Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-10-15
ADMIR- AEI.E ADDRESSES.

We have before address delivered before The tera
ry Societies Of .he University Of Virginia, on the in o
July 1850 by John Tyler ESQ., and published ri the request
Of the three Societies. also address oi Judge John "
Irockcnbrough laying the cornerstone o! the new Bar
racks Of the Virginia Military Institute July an lsoo nne
published by order of the Roa!d of Visitors These pro-
dpc,ions are worthy of the ability and high reputation Of
their distinguished authors.
Mr. TYLER unveils the stirring incidents in the early hsto
~ OF Virginia. whose glorious act nsnctng her delegates
70 declare Independence was productive of important con-
sequences at time, and tho precursor OF that great
act the Declaration Of independence by the United Colo
nies With masters hand, he describes the eycnu! past
Of Virginia and points the high destiny which the future
has in store for her.
Judge Brockcnbrogh unfods in fervont and classical Ian
sage the rich benefits flow from the Institute, "a tenpie
OF educaon whittier tho INDECENT youth OF our State may
repair without money and without price, TO nave 'heir
minds mbucd with the principles OF science and their hearts
oned TO the practice of pey and virtue" His address
reohes Throughout, spirit Of patriotism and shews the nc
complshsd scholar, and the able far-secing statesman
We hone hereafter make few extracts from each oi
these excellent addresses.
We have already promised our readers taste oil very
fine Grafton delivered the commencement oi the kich-
mond College, BY eloquent young townsnar John How
ard ESQ That pledge better fulfil than now,
Il, prepare an organic system that shall provide for the in
md innroyement of the State II he doubt
sd tbo more liberal sp will be infused into our systcm
md that the exercise OF the important powers will be
thrown directly into the hands of the people, For this
mighty md responsible privilege the voters should be pre-
pared to act nteigeny and wiscly-cducaon should be
universally duscd the surest guarantee OF success
How this is be best accomplished We leave II 70 'e
Constitution and law makers TO decide The importance
of such provision under the new condition oil the innre
Mr. H. shows in strong and eloquent language The fol-
,ownp extract presents of the considerations which he
has developed in his able and thrilling address;
Bu gentlemen the political issues, both State and Fede-
20, which in future nre be submitted TO the decision OF
he nconle of Virginia. must increase both in number and
marnitude the ot the State nnd the Union are
developed and municipal relations the relations oc
ween citizen and citizen the relations between the States
;,divdually between the States and the Federal Govern
mcnt and between the Federal Government and me various
powers Of the world become more delicate copcaeu, nu
nerous and important Hence the daily growing demand
or general and superior intelligence among the masses
whose voice must decide the fate of those issues
Again. gentlemen, by the proposed changes IN ne 80 Cons
ethe members of both branches OF the Legislature as al
presen the Governor the Judges the Attorney General the
Military Officers of the State the sheris IerSs, Cons.a
bes-n officers in ne legislative, judicial and executive
non the proper qualifications the capacity the hdey and
integrity of these men, much higher degree than at pre-
SENT will depend the fair and enlightened administration o.
s,icc the preservation Of the dearest rights and interests oil
nersons and property throughout Virginia Superior
education is needed to fit those public fnnctlonaries
for tho efficient and honorable fu6lmen of their hume
rous duties. and universal education Is TO eao
people TO choose wisely from among the thousahu cui
dates for their suages those men 10 wn9se naus ,i IA
dpsnies shall be committed. When single poe may ae
eide the adoption or rejection Of measure which VIII aec'
Tho interests the honor and the glory not only OF virginia
but of the Union forever when single vote may aeciao .e
oecon of tho highest State and Federal Ocers may DE-
fat wise experienced and faithful rulers and lnnict upon
the country the foolish and the fa,hless may give you
smpeton for Legislator an extorioher ior o,a "a ds
Mt or Governor or President; when one vote may de-
royo such misfortune ncton and disgrace upon te
and the Uniun-and every man shall nave snch w
unsneakably great the importance that every man sa DC
6ty qualified for the discharge Of greata tIst-t every
man who wiclds responsible power sha nav ~. e
Gated mind the cultivated intellect ana Virtue " "ieu ~
power wisely and well .,,-, o,d
But what gentlemen good lava, and what nEa sp9a
officers without that sound moral and ensn'enso ,h
sentiment which is every where requisite 10 ohoIIc .
laws and sustain the officers in their administrator ana eH
cuton Where all law is but the conventional expression
OF the public will, public opinion must govern me
a,ion md execution of tho law 81 understand by noic
onnion," SAYS Dr. Lieber, OF South Carolina en"eral-
~ one of the prooundcs political philosophers oil . o'
nerhans any other country ~ understand by pubic opno
the sense and sentiment of the community neee'SarHy @
sisti5ls slo1ing its sorsrsig Torer ereryhers ~ - '
public opinion which gives sense 10 the letter anu me ~
law: without il tho written law is a more hisk Napu'e.
on who had felt wha he described called pubic ophin 'a
"inyisble mysterious power which nothing can rcss'
higher authority STILL who spoke from experience eHca'
"a S:J r,J.,i ,.ces sus ur5ribus In our country, gem
emn this power can scarcely any longer be called ener
invisible or mysterious. Public opinion empnaeaIy Inc
mner l., i'm psrio or rather is sovereignty itse ma-
ng ils manifestations in various forms indeed yet nnii.
cd universal omnipotcnt in its sway No Jury VIII con
denim man in America In accordance win an u'pop"
law Itis difficult indeed condemn popular man IN ac-
cordance with any law however wise Just But an
lar man. whatever be the equity of his cams or the pLy
his innocence much than he who IS angry wu ..'
brother without cause shall DO in danger OF The judgment
The popular tide but 100 frequently breaks down me par
es of the law and rolls in waves of blood over e
cour, Of the United S,ates-le highest tribunal known
our aws-it has been truly said by De Tocqueve ney
are the apowsrfu guardians Of people which respects