Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-06-24
To tic Editors If the Enq

To Tic Editors If the Enquirer.
THE s. l.. MESSENGER AND THE UNIVERSITY.
A few days since, Correspondent Of The En-
ouirer, "a Graduate Of William and Mary took
the public journals 10 task, for alleged parzan-
ship in behalf of the University OF Virginia.
had been pleased at the lone OF the press, as ma
nesing an interest in the welfare oil Literary In
s,itutions. | understood that the deep solicitude
expressed, was not because the Institution was The
University, but because one OF The most lmpor'
tant of our Stale Colleges had received very Sc
rious blow Hence, | thought il a good sign 10
see the press so earnest and 81 unanimous IN
supporting il under lis heavy shock. Not so your
CORRESPONDENT, "A Graduate Sc. he sees in il
craftsmanship and unjust paItiality
and he takes occasion 10 animadveIt, in tone
and language Of which shall not speak, upon
an article in behalf of the University, IN the
| last Southern Literary Messenger. he says
$50 prevalent has become the mania, that II Is
mol confined 10 the daily and weekly papers, but
The last Literary Messenger, monthly perodl-
cal has become infected by the spreading coma
zion, caught the dying echo of these productions
repeated in dolorous strains the ol-lod tales, and
! reiterated the WORKOUT exhorlations To her Alum
nj TO stand by their Alma Mater defend her from
| the attacks OF her secret enemies, and conionnd
| her calumniatorS."
"CaugM he dyinc eci0 of these productions =
a graduate knows that the Messenger IS issued
only once month, and must "bide It's time, be-
fore il can speak on any subject, of passing III,
rrest, however appropriate or important. The
occasion demanded an appeal, and am sure thai
The Messenger would have been the FIRST instead
Of the last, 10 make il, had it been practicable. A
Literary Journal seems 10 me 10 be most lrsiti-
maely employed when attempting 10 shield an
| important Institution from 4 threatened calamity
"a Graduate" SAYS, one would have supposed from
the efforts put forth in her favor, that The Uni
versily was the only College in The Slate think
very differently II could only have been thought
| that she was ne OnlyOnc whose safctvand pnsNrM
,rcre endangered bu late nniOrfunaie and dtsas
h0us ont,Jreak; and il was this peculiarly in heI
situation which called forth and justifed every
word that was said in her vindicalion and sup
port Place any other of Our Institutions in heI
circumstances and it, for The time, would deserve
10 receive the same interes; and attention. Other
Institutions too are referred 10 in The June Mes
scnger, and William and Mary specially named
"a Graduate" farther says, 1.-THE June Messenger
speaks of The University as State Institution
Does that give heran peculiar advantages over
other Colleges, "&c? Does the June Messenger
draw any such inference, from the fact that she is
State institution The Messenger says, "Tht
University is a State Institution, and may 'reI %
riadicated IN The Messenger" This is done
,ritfout c least dsparasemcpi 10 other honorea In.
stilulions" A Virginia Literary Periodical
might properly vindicatc State Institution, over
taken by lale disastrous riot A Stale lnsttu
ton, too, is in The power of the Legislature, who
can withhold The Stale bounty. The Messenger
is not prepared TO see this done, trust. Other
Institutions, being independent OF the Legislature
needed nothing 10 save them from legislative dis
favor
Again. he says: "The Messenger is period
cal well deserving the support of the South; ou'
if il wishes TO advance It's own interests, II SHOULD
make friends by favuring all institutions, ana no
enemies by becoming the organ OF one.
Consulting ones interests often checks impulses
To do right; and am glad 10 see the Messenger
leopardizins It's interests Gin The opinion OIL "a
Graduate in an effort 10 DO risht. Inc Mes
senger cannot properly be the organ, on lis pre-
,cnl basis, of any institution II speaks only a.
occasion NAV require When The College Con
vention met in this City, 10 solicit aid 10: The Col
leses of the Stale from the Legislature, Inc Uni
yersity was not even represented, and yet The Mes
.enger contained an editorial article, secondln;
the appeal of The Convention. mat occasion
called for such an article but The occasion nov
referred 10, gave prominence and interest, Tor In
time TO the University, md TO that alone. In
! Messenger, o. course must desire 10 make ~
enemies; but il its course towards me oni'elshy
in its late precarious condilion-the iruils Q
years about 10 ba blasted in an insant-produc
enemies, apprehend that this IS unavoidable,
: it ever dare TO do light.
Again, he says:
"Had the late unfortunate occurrences happene
, TO her, William & Mary,) they would have bee
IL b,, bar
sharpen the poisonous fangs OF their hatred io
her damnaion and destruction" &c.
, This must be ungenerous. Who could he $
base? am sure that if there be one SO isnobl
in The whole country, and he be worth noticin:
the Messenger would brand him as deeply as po
: sibe with lis scorn and ccnsure. "a Graduate
is probably ignorant that The present editor OF II
Messenger is also an alumnus OF william x NJ;
rs, and as much nd.o,ed and as much devoted
her as he. In the article complained OF, me ed
tor, il seems 10 me, showed that be iondly remen
/, bered her; and called upon her alumni 10 MOCK
i her support also.
a Graduate concludes thus:
she hopes that The cause OF learning AMI me-
tai improvement may Re advanced py me con
: bined influence of all, and that The people M
{ be fully IMPRESSED with a sense of The important
h of learning, that all may flourish" &c.
;, llO~ appropriate lHio - ~
. marks every reader can Judge. After reading
in connection with what had preceded, one Won
: be disposed 10 look for the names Of some others
5 the nine or len colleges in the Stale; but Il Is
William & Mary from beginning TO END.
not object 10 his warm defence OF the dear .
! college; but he preclujed himself from The priv
!. lege, BY The tenor of his remarks upon the couI
: Of The friends of the University Yes, sa
+ sustain and encourage all eur coibses; out II
: Legislature will not aid more than one, let V
:. ginia have at least one institution 10 which $
!. can point as The fruit Of her liberal pa!Ioha
e and bounty. Il is unjust 10 tempt 10 misIepl
- sent The sentiments OF the Messenger towards
! literary institutions from short Article can
!. forth BY unusual circumstances. Observe us
i neral Tenor, and read its article on The Cole
= Convention Of Virginia. 10 which A Gradn;
>. OF William & Mary is referred by another graz
10 ale OF William G. Mary, and a friend TO H. ano
- A FRIEND OF THE MESSENGER
q See Southern Literary Messenger Feb. 1884, p.
r1.E.n Id