Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-23
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
To the Editors Of lie Enquirer:

MAY u, looO.
Messrs. Editors:-We learn from your paper thai
| there will be n meeting of the Board of Visitors OF
the University, on the 18th of this month when mar
ters OF great interest to the University will be con-
| sdered We know nothing positively in regard
the nature of the business that will he then brought
before them; but there is suh"ct to which w..
presume their attention will Of course be directed
and in reference to which we ask the privilege OF
| making few suggestions.
1t is now generally known that DR.. Gessner Iarr-
son, who, for sO long time, has hied the Chair o
| Ancient Languages with such eminent ability aud
success, confempiates leaving the University at the
clnse of the present session. 1t would be mntier
to be deeply lamsnted, that his learning and expert
ence should, under any circumstances be lost TO the
Inlversty but 1t is especially 10 be regretted that he
should he forced leave because he cannot longer
retain his position consistently with the claims Of his
family upon him. Now, the question we wish 10
PROFOUND 10 ;na Board ls Shall this be permitted!
Are they willing TO dispense with his services, with
the absolute certainty of placing in his Chair man
less competent, flor whatever hi, qualifications may
De, they must be far inferior 10 those vi the present
ncumbsnt) rather than raise his salary, to en-.
able MIN to make that provision for his family which
every honest and prudent man must naturally desire
! to inake2
We hold that DR.. Harrison hns claims upon the
State which cannot be dsresarded without the gross
| est ingratiude aud injustice. Wa think that man
who, tor twenty years. has labored so honest.
ly, successfully, and at such sacrifice, in the pub
lie service--who has contributed largely towards
| making the University what it is-lhe nobcst nstitu
tiun in the land and beyond comparison the best in
| the department over which he has preslded-such u
man, we say, whn, in word, has done more than any
other towards awaiting the character OF the scous
and the standard 81 scholarship throughout the State,
Is entitled now to something more than mere COM
potency, bare support for himself and family What
nducement is there for the scholars of our State ~
toll on, from year 10 year, in their professions, u!
when in tho prime Of iie and in the full tide OF then
usefulness they to be left struggle on without
the rewards due their services! The reputation which
attaches TO the name OF q man who has achieved
what DR.. Harrison has in the walks ot literature
must, indeed, be gratifying return for all the eXer-
tIons it has cost him. But this is not all that is due
Our State must accord something more than the bub
Bile reputation to its scholars ii il would have the
professorships in its colleges filled by men competent
TO meet the demands of the aye. We do not wish to
be understood proposing TO make sinecures OF The
prote3sorShips of the University. We only ask that
the salaries affixed to them may be- 10 some extent al
least commensurate with the duties and labors OF
those who fill them-may colnport with the dignity
OF the institution. and suffice To command and Retain
in its service the most flushed scholars and expe-
rienced instructors of whom the country can BOAST
If we would place those who pursue the walks OF
literature and science, on an equality with those who
follow the more practical professions. We mustPay
them for their labors, and give them valuable con-
siderstion for the time and money they must nr
cessarily expend in fitting Themselves for our SER
vice. Within few years past, one or two OF
| our most distinguished professors have resign.
ed, principally because uf the negligence aud
blindness of our State in this particular; and
unless would lose another. and the bert
and most deserving of them ali, we must not delay
to take such stops rs the case demands According
ideas of propriety ana of justice, it seein. NOT
little inconsistent that the Board should provide SO
carefully for the aud wishes of the hotel keep
ers connected with the University, (board has been
raised third in the last four years. while no cor
responding provision has been made tor the Pro!cs-
IL did nnt At
TO the same extent, in the in the other,
but WI see reason why those who provide for the
physical wants of the studentSand that most ind-
f.renty-shuuld be mode to grow rich, while those
whose high and responsible vocation 1t is 10 develop
! the mind of the State, should be allowed scarcely
enough, often not enough, TO meet current expenses.
So TAR, We have considered the subject chiefly III
the llght Of the fnct that ns matter OF simple justice
10 DR. Harrison, it he could be induced 10 stay, by
raising his salary it should be raised AMI without he-
station But apart from any considerations personal
to him, the State is still further Interested in retaining
him in his present position. All who know anything
uf his attanments amd qualifications teacher hIa
lecturer must feel assured that II would be inposs
ble to man capable disctargins thc dutlus q
the station with anything Ike the ability with whci
he has met them. lU all that constitutes genuine
scholar, Le now stands without a rva! as linguis
aud, have before rcmsrked the high and
viabe position TO which the University has attained
in TIE last lew years is attributable principally to his
.exertions in ts behalt. Tn. labUrous fidelity and
marssd ability with which he mas ever discharged
the duties Of his station, have won for him
the confidence aud admiration or all who have been
socated with him. and hnve gathered around his name
all influence and power for good which no one else
| now possesses and which few can ever hope to al.
tap He is still in the midst OF life 80 thar may
hope to have the hene6t of his teachings for many
years to come. Why, then, should he not be retain
ed at almost any COST Why iurego the advantages
Of his learning aud experience, aud run the risk OF
having his place filed by man who may prove
incompetent, or too young, or, for some rea.
sOl ID too often the case, altogether insult
cd for the placs We do hope that the mem
! bers of the Board will so arrange matters. thai
his fortunes may still be linked with those OF the in
=tiIulon OF which he has long been the pr9s, and
over whose interests he has watched visa such un'
ceasing diligence. The University U'.es none OF the
reputation II now enjoys TO let Us not be nstru
mental in pulling down ,se work that has been nc.
compshed by those 40 have gone before us. Around
il clustering: Inc hopes of many an ardent friend
OF learics. Let us see TO il, that no actln of our'
! shsl. mar its dawnng glories.. ALUMNUS.