Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-31

aeooh W krAah cuACNntut Nuat - ~
possible ~tampering with H. Butt am spinning this lie,
ter beyond the limits Of reasonable length, and will ty &
conclude with a Few brief remarks on some points tina
struck me "a deserving consideration. How far they ma
be practicable, is another question.
A most important part of the machinery ofthe Institut
Is the Board of Visitors. Unlike tho one appointed an
nually 70 visit our National Military School. and whose func
tons are only inqusitorial and recommendation, tn
former Is governmental, and acts as a supervisory power
This feature makes IL Of vital Importance to the Institute
that the greatest care should be taken in the selection q
the Board. IL is 10 be hoped that the Institute like on
National Military School, will always be looked on Asth,
child of the State, and here at least the influence of part
politics will never be felt. Thus far, Il IL gratifying 4
know that nothing Of the kind has been seen within I'll,
walls of the Institute, and that the Boards have futile,
their duties with a single eve to its objects and inter ssts
and in a manner rejecting the highest credit on their care
fulness aud sagacity. Still, in view of what may happier
in the chances Of party excitement, II might give NOR,
confidence to the whole State in the action of the Boar,
were the selections made irrespective OF party con
nection. On one point, however, there can be but it'll,
question, and that is, that the Board ought to be selected
alone from among men eminent for their scientific OF
literary attainments; men well known Throughout, tn,
state Tor 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 State in the deci-
SONS OF Boards thus constituted cannot be too highly esti
mated.
Ii was a happy idea, in the organization Of the Insti-
tute TO make provision by the State for the nearly gratuit-
Gus instruction ola certain number Of youth, whose pecu-
mary resources were inadequate to meet the expenses OF
such an education, and TO relieve them finally Of the
burthen of what might otherwise have looked like an
elemosynsry foundation, by coupling it with the condi.
uon that they should forego all Offers OF private advance
ment during two years after their graduation, and devote
this time To the business of instruction. The wisdom Of
this provision is felt in a two fold operation. Within the
institute 1t places the State cadet side by side with the paw
cadet on terms of perfect equality. IL brings the honora.
Die and meritorious into competition with wealth,
station, and influence, in the academic honor with the
prize before them inscribed detur disniori, and the Ger.
talnty that 1t will be awarded as inscribed. Without il is
perneating the mass Of the people with sound instruction
through thoroughly taught teachers; and il b~anishing the
ignorant and pretcntious pcdagogues, who, in too many
cases, have diSgraced their vocation, ad retarded i'm
provement. Nothing should be left undone to gather all
the fruits from this fertile germ, and it has seemed to me
that a broader field for selection, and a more rigid system
OF Termination into the merits of this class OF applicants,
might be safely tried and would meet with public favor
u should he laid down as a principle, that, "in the insti
tuition Of State Cadets, the object was not to educate the
poor A. such, but TO foster talent when found in a position
requiring such all as the State here furnishes for is devel.
opnent This at once %deprives this provision of a fra-
lure perhaps the most distasteful to the American mind
tue eieulosynafy one. To carry this principle into prac
tee, let some central spot in each grand division Of the
state he designated where an examination shall be held
annually br one or more examiners appointed by the
Board OF Visitors, OF all persons who shall present them
selves with the prescribed conditions of applicants. Let
a carefully prepared report of these examinations be for.
"arded TO the Board Of Visitors at their annual meeting,
stating Character, talents, requirements, &c, of the candi.
dates; and let the Board select one from amongst the three
highest on each list for the vacant position in the Institute.
rms plan strikes me a. perfectly feasible considering the
"uhoeF VI graduates nov IN the States, who would doubtless
acSePt ms duty OF examiners with allcrity aud who, out
81 regard to the reputation of their Alma Mater. would
1hrough her protect the interests of the State by inne1ible
justice IN their decisions. There is no good reason in fact
WY TINS system should not bo made TO apply also TO the
pay cadets; and should it be carried out, il will give the
Institute advantages possessed by no ether institution in the
country, and in time make it to Virginia, what the Poly
technic School has been so long to Franco and in fact TO
the world, prinesDs inter principes.
But, alter all, having done all this, how shall they be
'ausht without a teacher: This class must be men OF tai
sn' men OF nigh attAinments, and men OF sterling charae,
Ter. NO narrow minded State or sectional views should
enter into the selection Of these men. Mr.. Jeaerson's
views on this point, with regard to the University, were
wise, OUT carried too Tar. With but rare exceptions, foreign
,rs 10 not readily enter into the American mind aud when
brought TO work with US, cooperate with difficulty. This
more particularly true of College bred men. They cannot
throw oil, and can with difficulty conceal a certain degree
u contempt Tor American attainment and c~apnbility. Hence
they have seldom been successful when placed in the
chairs OF our Colleges. / would not sy exclue all such,
Out l would say admit with extreme precaution. But |
would go no farther than this. would throw every va
cAht proi's7orship open 70 the competition Of the whole
country, and would invite this competition; and the man
"ho best met the prescribed requirements should have it,
irrespective OF any other consideration. Ii will be found.
l oeNe'e, as great mistake here, las it has been seen
even in the Polytechnic in France,l TO conhne such an
monuments 10 alumni who have never been separated
rom the school l Will be found, / firmly believe, as
INCORPORATING TO the mental system as breeding in and in
i known TO be TO the physical. independently Of this.
you commence by combining your selections 10 the limits
o' 'e state; impercePibly these become narrowed
"AaA AA AHt OblOu feature oil
a mere clique, a close borough. With this exclusive poli.
cy, l would also discard the niEglrdly one that has too long
Isssraced an conditions with US, that OF remunerating
teachers and treating them ~ the lowest class ofhirelings.
None but men OF the first talents should be called to your
chairs, aud you should command such by A wise and 1.-The.
'al treatment Aud that such men, when so placed,
should leel secure, / would have them displaced only upon
'pccihc charges, openly prosecuted before a LEGALLY con
stituted tribunal for such purposcz.
The Military Institute, | was gratifed to find, has won
strongly upon the confidence and good will of the people
throughout Inc state. Nuulugfal n : II - baa, III -
on principles OF strict impirtillity, aud we'll Considered
n'HtiFy restraint, 1t must retain these feelings and speed.
ny become the ionding OF the people. 1t is in truth
noble foundation, evincing the wisdom of your pub
lie councils, not simply for its military character. hut
Tor is effects as a merely literary aud scientific school
10 ht youth for a civil career, its merits cannot be
TO IJrrlby insisted upon. \ an instrument in the for
matiOn Of private character, ~ throwing ont yearly into
The community, a large class of law abiding and order
loving meu-men who have been taught selfcontrol in
the smallest as in the greatest things is value IN the
Commonwealth i iucalcuablc. A. q part of the military
I organization Of the State, there j. nothing by which il
could bs replaced, having a 1.-THE OF its efficiency. From
w. ihcre issue every yea men every way capable ~oforgin.
N"g- uhning and lF5hmg the forces Of tue State, and
who, should danger threaten, would present her in the
held with reIiaDIr, ur-pyunr,i ,1,-rTs, it-.--l e . ser;
military rahble, having slight confidence in themselves
ma lee in their leaders. The parade ground Of the In
-il'iie could, IN u moment, be converted into a camp nj
instruction for Officers Of the militia, should any exigcn
~ require il, from which they could be speedily sent 10 theii
MONIES ~ least knowing s%omcthing they could impart To
w. 'HA \ iH NIHUlNE Out iuii letter To an uuCOu
7ciouaJln length, aud yet lmust close il without speaking
again OF the Superintendent Col ,. II. Snytb. Ills nam,
ana merits, ~ connected with the lu~tlntc, arc too wei
Known Tor inc TO hope to add anything more To them thai
w' feeble testimony TO the prc-cmnent ability he ha
SHOWN IN il organization and subsequent administration
Fortunate b. the Commonwealth which, having citizens q
slrh special ENDORSEMENTS, can secure them for their np
prnptiate sphcrcs OfacuOn. When such men are sough
ihr, they are but too rarely found; they are not placed an
-'me arc misplaced. When found, nothing should be lei
nni"ue 10 secure their services to the State, and tc prulOn
tle period OF their uaeiulnc71, by lightning In every posi-
br say, the heavy hurthen Of care aud responsibility tina
must in my case rest upon them. Col. Smith j. not onl
an honor, hut a bcncitct0r TO the Old Dominion: not onl
q son 10 be prouud Of, but TO hc grateful to. Let tho-
who guide her councils look to II that the stigma Of X,
public - luqrthfudS -.rtst not uuon her. Ly NEGLECT
one whose nholc cr,frics sud extraordinary giits a,
-'I'y 'ront in her service. n. II. VI.
SJurH-SrDg EAILRoAn.-As this u a work in which bot
our city and the State hss a deep interest, we think il 10,
auHs7 ~ report is progress from time tn time both NJ
regards it, construction and IL business. We have a "a
t'riug account 10 give Oft 10 day. SOmc ~ or ~ oru
piers Of the High Bridge, We learn, are finished, aud all Ill
rest are rapidly going up. Three spans Of the supcr.tuu
. HUFp DF fhU friNrn 4a r.MN. Er a.. Ill. "a. ii