Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-07-04
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
TIE Unirersay and the Proposition 10 remore 10
Riehmond.
sAruRpAY MORNING. JULY Z. ists

That correspondent pays the highest comph-
ments to the Military Institute at Lexngton-to
Ia principal, Francis H. Smith, whom he ranks
among the benefactors Of the State, and TO his
colleague John T. l.. Preston-compliment which
We have no doubt are well deserved. He dwells
upon the Importance Of connecting military dis
cipline with academic instruction, and TO this
powerful auxiliary" attributes much Of the I'M
paralleled success of the Institute. He sums up
the benefits of blending Military discipline with
academic instruction in a few expressive words,
and there will be few, we think, TO dissent from
the soundness Of his reasoning.
1.-THE habits Che says) of system, order and
punctuality, in all things, which young men ac-
quire in the course Of education at the Institute,
are treasure to them in every situation of life,
and il is easy to 20 forward to the time when every
portion Of the State will have its share of these
graduates available for every public work in time
Of peace, and invaluable as Commanders in time
Of War"
This, we believe, is truth, and truth expressed
with force and elegance. We confess, however,
that we have felt antipathy to the introduction
Of military discipline among the pursuits Of the
Academy. We abhor war, even less for the ca
lamities it infcts race, than in a Republic
for the imminent dangers to which it subjects CT
VII Liberty. We want no more Heroes to cast
their swords into the scales of Political Justice,
and make the right kick the beam; TO subjugate
the imaginatons of the dizzy multitude, and play
the Dictator to the country and the arbiter of its
laws. The innate tendency Of all Republics TO
war and conquest, is one ofthe most marked traits
Of their character, and We had thought that it
the part Of the wise law-gver rather TO repress
than to encourage the inherent disposition That
encouragement is given to certain extent at
least by Military education TO youth; but TO this
We are aware it may and will be replied, that
wars are inevitable, and that preparation ought to
be made in the education ofyouth to meet and van.
quish the danger.
But adjournng the discussion of this point, let
look at the probable results Of transferring the
Institute from Lexington to Charlottesville.
The first and very desirable consequence would
be, to terminate that collision which propnquity
has naturally perhaps unavoidably, produced be.
tween Washington College and the Institute-a
collision which will undoubtedly grow more heat.
ed, and prove injurious to one or both. We enter
not into that controversy, or the question which
party is in fault. We only know that it exists; we
only feel that it will in fierceness and bitter.
ness and that it will be of prejudice to the inter.
ests of education.
In the second place, the Institute, occupying
the University buildings nj Charlottesville would
have position worthy of its present reputation
and that future expansion which its very jealous
friends seem determined to give it. 1t would be
more in the eye of the State, and in better situa
ton to exhibit its usefulness to the actual observa
a. r. t.
its population, we should think the exchange
would be desirable.
But we confess we have little expectation or
hope that the authorities of the University will
consent to a migration to Richmond however OBJ.
viously the interests Of education might require H.
or however beneficial il might prove in pecunary
and social view to the Professors Pride will re.
sist the practical Acknowledgment il would afford
Of having failed to achieve any thing worthy the
State or the endowments where they now are
We should have arrayed against the movement
q farrago Of cant about Monticello the shade of
Jefferson and his Legacy to Virginia "a "Lega-
CIV" as friend wittily observed, like that left by
a certain gentleman who died before his nup.
tials, to his betrothed-a mourning ring, TO be
paid for out OF her own money! We have little
we believe is pretty much the ruling Univer
sity power, the Proctoria good will TO the move
ment.
But there is one power upon which we do RELY
the will Of the People expressed through the
Legislature. East and West, North and South.
we believe the People of Virginia, with few ex
ceptions, are determined upon a radical and fun
damental change in the University, and no longer
10 submit to contribute 800 900 every : wears.
TO pay for educating those whose fathers are able
10 educate them, while the poor and aboring cas.
ses are totally excluded from participation in
benefits which they are taxed to dispense to those
whose means are adequate TO seek them elsewhprel
This 10 monsrous anomaly and crying grievance
which the Legislature will be criminally false TO
the country if il do not reform without delav
Let u.s. while on this subject, call the attention
Of Virginia West Of the mountains, to one single
and striking fact. II is that in 10 years, as as.
contained from the published catalogues. only u
Virginia Students from beyond the Aephanv
Mountains have been entered at the University.
There is general conviction that the Univer.
sity will never flourish where il is, no matter what
changes are made, and reforms Instituted. II has
too much preiudiceto surmouni, and too much dead
reputation 10 impede its march, Change Of air is
necessary as well as change Of Regimen: Like
pulmonary Patient il must seek more genial eli
mate, and TINT climate is Richmond Here is
benches would be Immediately thronged: Here 90.
ing from his fathers house. or from his humble
lodgings adapted to his humble fortunes, the poor
mans son would be enabled to share the bounty
Of his country and the blessings Of learning.-
Hero we undertake to say there would be no un.
seemly riots, and no ambitious contention in profit
gate expenditure
But why insist upon self evident uuthsl We
appeal to Cesar, to the Legisature-to the peo-
pie
Our correspondent continues:
as far o. eau sec, the Unipersify has done no good
aud fear 10 utterly ruined in character. IL IL the lar
get recipient Of the states bounty. and present loea
ted snd constituted essentially orstoorao Institution
inaccessible the poor. however deserving. Let be
N-.a.