Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-09
FUT nc CHYHV'
FEMALE SENIS

Messrs. Editors:-We were much interested in
reading in your paper few weeks ago, the speech
| OF Joseph S7gar, Esq on bHhaif OF loan from the
State Literary rund to The Cnesapsske Female Col
ege. With ali due resrec. to the sage Legislators OF
| the General Assembly OF Virginia. are unable To
why they refused to make q loGn Dhich would
contribute 80 much TO the cause of educati"E when
| its payment could be guaranteed by security the
! most satisfactory and unqu.sonabe Judging from
their past action in such matters, should be led
to inter, that it part Of The creed OF our wIst
| Lawmakers 10 withhold 81! public aid from Female
Seninaries of learnirg-whiie lacy liberal enough
in their sppropr tons for the education o. the other
Ore fact is we'll known, that gvers! petitions
have been made by Female Institutions fo- pecu.
mary MD, in the shape of leans, ETC. which have been
rejected hy large IN. ioriti-s. while numerous dona
ti"ns have bsen ma!e 10 male schools and cnlegrs-
VITA: il the cause IF this difference in public favGr
Can our profound legislators suppose. that because
women form TO part Of the body polite, they have
&c claim upon the public generosity! Or do they
suppose hst thu education OF wnnan has no relation
TO Inc vel he;ns Of society and The support OF good
government? We hardly consent 70 believe, that
our worthy representatives. eiertHn such sentiments
YET If these scis are juat eSpsne!t Of their opin
IONS know of no other rsRsonR hCt COLD induce
them to pursue ,hs course which has always been
adopted by thsn, in refusing TO give any pecunasy
encouragement TO Fernsle Seminaries
IL may be alleged that our immense public debt
which bruo's Tx. an irrUua the finances OF the
State, La, tettered public ben,hrence towards many
objects which otherwise would have received alten
ton and support But this does not affect State
generosity to m.le schools. II va. but The ohe. dsv
that the Legislature votet mn appropriation Of S"5 QUO
for tie nett four years 20 the nversy If Virgins,
AZ time wkcn hat institution Was never in q more
prosperous and Gaerng condition This is SUN far
greater, too than has been given TO that or any
other Institution heretofore.
II may be shid that the UniveIst:y Of Virginia ard
the Military Institute at Lexington, tovsrd1 which
the liberay of the State has been chiefly displayed,
are State institutions; and consequence ought to
be fnsiered by liberal appropriations from the State
treasury. W. grant il, but We ask. has the State
withhold its aid from all other institutions Have
not Emory aud Henry College, the Richmond M-di
cal School the Winchester Medical School, and other
male institutions been te objects Of State bera!ity
Why, then. refuse 10 grant loan single cent out
OF the public treasuary tn Female Colleges and High
Schools because they not State Institutions =
Even had the Legislature bestowed i!s aid entirely
upon State Institutions, would like tn enquire,
wing i does not t8ke come Fensls Institution under
ts sheterng wiug, and make that, il ha, made
Univ"rti tire itsi school Of is kind in our land .
Ia it beneath the dignity, does il transcend the
limits Of legislative acton, 10 consult for the co.
ciaI advsnc. ment and well being Of woman-
In this enlightened day, when she Eslts mightier
power than any other social agency, II you'd be
supe uons to eIpsfiae UPON the extent and force Of
her Influence. We all know and feel it, Derbarians
AID heatEens may make her their mnion and trample
her rshtr and honor in the DUST but in this favored
land Illuminated by all The lights of science art and
religion, none but p-ofaDe hand would wrest from
her that gentle sway wh:ci lI The noble and good 40
willingly acknos Wedge. In honoriSs women we only
honor ourselves, aud in e!evsting and strengthening
her Influence We but strengthen and s.e7cts
public opinion. which upholds and sustain govern /
ment. LET government then educate women, |
and train her Tor those high du.iss which whan pro-
perry exercised WI r,sr" De- children rus patriots
and good citizens. which ~!.' ra,ry lo great heart
of society. and make it hr"h III ;:....,,: al. .r own
l.u>:GSt