Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-07
FoR THE ENoCIKsK'
IMc Init,crs1fu nf YIrcini0.

Gated men are directed towards our literary III
situations, and the friends OF education are deVi-
sing means for their improvement, II IS meet ma
every objection TO their present arrangement
should be well weighed and considered by men
whose attention have been directed to other mat
tiers, than those embraced within the range Oh tne
political parties OF The day.
It is, therefore, truly unfortunate, that inc re-
cent attack upon the University OF Virginia
should have originated with an individual" whose
amiability has not been increased by the summary
defeat of the party which has the honor Of mum
bering him among its mild and candid supporters
/, is Still stranger, that this attack should have
been made by nne who is numbered among inc
alumni OF the very institution, against when Ms
blows are now so nOblu and bOLdly aimed.
The first attack made upon the University q
Virginia, was made several years since by the Il
Wing, Immediately after the appearance OF seve'
raj talented young men who had received lheli
education there, and who at once took prominen
stands among the friends OF Democracy. An ar
licle then appeared, not, lis true, speaking hafsh'
" Of the University, but urging objections 10 Inc
course pursued BIZ the Professor of Political
Economy. The writer 10 whom | allude, enter
tanned strange views respecting the doctrines EN-
braced by Say and Adam Smith, and virtually
''save il as his opinion" that "THiS fathers
should keep lromlhe hands OF their children books
which were only calculated TO give them Ideas VI
lerly al variance with the Wing creed. Willis
the Wing party advocated high duties. and a iet
tered the political economist would ST,
unrestrained, and the people seeklns
where they wished for markets for their produce
As Say aud Smith were both dead, and remained
thoroughly convinced Of the correctness OF ,heir
doctrines during their lives-the error into which
they fell, could, in The estimation Of this gifted
writer, only be obvialed BY The neglect Of their
works b. The rising generation.
In this article, ii | mistake not, we have the
first exhibition of dislike upon The part OF the
gia. Tracing, as | intend, 'the rise and progress"
Of his wrath, permit me to ask il party feeling,
and not a rcgald for the welfare Of the University,
did not lu,k at The bottom OF The article 10 which
| allude?
The text books Of the Professor of Political
Economy were the most approved; the Professor
himself a highly gifted and warm Wing; bu'
The principles inculcated were in direct opposl-
ton 10 those Of the Federal Wing party. The
Editor Of The Wing, d warm partizan, objected
10 the works studied. Why They contained
truths, that none have ever di>proved; but those
truths were as unpleasant as those OF Mr.. New
ton, 10 The Editor OF The Wing; therefore, there
must be some change. This, then, was The first
cause Of complaint.
Passing BY several attacks OF not much imror-
lance, We find The Editor of the Wing, aftertreat-
ing the Rourd of Ilsilo,s and the University with
such M0ried c~oaTicSu, eSertins himself 10 procure
the appointment of al Secretario" 10 the Chair OF
Modern Languages. The recommendations OF
this wOrthp gentleman have not been made public
and his peculiar qualifications for such a respon-
sible office must yet be announced, Ivy some other
organ than The Wing, unless his former patrons,
when a sch0Oi-maaa, IN BedlO1d, will vouch Tor
his ailainments: his letters to The Wing are The
only specimens OF his leaning with which The
people oil Virginia arc familiar; and even his
waIneSt admirers will not urge his claims upon
that score. .I1idncss, sobriety, and eood temper
are the primary recommendations OF a Professor,
and the notorious letters OIL Secretario" abound
with striking illustrations OF his mildness and good
temper. 1t has been commended Ly The opponents
Of The University, that the Board OF Visitors were
prominent politicians, and strange 10 say. the Edi-
Tor Of The Richmond Wing would sanction the APP
poiniIncnl Of a Professor who is even a more ra-
bid. uncompromising Wing than hin sell.
The selection of the Board Of Visitors was
displeasing To the Editor OF the Wing, and again
The foodgates Of his ''wralh" were opened upon
the Board Of Visitors. the University, and upon
the talented and able Professor of Modern Lam
guageS. Forgetting that a Democratic as well as
a Wing applicant had heen rejected, charges of
every kind were preferred against the Board or
Visitors. The righteousness Of the appointment
none can doubt. The present incumbent is a
gentleman who has, by his admirable system Of
instruction, given satisfaction 10 all; and the most
thorough refulalion of The arguments OF The
Wing against him, can be found in the members
of his difieren, classes, every one Of whom bears
testimony in his favor. What dignity could the
University have reccivcd-what improvement
conld have been made, bv the appointment of one
who would have left Washington and its polili-
cal excitement. to ASSUME the authority OF The
ProlcsSor2 Were the talents Of I'll Secrctario'
S%uperiori 10 those Of the present Professor OF Mo
dcln Languages? Would the vocation OF hired let
tcr.wrirer 10 the political papers Of The land,
have increased either his qualifications or dig
nily? Was il not better 10 have selected
one, whose whole lie had been devoted 10
the study Of the language, and who brought
with him The highest testimonials from The best
scholars of the day, than one whose friends were
politicians, and they, it must he presumed, had
neglected. their literary pursuits? Was the cleo
ton Of The professor of Modern Languages sutfi-
cicnt 10 have excited The Indignation OF the Editor
Of the Whisl He defended his position BY assert
ing, thai, the Professors had usually been foreign.
er.; and when We consider The intention oitie ioun-
der Of The University, he could not BY any posi-
bic means have brought onward Il more powerful
argument against himself; for, the founder OF
The University evinced, in all his efforts, a desire
for good and suitable qualifications, and if they
could be found with foreigners, they were 10 BE-
preferred 10 others.
For this reason, the first Professors were To-
reisners-and their profound learning and great
amiability gave 10 the University the reputation,
which il so Justly deserved, and which it has
since 50 nobly sustained. The mos, talented men
of whom The University can boast. were foreign
erS. Every father, in sending his son 10 an insti-
tuition OF learning, doe, not ask whether The Pro-
iessoIs are from his own Stale, or from another
bu, the only enquiry is respecting their ability and
The citizens Of the State may he compelled 10
purchase (iroln the present state Of %affairsl indii-
terent goods of home fabrication, because they
are shut ont from the markets Of the world; vel,
the introduction of the same ideas respecting The
use of teachers would be rather objectionable
And since The Tariff of lSi2 omitted laying any
tax upon foreign worth and learning, perhaps The
Editor Of the Wing would supply The deficiency
BY exerling his own influence against foreign
teachers. Like the Dutchman, he would trudge
through the mud Of an old road, sooner than
avail himself Of the skill of a McAdam, or he
would employ an Indifferent teacher, provided he
was 4 Virginian, sooner than 4 man OF talents,
who was moi. He is a friend of Virginia. and
would gladly see education disseminated: YET, 10
do so, he would employ those who were incompe-
tent 10 give Instruction. A partisan should re-
ceive a proicssurship on account OF his political
services, which would be as rational as making a
clergyman a general officer, because he was an
and pious man.
Since the Wing has recently shown so much
antipathy 10 the University, and its correspon-
denis have undertaken TO discuss The merits of
the Board of Visitors, in a manner that would
render their productions suitable for "Punch's
Column alone, We can ask whether The ohjec-
tons raised 10 the University have been valid;
and, whether they were sufficient TO induce any
father 10 believe that The University of Virginia
was not a suitable place, to which he might Send
a son 10 receive a finished education. !
The two principal objections have been
Isl. That the text books Of the Rdiessor OF
Political Economy were not suitable 10 the youth
of Virginia.
ID. That the Board Of. Visitors should have
appointed a virginian to fin III chair of Modern
7 anonaupS