Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-13

here But that il is coming can We doubt, wnen
we consider in how short lime AbolltionlSm mas
grown flum insgnifcance into consideration and
with what rapid swels it continues TO advance
when we see foreign conventions assembling TO
break down our rights-England, invoked by
American abolitonsts, formally announcing 10
our Government, that is her settled "pOticy" and
that "she is constantly ercrting herself 10 procure
the abolition Of slavery"-and when respectable
British periodicals are warmly urging that "the
onlv way 10 fight Brother Jonathan is TO arm The
slave against The master, and boldly proclaim the
sentiment "a war with America, blessing TO
mankind on the ground that il would liberate
The African from his bondage, by placing in his
hands the assassin's dagger and incendiarys
torch? Can we doubt that il is coming when We
examine The abolition statistics OF the U. States;
when we see their fragrant invasions OF our rights;
their increasing virulence and strength; when We
see conventions assembling whose avowed object
is 10 dissolve the Union, and even religious Ira
ternity denied 10 the owners OF slaves! Gan we
doubt that it is coming, when every mail now
brings us The disorganzing proceedings OF these
irenZied enthusiasts !? Let il come say they,
exn,iIg in The hope of its speedy arrival, though
Southern fields be crimSoned with the blood OF
our murdered citizens. "Let it come" san IRE,
mournfuly deploring the unhappy catastrophe,
but firm in our resolves 10 shed the last drop Of
our blood in the maintenance OF our rights
When il does come. however, il is then that we
will need The ready pen, the eloquent tongue, the
fiery energy and untinching spirit OF Southern
patriots with Southern symrathies, and Southern
souls, with pulses beaing responsive to every
call from their State, and hearts burning with un-
allowed reverence for the institutions Of their an
cesorS, and unquenchabe love for the homes OF
their childhood Again will We need Henries,
and Rnlcdges, and Randolphs and Sumlers and
Lees-the pen Of Jefferson and sword Of Wash
inglon-lo save the Republic and preserve The
Union. With such men al the helm 10 guide US
in our troubles, an unruled sea and cloudleSs
SKY NAV, perhaps, greet our eyes, when the storm
has spent lis fury. But where are such men 10
be found Amid strange people, differing from
the Souhrons in temperament and sympalhies-
or with their kindred in blood and in feeling !? On
the rock bound coasts OF the chilly North where
they must hear daily condemnation OF their do
nestle institutions and, even from their instruc-
tors in science, opinions pnlavorable 10 The sys-
lem Of society in the land OF their fathers or
among the blue mountains OF their own sunny
cline where no mali.n influence can weaken
the ties which bind them 10 The soil Of their natl
witty 5?
In pressing this view, let me not be considered
4 rrtiner. The patriotic feeling The result oil as
ISOLATION, must decline in strength, il lis aimtni
be Withdrawn. Fiial love- nay, parental afiec-
lion, will not always stand The lest OF long Sc
paration. 1t is al college that the character is
formed, the inclnaons are determined. Who
that has been student, can ever tear from bis
heart The tender memories clustered around
The Alma Mailer OF his youth, or tail 10 les
liiy 10 the lasting influence ut lis asSocia-
tons upon his character and subsequent career
The State Loyalty Of the Souherner may with
sand, il is true, the nnirendly influence OF
Northern residence; yet il is thereby deprived OF
stimulating food which would have increased The
vigor o: ii, growth. He may moi contraction his
Northern College any grateulreverence or INDY
ing attachments yet such feelings, il our univer-
sily, or Columbia College Of South Carolina, or
old William and Mary were their object. would
give the South deeper hold upon his affections.
II. then, parents Ito not wish their sons 10 en-
counter The unquestionable injury and deep dis
grace las most esteem i'd OF an expulsion from
College; ilhey do not wish their Southern Loyalty
impaired, their happiness marred, and profession
al prospects obscured, lei them no, 90 10 New En-
gland in search OF Education. Let them calmly
reflect upon the consequences, il the first literary
institution of The Sonh with pains erected and
with expense sustained, and which, in the short
space OF twenty years, has run career Of almos,
unparalleled usefulness, be now permitted To perish
lion, or the hasty excuses Of few impulsive
youths Il should be considered that such result
would injuGe the fair fame of Virginia and reflect
upon The Southern character unjuSty charged as
il has been, with solh and turbulence. II The
strongest considerations of patriotism and interest
did mol appeal TO us in behalf Of The University,
State pride, Southern pride, should enlist us in its
support
THAT il should have Southern enemies, is in
deed surprising. But lamenta bic 10 say, not even
the sad accidents which have beiallen il, have so
much mpeded lis progress, as The remorseless OPP
position which il has encountered from its ioun-
dalton The bitter enemies of Jefferson and his
principles, leemng with all The venom of Har-
~ Lee, have insidiously poisoned the public mind,
10 its prejudice. They have been reluctantly
compelled al last, by unquestioned statements Of
facts, 10 withdraw those religious objections which
have done incacuable mischief 10 the institn-
ton But every slight disturbance renews The
violence Of their attacks; and the poor have been
encouraged 10 believe that il was DESIGNED and
operates for The sole benefit of the rich. Even
some OF our Legislators have yielded 10 The popu-
lar prejudice SO indusiriously tosiered. But f,he
friends Of the institution were as active as its enc
mics, il would have deep hold upon the afiec-
lions of every class in the community Ii its
claims were Justly appreciated, the poor man
would recognize il as friend and benefaclor, and
be willing 10 acknowledge, that, il the annual ap-
preparation TO il Of fifteen thousand dollars were
devoted 10 the erection of schools they would re-
turn him no adequate compensation for its loss
If the University deserves no support because the
poor mans son cannot directly enjoy its benefits,
all colleges are liable TO the same objection. II
there be no colleges how can the poor man get
competent instructors? Has he no interest in The
cause OF science and the diffusion Of knowledge
Does he feel no pride in The great men of science,
the classical scholars, the distinguished iterati
and profound statesmen The foundation Of whose
emnence has been laid in The academic halls of
his native State? Is il Of no moment TO him that
the University should send forth such men as Bay
IL and Hunter, Seldom and Caskie TO Toll in his
service? Neither lie nor his children may re-
ceive any but indirect advantage from the higher
institutions OF learning yet il should be borne in
mind that in this country at least, Humes obser-
walton is unguesionably just, that The drivers and
owners of coaches exchange places every Two or
three generations: He should regard, them the in
terests of his more remote postellty
No narrow prejudice nor seclona antipathy in
duces me to oppose the Southern patronage OF
Northern institutions. Northern colleges will be
benefited by the prosperity ofSouthern Iftheir SUI
periority be unquestoned the wholesome stimulus
OF rivalry will be lost 1t is wise 10 encourage an
honorable emulation in arts sciences and litera-
ture between the different sections and States of
the Union To the competition existing between
the numerous distinct States Of Greece, and fos-
tered By The frequent exciting contests Of her ma
lional games, we may chiefly attribute her bril-
liant prosperity The rapid growth Of the Uni
ted States, points we may hope, to lime when
we shall have no rivals among The nations Of the
earth. An injurious torpor would then arrest our
progress, if counleracins influences did not ex-
isl in the peculiar structure OF our Federative
Government. II is TO he hoped, that generous
rivalry among sister States will avert this evil
while the Union lasts. Capitalization Of science
and letters is, in this country, as much to be
dreaded as consolidation in Government.
Let the South then, support lis own Universe
~: and it will prove copious and inexhauslible
fountain, whence streams OF useinl information
will never cease TO percolate every nook Of the
community. II has accomplished much in its