Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-01-15
COMM NICATIONS.
troR THE sPEcrAroR.l
TO VIM. RUFF. ESQ.
AQYor Of SiQuti0n.

Mayor 81 Sdunton.
SiR.-As some curiosity is manifested about
me In this community, and as may stay some
time, it may be well enough just to follow my
friend DR.. Franklin's example with his Yankee
hostess--to tell at once, who | am, where came
from, what my business is. and where am going.
P0pIlorun is the name Of very extensive iami-
ly OF whom am but one. The radical Popuius
found very early application TO my illustrious
ancestry, and always supposed 1t was OF divine
origin, derived Immediately from the verb used
by the Creator in his address 10 first parents
translated in our language multiply. "Be fruit
ful and multiply, and repenish the earth.'-Gen.
/: %. However this may be, every classical
scholar will readily recur to sour family" which
fourished greatly among the Romans as well as
the Greeks. The name is properly an iniensitice,
implying honor and power. linus PopuH is of
ssour ianily," but of less dignity, lower grade
in power, intellectual, moral or physical. Thus,
when Horace would represent the highest accom-
plishment Of his hero, he says "Regnavit Popu-
loruu,."-This is an intensitve. 1t is much
more than if he had said, "Regnavt Regum."
The escutcheons of heradry preserve me-
mortal. 1t consists of heart held in AN open
hand, surmouned by head, with heel latent,
an active siapence and Lion dormant. The in
depreciation of these emblems has always been
regarded as exceedingly plain, and the tout
ensens6lc as graphic of 'our family" character.
My arrival in any community generally produ-
ces considerable sensation, particularly among
ohce-SeekeIs, ofice-hoders, clqucs, demagopues,
conspra,ors, and all who have The disbursement
OF public moneys or the exercise of public trusts.
My lodgings are in the cottages of the poor where
true hospitality reigns. Yet am not unknown
in the palaces of the great. frequent the abodes
OF industry, and linger about the halls of Justice.
My wakeul eye is over the cottage of the widow
and orphan, and l am swift witness against
those who seek !her hurt. / prompt the watch
at Philips ear, hold the sword which tyrants
dread, anu terror TO evil doors, and a praise to
them that do well. l cannot doubt sir that
shall be heartily welcomed.by the warm hearts
and hard hands of this Helvetic population where
propose to linger and how you do, and
therefore seek to enrol my name as a citizen in
the Office oil your Honor. liz Caesar enquire for
me, tell him will meet him at the des OF March ::
Tarqunus with his vrtuous victim Catalina, IL,
coetu Popuiorun, where all our family congrepate.
The first things which take the attention of
traveller, after he is comfortably lodged in one of
your very excellent Hotels, are the State Institu-
lions. Here is munifcence displayed worthy
Oh Inc ancient commonwealth of Virginia, and
worthy OF a comparison with the celebrated nub.
lie works OF my ilusirous ancestors of Rome i'm
her proudest days-with this difference i'm our fa-
Vor howeVer-Iheso are public charities for the
unfortunate oil our race. have turned my close
attention to these proud monuments of our glory.
and admire the spirit which originated and has
30 literally sustained them, and also the taste and
architectural talent and mechanical skill every
where displayed in their constructions as well as
their adaptation TO the designed. They an
pear to be organized wisely, and their internal ar.
rangenents conducted with remarkable enerpy
and success. find a whisper of dissatisfaction,
however, that, In some respects, they are made
10 suoserve private or party ends. Whether this
has any foundation in fact | do not pretend to
know and am willing TO doubt, yet it unfortunate
~ happens that while their Boards are construct
ed OF high-minded and honorable men, there is
an overwhelming majority of a particular class.
say this is unfortunate, especially i'm d commu-
nifty where 1t would be very easy to have il other
wise.
Jealousy of its public servants is characteristic
Of Republican governments and is an indomtabIe
characteristic OF sour family" / have no hest
talon in saying that the objection made to the
organization OF these Boards is lust one, howey-
er limited the evil may be found in the hands of
those who ere here obnoxious to the charge.
Public institutions, being the property of the
whole public, should be so organized as never to
render them liable to become the engines of par
~, especially of religious party. This may usu-
ally be done ny the construction of such a Direc-
tory as VIII always place it in the power, OF
make 1t the interest, of two parties TO unite "a
galnst third as check TO all party purposes.
In the views now given | speak but common
sentiment, and suggest general remedy, and do
not expect to be adjudged a party man, in an
attempt to neutraliZe party.
But II Is just TO say that whatever evils NAV
exist In theory or in fact, touching our Public In
slitutlons, he must be party man, who is not
prepared to yield his appreciation to the manner
In which they are made TO promote the good OF
their respective inmates. | have attended exam
inations of the Blind here, and wondered at the
ingenuity of man to substitute touch for sight
10 educate the digltal nerves aS almost TO pro-
duce sight in the ends of the fingers The men
tai discipline and energy displayed i'm these ex-
amlnatlons speak eloquenty for the system, and
The character of the Teachers, while the neatness
and order OF these sghtess youths testified that
household supervision was sleepless and mi
mute. have attended the public examinations
oi the Deal and Dumb. A faithful education
was evident there also, not only mental, but mo-
raj and religious. Better Teachers, better or
ganiza'ion perhaps, is net enjoyed in any insii-
tutIons OF the kind In country or i'm any coun-
try. The dumb speak, the deaf hear, the blind
see, the understanding, dark and inaccessible by
The common means Of instruction, is brought to
inc Illuminated page of divine revelation, and
made TO know Christ and Him crucifed, whom
to know is life eternal | rejoice to know tha,
these Interesting schools are soon TO be accommo-
dated In the ample and commodious buildino
now nearly completed.
he commentators bestowed on these two in
stltutlcns may be passed, without abatement. to
the Hospital for the Insane. Its entire internal
arrangements are creditabie TO those in charpe.
and The relief it brings to human SUFFERING and
calamity should be reported and borne on record
20 every benevolent heart which has in any way
contributed TO lay its foundations or sustain lis
action. From all these sources, moral lessons or
varied and inestlmable value are brought 10 bear
on this community. 1t is a privilege to anv com
munlty to have the poor and unfortunate always
with them. IL awakeDs sympathy, inspires orati-
tude, and kindles spirit eli benevoence, This.
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