The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-09
Local Matters.


National Medical College, on Saturday last. we
to il at this time for the purpose of bringing
before our readers and especially the younger por-
ton of them the salutary lesson it inculcates.
President b. commenced by quoting the aphor-
ism that " circumstances make men," He said
that delighted to utter this seemingly oracular
saying, and that il daily adopted in newspaper
essays speeches, and conversation, and with such
complacent confidence that few ventured to gain
say it, Yet said he, it is untrue, and its very OPP
posite is truth. Men make or control the circum-
stances that affect their destiny and influence the
world. This so-called maxim Is but the apology
for ignorance and wilful imbeclity; and manifests
a lowly ambition and ingratitude to God for the
gifts and abilities with which he has endowed US.
The world is given To man for his inheritance, and
it is his mission to gather knowledge, to subdue
every impedment in his path toward the achieve
ment of honorable and useful purposes, and TO rise
continually in the scale of existence by persevering
and untring effort There is nothing needed but
the WILL the irrevocable resolution, the patient and
laborious prosecution of noble designs. The only
circumstances that can thwart the progress Of a
man in Just and good cause to be found in his
groveling desires, in the absence of high aspi-
rations and the fixed determinations Of which he is
capable.
The speaker alluded to the important, moral and
political revolutions in the history of the world,
with all their momentous results and asserted that
the agency of self sustaining, independent and
adventurous genius marked the development OF
each event. Such men not the creatures OF
the circumstances by which they were surrounded;
they the authors Of the condition Of things
around them. Whether for good for evil, such
was the power of individual man. Alexander con-
quered world that had not been subdued without
him Rome arh he nndn IF he ear
through the invincible will of her people. In mod
times, the energy of character displayed by
Napoleon brought him from comparative obscu
rity to rule direct, and go beyond the mighty po-
litcal revolution, that but for him might have
terminated in the dethronement OF single dynasty
and the restoration of peace to France.
Such is the influence of men of great resolves
upon the political destiny of the world. But it is
in the increase Of knowledge, in the culture of
mind, in moral improvement, and in the advance
ment of the arts and sciences, that the benefcent
influence Of the energy of human character may be
discerned in its more gratifying manifestations.
something called genius is accredited with these
performances but we have need to be grateful that
genius, or adequate ability, is seldom denied US.
Homer Demosthenes, Milton, Shakespeare, Pytha-
gorus and Archmedes, were new fountains Of
light and knowledge, marking the in which
they lived Why shall assert that they were
but the creatures of the accidental circumstances
surrounding thems The truth is manfestly the
reverse. Nor did genius give these men license to
live inertly and languidly await the development
of fortutous events. The foundation of their great
ness the ardent exercise of all the abilities they
possessed-the patient, laborious, self sacrificing
devotion Of their lives to the subjects they deemed
worthy their pursuit
In intoxicating this lesson of industry, self-reli
ance, and the realization of inherent power, the
speaker drew differences from many historical facts
adduced, prominent amongst which was his happy
alluson to the achievement of our national in
dependence and the glorious progress of our be-
loved country; and in earnest and persuasive Ian
guagc he brought home TO the judgment and feelings
of those whom he addressed the necessity of their
adopting such counsels he gave them, the
guide of their professional lives, and pursuing their
calling with the determination of men conscious Of
the Obligations resting upon them and of their duty
TO triumph every obstacle by their own severe,
steadfast and honorable exertions
We are happy in being able 70 state that this
| medical institution may now be considered to have
entered the highway to success. Every circum-
stance connected with it wears an suspicious ap-
pearance, and young men will henceforth
seldom seek abroad the instruction the National
Medical College is well calculated to afford. II
indeed presents striking instance OF the legit-
mate results of patient and honorable labor and we
trust its will fully realize the fondest hopes
of those whose patient labors in its darkest hours
we indebted for its present prosperity and the
bright prospects before it.
The CRY OF WAsHIsoToS.-The work of i'm
proving and extending city goes from year
to year with firm and steady pace; and as Prac-
teal commentary the alarms Of the times, it
-. rad hat in sir syla ina
that we have heard Of has the cry Of dissolution
been known to stay the hand of the architect, or
intimidate the capitalist in the prosecution Of any
contemplated work.
The advantages Of this city, as the capital OF the
nation, are many and important; but her future
success will GO beyond what these would seem to
indicate. Our climate is exceedingly healthy, the
most excellent water may be every where obtained,
the country around has begun TO develope its
prolific energies, and great canal is only now
about TO enter the magnificent coal region near
Cumberland. The progress of the last ten years
has been great but we look to the next with expec
tations far higher than the past would warrant, with
reference the works Of private enterprise, while
the growing requirements of the Government will
demand the most stupendous expenditure of the
public money for the erection and extension of pub
lie ediices.
10 the INDUSTRIOUS anu inc ptuoeht ueTe arc gnu
pacers Of pleasant and easy access than those
Of California.
SUDDEN DEArH.-Mary Broome, colored wo-
man, fifty five or sixty years old, fell in Twelfth
street. near New York avenue Saturday last,
and was carried home insensible where she died
within two three hours. Apoplexy is believed TO
have been the cause.
BAPTIzISo Five colored persons were immersed
in the Potomac, the Long Bridge, on Sunday
last, by a colored minister whose name we could
not learn.
A gentleman residing in Al street, south of Penn
sylvsnia avenue was, on Saturday night last,
noyed on HE way from the avenue TO his house by
party Of halfgrown boys; and as he entered his
door he received severe blow the side Of the
head from stone thrown by one Of them. That
neighborhood merits the special notice of the po-
lice.
SwoRD ExERcIsE.-The amateurs Of this art
-. AZ. n At