The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-11

Correspondence Of the Herald

Pregres of Refinement and Edsedfson IN q w
more" The Maryland Instituts = The No.
dem Code of Honor.
las u. BENNETT, ESQ -
Allow me, through the medium Of the Herald, 10
show the people OF the United States and OF Enope,
and of the world, the interest Baltimoreans now
taking in the cause Of education. The two past
weeks have been full of interest to both
children. Examination after examination, exhoi-
ion after exhibition has excited the dormant ener-
sies Of youth, and carried enthusiasm for know-
ledge to almost every home.
The object Of this communication is 10 notice in
particular the exhibition of the senior class OF the
Maryland Institute, in Calvert Hall, on The
22d instant. The exercises Of the day were
opened with prayer by the Right Reverend
W. r. Whittngham, Episcopal bishopof Maryland.
The audience were then and at intervals during the
lay entertained with excellent music from The In
dependent Grey's Band The salutatory address
N latin was admirably adapted for the occasion.
The original address on Liberty by r. w Poe was
popular theme and we'll delivered The Ameri-
can Patriots by M. r. Grundy would have done
credit 10 older speaker, and was listened 10 with
marked attention. The popular theme on Oratory
WIS beautifully written by VIM f Alcock. Joshua
D. Ball on Ambition showed that ne was at least
ambitious to equal his colleagues The future
prospects OF the American Republic by Thomas
3 Lewis, showed that the youthful orator had full.
ly weighed The banefu effects Of civil dssensions,
md afforded haitenng prospects OF his future sue
cess aud usefulness and though the youthful as-
pirant with some otners) sufficiently indicated his
political preference; yet we conceive it WINS the
It opinion on the part of the principal CT.
B: .6urleish,) and restriction Of opinion,
while il would narrow down the mind
to thu limits OF nut she'll. AID been prodpH.
i've of much injury, would have taken
much from the zrst and interest in tho e1Qt.d
aeces We hold, moreover, that the insirus - -
no right 70 bias 10 his own predisposeSf 3e~s
he minds OF his pupils, in either reYfson or
potlcs; the responsibility on these momrntous
lbj ecls, rests with their parents III mselvrs, and
heir God. One of the most beautiful features
conflicting views in civil and religious rights were
expressed II all our youth were thus educated to
respect the opinions OF those who honestly differ
rom them, how much Of political party rancor aud
that our state and national legislatures would
be respected the fountains Of order, If useful.
ness and wisdom;. distant nations might then
| point to US as model worthy Ct imitation. States
men and Warriors, by Fl. M. Wilson, was deliver
I'd in manner that would have added new lau-
rel TO many OF our Congressmen. The address be-
| rute, by S Chase Coale, Esq was, SO far as
could Judge, chaste and altogether most beaui-
ul prodncuon. but it was delivered in too low
one to fill the extensive hall. The Holiday Ad-
lress delivered by Robert Wekre Poe, eicired The
admiration Of the audience, and it certainly was
very great compliment 10 the youthful speaker 10
lave secured The undivided and almost breath
ess attention OF the audience after they had been
confined upwards OF four hours
The Essay on Duelng was not an inviting SUBJ
iect; yet must confess that have fully mingled
with members OF both Houses Of Congress, and
listened to arguments in favor of duelliDg from the
most gifted OF our Statesmen; have listened
20 and read arguments against duelling by
Dlvines and writers of the greatest reputation
my feelings SO imperceptlbiy carried away;
never was. ] 80 completely under the con,roi
ot any speaker, as when lsteniI the outpCurngs
Of this youthful orator. There seemed to be mo-
ral subhmuy to see youth just veIgng upon m. an
mood, al the very age when the chlvaIric feelings
/ If the code of honor, have the greatest influence
over the heart OF man, attack popular system If
nonor in the very face Of seine Of It's ablest ad-
socates, (and where public opinion was strong
gtlnst h,m,) and picture in The vivid colcrs Of
cal lte. our statesmen and heroes p-riIg Their
ives before the cannons deadly roar, and whst
IS still more astonishing, spurnDg The highest
offices from the English throne, and w,hstandpg
he almost irresistible influence Of British gold =
yer, says ne WIN the f~rvslt eeli, gs Of hls glow
lag hear, 'they withsiood Ill the sc inhat noes
combintd, but they could not Withstand the impr-
rlous law ot honor, upon whose altar the blood 4
many Of Americas most gifted sons has been pour
-dout" HIS biting sarcasm, his powerful reason,
ns convincing, l must add, ire sistlble elo-
laence must have made the heart Of the most
Jealous and bigoted advocate Of durag
alter and shrink from its awful responsibilities
have the practical as we'll as theoretical expe-
Renee OF the duellist | have run the bullet ,ha,
night be made wet with the hearts blood Of my
iriend have been on the field Of honor-but
while virtue has a seat In my he lrt-while reason
maintains her throne-may never again be lnslru-
mental in taking or jeopardizng the happiness or
life OF teow-inortal. Oh! thar every duelIist in
our country could have heard the voice and wit
nessed the enthusiasm oil this young authcr!-(T.
.. Poe) IverIly believe that no more would the
waiing OF widows, The tears and cries OF elpItss
orphans, be witnessed by American c'tlzeps-never
again would the endearments and scanctiy OF the
family circle be made desolate with tho awful
gloom OF despair, by the hand of the dueIllst.
II appears to me that the mos prominent AID
useful feature OF The exhibition was that II o.
cally taught the young men to reason and this -
themselves The essays were oil original ~
selection at the subjects, and the manner in ", u
IN were ted, must in .vilably impress UPON &
young mind u stiOng attachment 10 our republican
institutions, anu the most sacred regard Tor virtue
and sound moralliy; and when we take into
sideIa'lon the uniform Excellence in delivery with
out single exception, we hazard nothing in the
assertion, that exercises OF similar character
we're never surpassed by any institution IN The
union ucdrr the control Of private individual
The aud lence was OF truly select character, yet
50 censey thronged was The spacious hall,
Che largest In The city,) that those who were not
there al the hour OF opening, had to return home
without witnessing The exercises Among The
numerous judges OF cratory, We noticed the vtDtr-
man Of Phiiadephia. We conceive hat a' noih,ng
eau add more to The true dignity and greatness of
country, than the attention Of its most Influential
citizens to the cause of education. A new era is
about dawn upon literary institutions grner-
ally; our legislators must eventually see, that purify
| freedom, and hsppness can be enjoyed only in an
educated community.
RscEhr ADVOCATE OF THE CODE or HONOR
Mr.. WiBsrER.-For week or more past it has
been announced in The papers that Mr.. Webster
would argue importsnt law before Chancellor
Waiworth. 1T Albany but tho public expectation has
been ssppoinei by the subsequ Mt notice that
bad Teen postpsned till October aud that therefore MIR
Webster granted little longer time hunt and Ash