Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-10-08
RICHMOND WING.
SksieAe, Of diving Yireiaian,.

We think We can safely promise the public q Sc
rics of highly interesting ,ketehes-to which the
subioined article is an introduction:
To re Editor Of hs YAis.
A young Kentuekian, who looks to Virginia as
"a Syraeusan Corin,h" for his ancestors removed
to Kentucky from the old mother of the now pow
crful Commonwealth OF the West, expressed to a
friend in virginia-in whose observation and i'm q.
partialhy he did that friend the honor OF supposns
he nigh, conhde, an anxiety to know moro nearly
and accurately than be generally gathered from
the public prints, something Of our living public
men, and how they compared ii intellect and abili
ties with the high standard of the Revolutionary
and 1900 eras. Possessed Of the most sffectionale
reverence for Virginia. he had imbibed the appre
hension that her Intellectual greatness had suffered
an eclipse, and this reproaeh, often assumed as
true for party and sectional purposes, WAS source
Of sincere and painful fear with him. From being
the acknowledged Athens of the Conederacy, his
hlial affection mortified at the idea OF her retro
grading, no, ody in power, as she eonfessedy has
but in genius and talent also.
refused to aequiesce in this opinion farther than
to ackfwlsdge a declension of learning-not OF gs.
neral intelligence-but Of Individual knowledge
dunn intelligence than a, the periods he mentioned,
though fewer who were profoundly skilled in the
learning Of statesmen-m0re who were competent
TO frame the polty OF State; and guide the helm
in smooth waters, but not so many whose ,ran.cen
dant genius and extensive knowledge, were quail
fed 20 direct the storm of Revolution and create an
empire. Nor was i, to be regarded as any subject
of wonder, far less OF reproach that such was the
case. Great National exci,ements alone were pro
line in the production of multitudes who coempora.
neously dazzled the world in the fields OF arms and
politics.. In other and peaceful times, such eharae
,ers appeared at long intervals nature either think.
ing it unnecessary to produce them doing nothing
in vain, or the age aFordng sufficient Indictment
to arouse the embryo Hero. or Sage, or Poet, or
stimulus to call out his energies; the thought is
gloriously illustrated by Gray;
ssome village Hampden, who with daunle.s breas
"The llttle Tyrsni Of his field withstood,
Some mute, nsorous Milton here may rest,
some Cromwell sultless OF his eountry's blood.
The germ Of genius requires the fostering aid Of
opportunity, and the stimulating aliment Of strong
sensations 10 develope it, or even 10 render il con
scous Of its own powers. Unless public or private
occasion supplies these, perishes 10 the bud. No
man knows his own strength until it is pu, to the
trial, and many Homer and Cesar have lived and
died, ignorant that had gifted them with IA
eulties to acquire an immortal name. An eventful
epoch does not so often find as make, the brilliant
characters who adorn it. When society is stirred
to its depths, and the passions are in arms, Genius
WARMED into life a, the blaze, springs up srmed and
ready, like Minerva, TO conquer or advise. Hence
the peculiar lustre Of certain periods of history
of that Of Greece pend ng her conflict with
the Great King-of Rome in the Pompeian and
ca iarisn age-of England at tn. time Of the
"Grand Rebelion"-of our own country at the
Revolu,ion-oi France in the Reign OF Louis xiv
and at her first Revolution. II is not the warrior
only, who is fashioned by the great events passing
around him. The Poet catches the exciting inau.
enee, and strikes his Tyre TO lof;ier themes; the
fervor Of the orator is exalted, and be rolls his
thunder in deeper tones; the statesman s urged by
the impending dangers Of his country, to tax his
intellect to the exeriion Of oil its powers. AL
classes and all men impelled TO thought and
action, and thought and action are the only avenues
to greatness and fame.
Let such period come again, and Virginia would
resume her ancient position. "She IS no, dead but,
sleepeth." II che possesses now no name for
History, i, is because a long season OF national
repose, has repTessed the genius of her sons,
sumberlng in the absence Of opportunity. But
what State is more forunaie7 Who OF those who
now tread the sage Of public sffa irs, or fill the
eye OF the times have any just claim to expect TO
survive the memory of their gensra,ion7 But
two alone Gen'l Jackson and Henry Clay The
one as successful soldier, the other as statesman
OF far-seeng ken and commanding abilities. All
the rest will be passed over by the Tacus's and
Lives, the Gibbons and Humes who may hereaf
ter write our story, and be forgotten with the in.
Vulnerable crowds Of men in all ages and countries,
important in their day, but possessing no interest
for the generations which are to follow Many
deserve more distinguished fate, bu, History is not
register Of names. but a record Of deeds which
deserve to be remembered for themselves. or which
nay serve TO direct the counsels Of future times.
! With these arguments | endeavored to satisfy
my Kentucky friend OF the groundlessness of his
fears for the dsc'ension Of the Virginia mind, which
done, skeiched as he desired, the portraits Of a
number Of those among us-some Of whom he mad
asked to have skslched-now figuring in the pub
lie arena These sketches, Mr. Editor, | will place
at your disposll-ei,her for an introduction to the
h'e, or to your readers. p.