Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-08

To THE EDITOR OF THE Who
am tho less punc,ilious in nhciing this piece
upon YOU lnasmuch as the obligation will not be Sc
personal, MS general. The scheme proposed by the
education Convention, in regard tn n chance of the
Armory ut Richmond, into n Military School IN,
legislative action, appears meet with that silent
yet universal appreciation, which is so much IN bs
preferred in all political matters to that popula,
| sense, which manests ITSELF in some by loud and
ineonsiderate applause, and in others by rancorous
opposition no less excessive. This proposition n,
Tar as my observation extends appears to afford an
almost iniaIilble criterion, whereby to estimate the
degree OF generosity and patriotism existing i'm Cur
Old State-od IN years, but young in deeds OF pub
lie fa'thlessncss and narrow mindcdncss Nbg
and Democrat will here unite; not for the sake ri
union; but for the sake of honesty and the pubic
good We have observed neither n single instance
OF avld,y in snatchlns at this recommendation. ms
happy windall for the purpose of making poli,ic,l
capital. or ioothod for party battling ;nor any real
or affected horror ut what, will have the csndor
to say, we thought the folly fears of some would
have caused them TO regard the beginning or the
| contamination OF the establishment of a "Standins
Army" Whatever step pirtizlnship nav induce
some TO take, we may rest assured ofths fact-thst
the appreciation oil most citizens-tthe neutrality OF
some, anc. apparently, the opposition of none) is n
sure index that petty paltry considerations, and NV
poerchl jealousy of public liberty are swallow al
up, or forgotten IN admiration Of n scheme in which
the veresI rustic may see prospect Of COOL and the
cunningcsi statesman no earnest of evil. To beliey.
| the proposition of the Convention even an epnnox;
nation 10 the STANDING Army" as emanntine Tor ca
affrmed) from MIR Van Buren,, would exhibit me raj
oolqulues at correct deduction sheer contracted
ness oil knowledge, of which a boy might well be
ashamed. II there now existed n Military School
at the Armory, and an effort were made 10 chance
u 10 lis present nature zcalots of liberty might then
nsht against The innovation with tarer hopes OF hay-
ing their efforts ascrbed 10 patriotic and ,obo
emotions, than to blind zeal in party strife inl;f
tercntiy directed 10 "wLnl o. woe" A comn,nv nj
youth, whose pursuit 10 knowledge, and whose
obedience TO laws is voluntary, is liable TO be called
TO the field OF action only in the opinion of thai mar,
oil the LITERATURE OF our country who are grossly
ignorant OF the obligations and conditions of cadet
ship. Leaving, however, the discussion of This
point, which legislative acumen is better calculated
To clucldate-i indeed, ii be worthy of ensenderin,
delay in action-we will briefly consider the plan nc
promoiive OF the extension OF know ledee Nov
here IS an opportunity of carrying out what appear,
TO have been the main object Of the Convention viz.
placing an education in the reach of those TO whom
personal, or private pecunlary aid was wanting
with certainty and success In the event of its es
adjustment, wealth influence will not be looked
upon as tests OF selection in cAdets-but phvsicaI
and moral fitness, wherein the poor are equal and
often superior 10 the wealthy. a College regulated
on these principles, is, may say better than anv
other where instruction 10 impaired at the public
expense. lst because here the poor seeks admission
and preserves an honorable continuance without
fear OF having their feelings wounded bv ridicnIe
from tailor-made gentry directed TO their pove,v.
and, indy, II tends strongly TO perpetuate that
truest, and best OF Republican features eounltv in
rank which Is implied in that clause of our Consti-
tuuon which declares us all 'born free and equal
And here, likewise, when superiority is accorded 10
any no regard will be had the dollars and Giants
oil which the subjec, can boast the possession or IN
the rank OF his family whether 1t can show as its
pateramIlies, butcher, senator or President
but to mental and moral requirements alone Onc
OF the main grounds on which we found n predic.
ton OF partial, or total failure in almost any action
when ne Legislature may take in reference to
Eraa Nrh nHNa che I,E,,
and Keen sensbity Of feeling, which charncterizes
our State. The bare idea Of entering School con-
Quoted a. the public cost is often sufficient TO eci,
from the ragged urchin, who may have more means
OF ventilation than the "holcs IN the kneep n conse
qneniill them" and n lofty strut-hherty personi
he'd m rags. Yet, II is a noble sentiment md ,go
value It's sancllty without i'm provement of mind
more than ITS contamination with education oh.
tanned at the public expense. We again repeat it,
That IN school Ike this, there is no sacrifice of Tin,
sentiment, or imposition upon feelings no, les,
prniscworthy. The establishment of tho con;emo.
lated Military Institute, would together with The
Institute at Lexington, lie the means Of diiTiusng
throughout our State that SOLID and rHnRoucu
know edge Of science and literature which we
might IN VAIN expect from free Schools or any
others established on other principles, however
costly their plans, or careful their management-
Add TO this that general diffusion of NIilitarv
knowledge, which will always prevent us from
being taken unlwares, ard whenever engaged in
conflict will ensure power, and effect to our arms
All this ~ IN be done without to the State for
the same houses which now cOntnin, and the somn
money which now supported baud OF mefcennry sol.
dlers, would suffice to maintain 100 or 100 Young
men, to serve the State while there, and honour Il
when out. "A private ncqunntl nee as well as poli.
tca, with yourself MIR Editor, induces q belief that
we may use the freedom to attack your opinions
through your own columns. In an editorial 1--WE
speak from memory prehxed to the report Of the
Committee on Military Schools tho fear was eH-
pressed That two much confidence would be placed
IN na EI fsI
defence Of the Armoury Now, We think, land
50 we are all taught from chd-hood) that the char.
ncler Of young man between the age Of IC and
~, has received that bias which will remain. and
character 10 the man through life. II he is a coward
at ls or 20, he will be n coward always: II brave
and m the possession Of honour nj the same acc so
will he ever be. The passions can never be reyer.
sed and we may MS confidently rely on coursge
and honour alto, as atnny other age, even at that
OF the greytst headed soldier at the Armoury, who
receives 90 per month.
Respectfully,
FRIEND 10 KNOWLEDGE.