Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-06-20
IMPORTANT ESTioN-HlsToRICAL
SOCIETY.


~ PS'4NSi VI NSSuoi.SNS'
IMPORTANT Observation-Disclosures
SOCIETY.
FoR THE ENQUIRER.
TO the Alumni of the University of Virginia.
The painful position which your Alma Mater
has recently occupied in the public view NOT doubt
exc:les your anxiety in her behalf 1t is a fact as
Notifying as it is undoubted, that sentiments Of
hostility 10 the University exist, which probably
await only favorable opportunity for action
The recent disturbances will doubtless I've hailed
as afiordinS The p7oriiious moment, and The next
session Of The Legislature will, it is 10 be feared,
witness an attack upon the Institution, similar in
nature, but more violent than that which stained
the proceedings oflhe last The causes of a feel
ing which prompts Vifginians TO attempt the de-
slruclion OF an institution incomparably superior
10 every Southern Col ese, and inferior 10 none
on this continent, might possibly be traced, but
not without exciting irritation where harmony is
all important. All agree, that this hostility is
fed by the misforiunes Uf The University and cal
only be slfed by long career of success; but
what right have we 10 hope for that success, if,
in The midst OF her perils She is sighted by her
own sons? ltappcafs 10 be peculiarly incumbent
upon the alumni al this unc,urc, 10 rally 10 The
support of The Unyersily; and the only doubt
should be as 10 the most efficient mode OF action.
The following suggestions upon this subject,
from one Of your body, will be amply rewarded,
should they produce no other effect than 10 excite
your attention. The alumni have not heretofore
been wholly neecclu Of the interests of the
University; society having been formed for the
purpose of eiieclins The annual assemhlage OF
their body within the walls OF that inst,ution.-
II was thought by he founders Of The Socie-
~, that an inclination 10 revisit the scenes OF
youthful pursuits, and the pleasures Of meeting
with Old friends, would be sufficient inducements
10 bring hack The alumni once in The course Of
each year. Such asscmblages, il was supposed,
would be emineDlly beneficial 10 the University,
by preserving an attachment 10 il in class Of The
community, constantly increasing in number
The result has been partial failure, which
serves, however as guide for our future urse.
The inducements 10 assemble have rot, as yet,
proved strong enough 10 overcome the lnconveni-
encc attending it, This Inconvenience arises
chiefly from the time selected for the close Of the
session, which happens no only in the midst Of
harvest, when a large portion Of tie alumni are
employed on their farms bnt, also upon day
devoted 10 public celebrations engrossing The al
tenlion of the whole community, and imposing
engagements, mol 10 be Sighed, upon many OF The
alumni. The first step, therefore, 10 renovation
Of our society, should be q change OF time in
closing the session. This change might proba-
hly be Obtained hv 4 concurrent application OF
the faculty and Of The alumni 10 The visitors. A
corresponding change in me commencement
would preserve the length Of tie session unm-
paired. The chief cause OF the failure, how
ever, in the attempt to sustain The present So
ciely Of alumni, seems to l. generally agreed
upon, To be the want OF a proper subject Of deli
bera ION 10 give interest 10 their annual meetings.
The selection OF an orator iOr lie Fourth ol July
is rather too puerilc an occupation 10 interest
men, many OF whom have aiIained mature
middle age The great desiieralum in socie-
ties OF This kinl is employment without II,
their meetings become wcaflsoine, ana soon
cease. The existence -four society depends, there
fore, upon The selection Of an object oil attainment
sufficiently attractive 10 bring lht members tose-
Their. OF the various societies existing through
out the United States among the most lionrlshlng
are those whose object il is 10 collect and pre-
serve historical facts New York, Maryland,
South Carolina, Georgia, and several other
States, possess historical societies, whose meet
ings are interesting in The extreme, and usually
occasion 4 conilux OF men, distinguished ior
their literary and scientific attachments Great IL
tcrary assemblages OF this nature are always be-
neticial, since they add personal friendship 10 The
ties which bind together The community OF letters.
The chief functions of historical societies, are
the collection OF valuable and interesting iacis
and the adoption OF means proper TO peIpe,uate
hem, the concentration oil the numseress rll!s oil
individual knowledge (Which might otherwise be
lost) into one reservoir, thus forming an mex,
hausiiblc source Of supply TO The statesman and
historian. Many valuable paper might bs res
cued from The moths, or the hands of an owner
ignorant of lis value, and perpeluaed IN me ar
chives of an active society. The New York His
torical Society has caused the public records OF
England, France and Holland 10 be searched
and thus saved from oblivion many important
facts in the history OF that State. Similar re-
searches have been conducted under the auspices
of societies in some OF the other States. Could
there be richer field for The labors Of an historical
society than that offered by Virginia? Her history
is rep.e,e with mailer equally Interesting and con-
siructve, which, buried in her old mansion houses
is last Fastening TO destruction. The flrst portion
Of the American Continent, except Florida, sue
cessfully colonized, the first community known &c
history, which ever governed itself by written
Constitution, one Of the starting points oil me Re
voln,iun, the generator of political doctrines
taught throughout the Union, the annals oil Vlr'
gina, as matters OF interest 10 the general reaoer
and as a school of instruction 10 The statesman
far snrpass those OF most members OF ms Lon
federacy. Yet how shamefully have thesc noDle
materials been neglected: a few meagre histories
which SO rare, as 10 be curosiiies ana so utl,
satisfactory, as 10 cause wonder mat they shouh
be preserved at all, contain The only accounts O
Virginia and her institutions. An historical so
ciely in Virginia would have ample employment
if conducted with energy, and as us onlect Wouit
be one OF general interest," lis membership shoulc
b. extended 10 all desiring il, and every mar
ct literary distinction in the Stale should p'
pressed, if possible, into lis service. Gan we
therefore, render the University and inc pnoii'
greater service than by Transforming Inc Societl
OF Alumni into Stale historian society
which shOuld preserve, if you please, 10 us name
some badge OF its origin, and shonla Keep hS"i
chives and hold its annual meetings al me uni
,ersity, whose central position, large library
scientific society. and salubrions climate, pecu
liarly fiji il for The purpose? II should comprise
mol uny The Alumni but The leading literary mel
OF The Commonwealth. and all others desiring t
aid The cause. Such an organization would IN
vest lis meetings with rare interest, ana ensure
full attendance Of the members The benefits
which would accrue 10 the University IN thus
having the most influential men OF Inc STAT
brought into familiar and friendly contact win
at stated intervals are TOO palpahle 10 need de
monslration. The scheme, nodoubt, may be pro
nounced visionary; and it may be alleged, tina
both the Society of Alumni and an Hislorica
Society, have been tried without success
They have never been combined; together
they may possess strength TO overcome obsta
cles witch would be insurmountable by e.
Their alone. If the project be prosecuted with Vi
gor, it must succeed; If il be conducted with
languor thought by some to be constitutional will
Virginians, it must fail, and we shall then h
where We are now. Where success promise
much, and failure brings no loss, he must be Ii
mid who fears to move. Should these sugges
lions appear TO you worthy Of consideration, til
approaching day for The meeting Of The Alumni
affords an opportunity 10 act ard 10 2llempt some