat placed it there; q pillar Of regret to those
Who saw how useful itmight rave been, plant
ID upon a soil genial to its high and ennobling
.nds.
The reflections by which the legislature
hould be guided in this matter, are: Ist.
he salubrity Of the site; I'd, the centrally;
ID, the facilities offered to render the insti-
ution ornamental as we'll as useful to the
tate. Let them consider thoroughly these
POINTS, and if they then find in Louisiana q
lite more eligible, our fellow citizens will not
n,rmur if the college be not located in Baton
New Oa~LEAss--There was a large meet
ng on Thursday night, relative to the Ameri-
an prisoners in Mexico. The professors of
College have obtained the hotel at
taadeville, and will continue their exercises
I that place until other arrangements be made.
he legislature is still employed on the bills
,r reducing the expenses and increasing the
evenue of the state. Geo. H. Barrett, one of
he st. Charles veterans, is to have a benefit
the American theatre. That liberal, excel
mt and honorable institute, the Peoples Ly-{
appears to prosper.
p' We find the following in the picayune.
he notice is not without importance in these {