Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-08-20
Professor Mnhan's Letter.
CONCLUDED


II IL also frequent urged, TINT the most
brilliant and highly gifted men in class are
the least observant of discipline and are con.
sequen'ly found near The foot Oft OWING 10
this. Suppose il 10 be true. maj ,b.nf I.
'na ,'h'e u ""'' OUT ,.,rmium % aens abus-
e"' ~ SIG |" ed".aie men o be useful Citizens,
OF I" i"S'er brilliant rregu'arityl Blu there
II no assertion less founded in fact so far as
me experience ot the TWO schools in question
goes. The best scholars are. " it'll rare cx
ceplions. nso the most orderly and attentive TO
dry. A moments reflection shows this must
he So. II may be safely averred. that for eve
ry single man whose college career has been
one at lawlessness, and who has succeeded in
his after career thousands can he produced of
the opposite class. Whai is this but the work
ing Of n natural law; one tina, is no less true,
than hit n blighted grainn somerms. GERM
mating and hearing irus. is bur an exception
OF the general law, that sound grain is alone 10
be relied opon7 But IL is needless To multi
ply arguments in support OF n proposition
VIII. h. 10 every reh' cling mind il sell evident.
The discipline OF the Institute. as secured by
lis system of drmeriI u a, ks is the sheet anchor
of i's usefulness. Take this from it, aud il
could not maintain its present high standing a
would have it so hedged about bv Legislative
enactment that there could be no possible tam.
pering with it. But am spinning this letter
beyond the limits of reasonable length. and
will try to conclude Nth few brief remarks
OF some points that struck me as deserving
consideration How far they msy be practice
BILE. is another question.
mos, Important part of the machinery of
the Institute il the Board of Visitors. Unlike
the one appointed annually to visit our Ma
nonal Military School. aud whose functions
are only inquisiorial and recommends tory. the
former is governmental, and acs as a supervi.
sorry power. This feature makes it OF vital
importance to the Institute that the greatest
care should DO taken in the selection of the
Board. Ii Is TO be hoped that the Institute
like our National Military School will always
he looked on as the child of the State, aud
here at least the influence of party politics will
never ne iet. Thus far, il is gratifying TO
know that nothing of the kind has been seen
within the walls of the Institute. and that the
| Boards have fulfilled their duties " ih a single
eye 10 It's objects and interests and in man
ner rejecting the highest credit on tfer care
lulness and sagacity. Still. in view of what
may happen in the chances Of party excite
ment. II might give more confidence TO the
whole Stale in the action of the Board, were
the selections made irrespective Of party con
neclion. On one point, however. there can be
but little question, ard that is, that the Board
ought to be selected alone from among men
eminent for their scientific or literary attain
ments; men we'll known throughout the State
for sterling integrity and high moral worth
The moral effect on the cadets, from being
brought INTO contact with men of this stamp,
and the confidence which Could not but be
felt throughout the Stale in the decisions OF
Boards thus Constituted canno, be too highly
estimated.
II was happy idea, in the organization OF
= the Institute to make provision by the State
' for the nearly graiuitous instruction Of Ger
tain number of youth. hose prcuuiary resour
s ces were inadequate To meet the expenses o
a such an education, and to relieve them fnall,
Y Of the burthen Of what might otherwise have