Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-07-02
The Exercises At the University


We understand that the recent Commencement at
the University was of the most agreeable that
has come OIL there for several years
On Wednesday Mr. Baldwin Of this city, made an
address before the Literary Societies Of the Univer
sity, which ~e hear replete with psthos and hu
NOR of the highest order
On Thursday the annual GRAFTON before the Alum
nj was delivered by the Rev. John A. Broadus
whose accomplishments scholar and general
ability have placed him in the very front rank of the
Young men of Virginia. The address the sub
ject of Education, and listened to with marked
attention The speaker attempted to present to his
audience the educational influences, under which n
Young Athenian, in the time Of Pericles would be
reared Vie referred 10 the arithmetic the geometry,
the literature, the music. the philosophy, &C., which
would constitute the staple Of such education, aud
drew the inference that the educational provisions of
that day. as eyide need blythe extraordinary re-
suits. have been surpassed in any othe- era
The object Of this reproduction Of the educational
process of that day, was for the purpose OF
practical suggestions with regard to education in the
State. The speaker spoke with much emphasis OF
the horoughnessin each particular department which
the limited range Of knowledge would nduce in these
early days. And he deprecated warmly any dispo-
son to Didcn rather than deepen the channels of
education.
The conclusion of the address seemed intended rs
criticism a recent article in the Literary Mes
senger, and the speech delivered at the University
some years ago by Prof Holcombe. Ii defended DIR.
Harrison against what the speaker conceived TO be
the spirit OF those productions.
The question between these parties refers IN The
proper 'node Of teaching the ancient languages -
Mr.. Br5adus insisted strendously grounding the
pupil thoroughly in the pathology Of language lie
conceived the other gentleman, IS understand. to
insist too prominently the point of creating and
fostering, under such instruction, classical asfc
One class of gentlemen say that DR. Harrison teaches
merely philology, and that he should contribute
something more towards fostering taste for the
classical literature. Another class (and we believe
the smaller one) contend that the main and primary
object is met by Dr-H.'s system and that if the H.
terature of the ancents is not much attended to at
the University, 1t is because all the time afforded is
taken up with what is of more paramount mpor-
tance
We have simply space to say this much: We do
not very clearly the point which these gentle
men would differ, unless it be this, to whether
there is not time at the University for something
than instruction in the mere anatomy of Ian.
guage?
The article in the Messenger, as it seems to us
and we imagine Mr. Hacombe has no objections to
make to thOrOughness Of pathological aud critical
training in the languages There is nothing in that
article indicating at all any disposition to lower the
standards OH this point; and Mr. Holcombe explained
understand, in the meeting of the Alumni that
he had never for moment entertained such an idea
The question then is shall nothing be done towards
presenting the young min the literature of these
subjects Is not this the very way TO learn the
languages In learning to read aud to appreciats
the classics, you made to understand the Ian
guages in the very best senseY is not this the way
that every great cassicaschoar has learned the an
cient languages Is il not the method of Germany
and England? Was not Milton, and johnson, and
Coleridge, and Arnold, and De Quincy, taught in
this mannery
The dinner Of the Alumni OF Friday, at the Parish
house, we hear brilliant Holcombe, Tucker.
81. RI Minor, Baldwin, Bledsoe, &C. made, we nm.
derstand, capital speeches The greatest enthusiasm
prevailed, and those Alumni who absented them
selves lost the occasion Of most agreeable reunion
Our readers have already been made fully acqian.
ted with the circumstances attending the execution
of Cora and Casey by the Vigilance Committee Of
San Francisco We do not remember, among the
events Of the present century. anything remarka-
ole as the recent CoalererseneHt we Use the French
term for the want Of an English Synonym ia the nu.
have indeed placed the governments Of cities before
this, for a brief period in the hands Of mob but to
oligarchy Of three thousand men, selfappoint.
ed and therefore altogether Irresponsible regulating
the concerns Of large city for weeks, and what is
more, maintaining therein order and TRANQUILITY
previously unknown, is something extraordinary
San Francisco. MS our readers know, has popuIa-
ton OF an exceedingly miscellaneous and excitable
character. Every possible disturbing element enters
into the economy oe the city Yet not only under
the rule Of the Vigilance Committee was the execu
ton Of Cora and Casey conducted with the most
perfect order but the rights o. private property we're
never so secure during the prevalence Of the most
intense excitement hst has been witnessed even
an that land Of stirring and tragical events Such
facts speak well for the moral purpose Of the yigi-
lance COMMITTEES. They would seem TO show that
the men composing il were animated with deter
Innation 10 maintain quiet and guard the public safe
~, even while Tesortng to the very worst stems bv
winch those ends Ars ever 10 be secured-the sub
yersal OF all rightfu and Legitimate authority
~ a distance 50 remote from the scane Of action
we cannot undertake 10 pronounce upon the coodnc,
Of the Vigilance Committee er oafhedrg. Irnon ,ho
face Of the matter, should surely say that tbsv
were wrong since only the last extremity can svcr
justify thu setting aside Of the law. How far the
assassination Of Richardson and King would mplv
such crisis we cannot Of course determine W.,
are willing 20 believe that they have been animated
by Che best motives but the erection Of so cumbrous
and mysterious tribunal A. the Vigilance Commit
re Of 5000. Is q hazardous experiment "Sothng
80 difKculf .. beginning" says Lord Byron, lex.
cept rhaps the cud and IL u The end Of all this
that W. 'OOA to With serious spPrebeOsiOps. Men