Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-09-02
r,,rrRsITY OF VIRGINIA.

MessfS. E,rn and Henry College. will be pre-.
lon,ci TO the Board Of Visitors OF 'he on'reisnS ="
TTrgiuia. at their next meeting, IL tiat ot a p'.t,,
person tn fill tue char OF Greek ho" 'N'"'' >"
desire to present his claims TO the pubic p"'"
from a regard for that gentleman persnhaly II q"
abiding interes, in the welfare al MY AIM Mater.
l hold it TO be Il truisn, that lie mas 'n' ".m II a..
nee; Of success in any calling, to whose na'ural u
ness and original qualification, there nave peeI -
.d that facility of action, that habitui" ol eA1'",'n'
aud that practical acquaintance WIN tneo's "n. , ~u
tail which constitute what Is designated ny ''c .o"
experience, and result from the constant anu - >"
umrsr;, nr !, particular vocation. The proofs Oh "
mans ability TO make a successful teacheF' " "
found in the Hypothetical opinions OF partlal HenuSss
INT in the actual and tangible evidences W fD nhn,
cation, as manifested by the preparation VI r. Inc
have been entrusted TO his professional chre' :;
ha. succeeded III making accomplished Scho'"'s, - -"
because he possesses the intellect and attainment 10
uuisite fr the work, and his subsequent ca'cei -. n =,
tie a fortunate Oh" us q mhtter nl Io'cHs'' !, ,
I,rtion of such u msu for II professional p"S''i"n' % :"
.,unrau,ee in itself tlius all The duties incl1en' W "
situation will be performed faithfully, ~ :.
aud lunnrably to all Interested III 'hc 50. h,jo,
duces the matter 10 al absolite certa'n'!' -,
all doubt and apprehension, h"d secures '"I 80"
m,s, .rdar,I, 5.s;r.d ny every friend OF tile inslltu'
lion with which h. is associated. Whist on Tue otuel
hand, the appointment ot an uh'r'o" ina",
practical knowledge of his business ~" ." atn;,
ence to guide and direct hun; WIN " a,
SPREAD about INN OH tNt'N Wv 4, -.
hist ,yh.r.np unilinr definite rr positive CAL oe P'e'
Dictated, and from which the most SERIOUS evils na'
result. p,,.r. ,oss.ssad
ua,ursIIy q sufficient amount Of mental power II au'
70" "H W )" i",,ah,r,n.,t essential 10 high scholarship,
,bn, his d.vn,i,n 10 the study OF the Languages nus
h.ru such Ms TO secure thai ih''''io'o ""' wi
kuowledrs of them requisite Tor one VINO proposes ~
mnC,IJ ,inrir mysteries, and that his career as a tcach,
u -, .'., m mI;,.n,Iv surcessiui, then it follows, that
b, Is, "a ma Oersuli, III every aiANAH"' ~, Wv
DISTINGUISHED position to which he asplreS' FROM
boyhood Mr.. Peters eTinced great ''S'l an" pro
cocity of intellect. AT scho"! he was "niio"' "
c,mnettor or an equal. lie awakened tne
,r;ds oud admiration ui all his teaclicrs. II"
..ut.red college " icn most boys are only oeSlli'"S
their classical studies. and bore "l the nlgne't W.
mr., Of the Institution in Il class re'lhrRao'e VI 's
ability and assiduity. The ancient languages were
hi, si,r;r,,;nr aud his fort from hs earliest YEAR,,
and o. a means Of accomplishing himself moIe iui'y
in them, he devoted himself TO Inc t",k 0 'e"e"i m
for some time after his graduation. WtCh ne oe'
lieved himself properly grouiIneu 'i w" ""I 49,.
tal principles, be repaired to the Ch'Ee'sny, IL pe'
cams member of DIR. llarrison's class. mere lie
was in his element. for III. study OF the c!''s'irs '"
"a labor o fluve' 20 him, md the rich stores oil know
ledge unlocked by the teachings "' HE c"I''c ~
/ ssnr were appropriated by Mr.. Peters, nii treasured
with fidelity um! delight. After Il most successful
and honorable caree. nj the University, hn accepted
tie Prulcssurship OF Ancient Languages III Etno'y
and Henry College, ami has continued III 'n"' FoS'
ton up Ia the present tame.
II !. i,nuns.ii,l- in this cunnexinn to do justice to
the manner in which his duties as a teacher have cecn
per.urlnrd--but the most ample anu Satisfactory e'F
deuc.. on the subject will be presented To Inc Board.
Ii is sufficient Ia say, that le mas gwen " c'i"'"I'ci
TO TINT Institution which RENDERS II IN honor ANA an
ornament; TO Inc State-that he has improved the mt.
thud of instruction an! elevated III" standard oi
graduation 10 u degree that reflects the highest crru't
on himself and the college; that copies ot the papers
,,f his graduating classes have been forwarded tn The
,....I ;,inyui.bl1 sphniHTS at tlrniulH, WHO nave Ill
expressed their surprise aud delight al the attainment
Exhibited thereby, aud that he has sent students %
In. University who have exhibited a proficiency III
the languages unsurpassed by that Of any Initrlcu-
late of that celebrated school. one Of them ACTUALLY
entering college after the intermediate examinations,
and graduating with distinction IN June. mus II Is evil
dent not only that Professor Peters possesses the ability
and attainment demanded by this high position, but
that he has that practical acquaintance with lhr dl'
ties of q Professor which ensures success, ana Justi-
tits his appointment 10 the vacant char.
Mr.. Peters is comparatively a young man, and that
may be urged against him by soine. Even II THIS 90
lection we're not met ana Gn. Sered iuIy by Tie inct
that h. mas already succeeded g. Il teacher, il could
easily be shown 10 be futile and uDsGDstan,ial in It.
self. That the world is just III attr;bu,i:s iE!isore'
ton anu inmaturity OF intellectual character to
youth, cannot be- denied when consId:red As a general
rule. 1t is certainly true that u majority OF young
men do not POSSESS the qualities aud qunIiti-
cations necessary for stations OF great trus, and re-
sp"usi5iiity. No one will dispute that years should
bring with them ;ha; mastery over passion, that de-
Ot Judgment, that supremacy ot reason,
and that mental vIgor and moral culture which rem.
der aye honorable in itself aud worthy the respect
and admiration ui n."u. But experience demonstrates
that this rule i no, ~intai.t1lc IN lis operation that
these results 10 not follow ~ t matter "f i"c"ss::.',
nn'i thar Z condition 81 ii!iags tHt!criT Upp">''': lhd
contradictory not unireuucu;!y presents Ii.rI. III this
Youth often mriiies:s qaaIltie, and ca ;
pnui!iii.s which put maturity I" the blush whist
with many the SHOWS Of !Iies winner descend h:i"Fc n
single lrFsnl, of lrGIh has been learned or the slightest
progress made in HE ways OF wisdom. And In ihusc
VINO, by the Spl"ndur oil their genius, their noble ana
eicvating ambition, their devotion 10 letters, and their
high moral firtituie aud courage, have overcome
the obstacles which besr. the p.!h os youth, resisted
the fascinations whereby others have been lured 10
destruction, and become the muster rniids within
their respective spheres, the world has ever dtii:Et"i
to offer lis homage aud 10 award It's i:onors. History,
from the days OF Alexander to the era u Napoleon,
abounds in glowing pictures Of the deeds OF youthful
heroes. Letters, Science and the Arts have all felt
tn. inriyorating power, the regenerallhS inhNieilce,the
electric stimulus oi piecociou5 genus. Ana II the
past he the page by winch to read the future the
world ia vet to find among The noblest champions of
civilization and progress, those whose souls are glow
ing with the enthusiasm OF early manhood, and whose
intullec:s have not r. quired tie sloT processes .; time
for their development.
There are SOME qualities which are peculiarly tho at.
tributes of the young. Energy is Il nnturH! ekh.lstIon
from the blood which Gse has not chilled action -
the ready s!ave nl y0u;h-sioth its lmp!acabi" enemy
-procrastlnatiOn lis necessary antipOde. lis spirit Is
restless and inpatient. The present never satisfies
bu, satiaies. There is always q brighter future be.
fore it some new good to he attained: some fresh
chiinera 10 be realized. Motion is the law, which
must be obeyed, whether progres- or retrosressIoii he
the result. Elevate Il young man OF aohily AiIu am
bilioR to q responsible position, and IN obedience 10
this necessary and imperative principle of humku
nature he must rise t. emiuence and excellence. lie
will la Dor 10 extend his reputation aud to vindicate
the Judgment of those to whom he owes his position.
L -., a.. -I' n"t 80 l.ttlv. -. utIT. llI tsllII a I,.sfl-
ny which rebounds to his own honor and The glory OF
the Institution of which he is q member.
No better illustration OF the truth OF these views
can be presented than that which is furnished by the
University herself. She has appreciated The plan Ut
tlevating her young lren 10 responsible posi-
tons, and she can nov point to her Harrison,
her Cabell, her Minor, her Davif END her smith
and, in the language of the Roman lnateon, exclaim,
"these are my jewels She has discovered what
youth and energy can accomplish, and stands com
United TO the very policy which | would invoke in be-
half of the worthy gentleman of whose claims | am
the humble advocate.
Politics affect every thing in this county, to some
ex,.nt. They are like the wave starting from the
centre of the poul and wishing into every nunk aud
recess of the shore. Nothing is too high for them 10
sweep over, and nothing too low for them TO sweep
up. The excitement of to-day carries men into ono
extreme of error, whilst The Reaction of 10 morrow
pluugcs them into mistakes Of HI opposite, out equally
objectionable character. Thus the ln"rdlnate sympa-
thy elected for foreigners, may produce evils rs per.
niciOus 10 the State as the unreasonable persecution
of Them. There may be too great q disposition TO
look abroad for al! that is excellent aud amiable.-
|, is possible to place too high an estimate on the
merits and att8innents of those vino coa,e from be-
vund the sea, or who have been educated there
rco little respect may be manifested for our
own institutions, and the qualifications Of our own
men. Ii is necessary to guard against these errors, in
order TO mete out evcn-kanded iusiiee 70 every aspi-
rant Tor place and preterment. The !i.;S shoa!d be
omen 10 all-tlle rivalry honest aud equal-the decl'
sion Just and equiiubIe-but, at the sumo time, it
should he borne in mind that this is not only an Ainc.
rican, bu, a Southern Institution, designed 10 pro.
mulgate correct principles in regard to those rights AMI
N .itutiuns in WHICH our own people are particularly
interested, and that Virginia can produce men equa'
10 any emergency, aud interior in no iespect 10 those
of the most favored land under Heaven.