Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-05-09
RICHMOND DAILY WIG.
UNIVERSITY OF VA.
FRIDAY MORNING. NAY .. is.s


We publish by request the statement by the
Faculty of the late Disturbances Mt the University.
We have but one feeling on tho subject, and
that Of regret at the occurrences detailed. We
do not doubt, but that the Students were in the
wrong. We know what College rebellions arc
for we witnessed two in our day-in one Of (which
we participated, and Of the other were a mere
spectator and we can safely say that the Stu
dents are always wrong in the beginning. But
the mass of them are never malicious, and medi-
tate no serious mischief. Their object is merely
to annoy their teachers-an object deemed legiti-
mate By urchins all the world over. The Profess
sors have only to withhold all notice Of the spirit
Of nsubordination which manifests ITSELF and it
will speedily subside. Resistance on their part
blows the spark into n flame. The esprit de corps,
which is stronger among Students than any other
set Of men-the military not exceptionally the
orderly to the succour of the bad, who always be-
gin the disturbances, and in this way, the whole
BODY Of Students come to make common cause
against the authorities Of the Institution. True
wisdom, on the part Of Professors. consists in dis
regarding petty outrages, and yielding in small
matte ~ to the excessive sensibihty of young men.
Ii will be seen that such Students as have left
the Institution are invited to return. We hope
they will lay aside a false pride. and comply
promptly with the invitation.
The Alexandria Gazette touches, with truth
and force. the high ground Of principle on which
the Wing party is entrenched. IL we understand
truly the ends and aims of that great party, they
desire nothing so much as to prcserre, as they are,
in all their purity and vigor, the wise and benefi-
cent institutions, which have come down TO us
from our ancestors. They are satisfied with the
liberty, which those Institutions bestow-and they
covet only to shield il from every approach ofdan.
ger and TO perpetuate it. Indeed, we have never
yet seen the honest man, out Of Jail, who did not
feel and acknowledge, that the freedom We en-
Joy in this country, is enough to satisfy every just
and reasonable desire of the human heart. Per.
feet freedom OF person, liberty of conscience, and
the unrestricted privilege to each individual of
choosing his own means of happiness are accorded
TO all. The only danger is that this unchecked
liberty may degenerate into RIGHTEOUSNESS, and en-
gender n spirit oflawlessness and rapine.
The highest effort of enlightened patriotism,
where so much liberty abounds, and where all
power springs from the multitude, isa firm adhe.
renee to the right and u manly resistance to the
mad impulses Of the moment. The task Of the
Demagogue and the ofiee-seeker, in humoring
popular prejudice and exasperating popular pas
sion is as easy as il is detestable and mischiev-
Gus ; it is only the true patriot, who, disregarding
self, stems with a brave breast the torrent ofpopu-
lar fury, when its direction is wrong, and rebukcs
with n stern energy the follies of the people, when
they lead to ruin. This arduous task is that Of
the great Wing party. We trust they will never
be wanting to the duties OF their high vocation.
Clouds may temporarily lower upon them-de-
feat may attend their most strenuous eIertions ;
but their labors will not be vain. When the pas
sion of the moment shall have passed away, and
reason resumed her sway, their disinierested ef
forts for public liberty, contrasted with the mer-
cenary labors ofDemagogues, will be appreciated
and rewarded.
From the Alexandria Gazette.
"The eoRserrsIire political character which the waIs
PARTY maintains, and according 10 is true principles, must
aud will have 10 maintain, frequently throws a momenlsy
cloud VI unpopuisry over It's course, which fnghiens the
timid, and drives away from its ranks the weak and vscil.
lsiing. The democracy" Of this country, rs tits called,
according to the cant Of the day, is pTogressive and. .un-
checked, unresuained, with full and free scope given to il
action, we should be glad to know 10 what point in govern
menl and social order 1t would al last arivel-to what end
Il frequently tends in its progress, unfortunately we all see
and know. Bot in this onward march il collects a great
crowd, who soon learn 10 pstake Of its excitement, answer
10 its shouts, and who are hurried with it into the extremes
Of rashness and sometimes the extremes u injustice and
folly. Those who. judging eooly and nationally. and look.
ing not to the mOmenAry triumph Of party. or the graft
6csuon Of leaders and dema9ogues, but to the solid aud
enduring prosperity Of me county, and the permanence
Of eOasfiiSfioaaI liberty and government a. ut present Of
ganized, refused to fall into the ranks Of the progressipe par.
~, are suRmsiized ~ enemies 10 popular rights, as opposed
10 the people, and ne wanting in tho genuine patriotism
which the true patriots arogated to themselves and deIude
their followers into the belief that they possess. Tsunis
and threats, the fear Of population displessure, the hope OF
Office and Distinction, the wish to DO on the strong side,
the dread Of remaining IN a minority, and many other
motives Of a similar character, as we said. draw from the
Wing party the weak aud validating, end sometimes, over
cast it, prospects, aud throw a gloom around II. hopes.
But there is no true hearted WING that does not Eight on,
and fight ever with cheerful gaiety even IN The lhiekes.
gloom, when no reflects that b.. position. 10 the one we
have described. and that he has actually. IN the career Of
his county, to perform in her service, the noble.t and
most honorable u duues-ihe duty Of msintsining her true
interests, and promoting her true hsppiaess, without per.
sonai or party reward, snd IN the sp.nt. in some degree,
whfeh setusted the immortal defenders Of lsw agains, pow.
sr, in ali times past, the Hampdens and Sidneys Of other.
days. Besides. their oppositon 10 Itsen, worth eyery thing.
They have been called the bsllsnc. wheel 81 the political
machine. Destroy IL, and what would become Of the IN
uieste msehine Of Representative Republican government
TEXAS ANNEXATION.
II would seem from The tone Of public senli
ment in Texas, that this grand project is on the