Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-14
For the Spectator.
The CnlIepe.

Tut tN6 OpeCtu"'
The College.
The last Spectator" contained the proceed
ings of public meeting held at the Court House
on Saturday, the 18th inst, the object of which
was to concert measures for the establishment OF
o College in Staunton.
1t is generally conceded, | believe, that this
enterprise contemplates and embraces the re-
moval of Roanoke College" from Salem to the
metropolis of Augusta and that the institution
will continue under the cantrol and management
of that highly respectable denomination Of Chris.
tiaus who derive their distinctive appellation
from the "Great Reformer."
This institution, Roanoke College," had its
birth in this county, and few years ago, it
'fedn its small flock of Students with the classic
lore OF ancient Greece and Rome, upon the
bleak and barren 'hills" that diversity the face
of the country around the residence of Squire
Mailman. But in search of richer pastures and
a more congenial cline its friends and patrons
removed it to the fertile valley of the beautiful
Roanoke. Why it is now, in its Joyous youth,
to be transpaned to this citY of the hills" is left
to conjecture, the proceedings of the meeting
referred to giving no information on this subject.
Perhaps it is because its "heart untravel'd fond
ly turns" to this its "native land'
1t is not my intention in this brief communi-
cation to expatiate upon the advantages of col
legiate education; they are too well known and
too highly appreciate by the good people OF
both town and country to need the advocacy of
my feeble pen. only design to point out few
circumstances that indicate Staunton as the
proper locality for such an institution. That
college ought to be located at Stanton is
proposition so self evident that to argue in its
behalf seems almost q work of supererogation.-
will, however, endeavor to present few con-
siderations in its favour, even at the risk OF be-
ing charged with engaging in that useless work
of carrying Goals to Newcastle"
In the first place its topography eminently fits
it for seat of learning. Its hills all rise in
pyramidal shape, and pointing to the stars thus
naturally inspire the people who dwell among
them with ennobling and eleyating sentiments.
Young men educated amid such surroundings of
natural beauty as adorn and diversity this ''cen-
trail part" of the county OF Augusta must neces-
sarily have their thoughts, like the everlasting
hills" directed heavenwards. 1t will require
no argument to prove that everything debaslng
or groveling will be excluded from the pure
minds of unsophisticated youth, who "lmoloe"
knowledge at perennial fountains bubliDg up a.
md scenery ever pointing to the "blue etherl-
al vault" The beautiful hills that rise on every
hand, though SILENT will be none the less faithful
and emphatic monitors to thepaths OF virtue and
rectitude In their "speechless" grandeur they
will never cease to teach to the students the I'M
portant lesson that the "hand that made them
is divine" In the second place, | refer to the
remoteness of this county from all educational
institutions Of high character and their diff
Guilty of access, as rendering it indispensable to
the proper training of her sons that college
should be built up at the base of mount "Olym-
pus." q take the liberty Of naming the beautl-
fully wooded eminence that will overlook the
classic walls of the college that is to beg. l.,
therefore, repeat that nothing could more clearly
demonstrate the educational necessity tor col
ege at Stanton, than the fact that 1t requires
too aohole hours, of sixty minutes each, and the
passage through four tunnels to reach the uni
versity" of the State. And again, the Military
Institute" and washington College" in add
ton to being located in Lexington, are at the
immense distance of thirty.six miles from Staun-
ton, the latter eighteen of which have to be
| travelled in stage, over q road rough enough
to Jolt the Greek out of the head ola Thucydides
or Xenophon. 1t would therefore be useless
piece of cruelty to harrow up the sensibiliies OF
the public by depicting the fate OF q candidate
for the "Freshman class" after being driven
through "North river gap" by Willard, in
rickety coach.
I When these facts are remembered the number OF
highly educated citizens the county appears al
most miraculous. Tie obstacles they have been
compelled to overcome in the pursuit of knowl-
edge" reflects the highest credit upon their en-
ergy and perseverance, and strkingly illustrates
the estimate they place on college larnin."
: But brighter day is about to dawn upon
this good old county. At the base of "O ympns
overlooking "Helicon's" crystal fountain, and
near the "freight Depot" an institution is tc
arise with the briancy OF q "Drummond light,
before the genial rays of whose warmth and
brightness the clouds of ignorance will melt a
way, like the morning mists before the rising
glores of the great luminary that rules the
day"
: Another consideration in favor of the estab
lishment e this college is the deep interest fell
in the undertaking by the citizens of both towr
and county, as exhibited at the large and ear
est meeting of Saturday the numbers of which
| shall not undertake to state, lest my veracity
might be called in question; but some approx
5 nation may be made to proper estimate OF it
magnitude, from the fact that one day was no
sufficient to give expression to the enthusiasm o
the people, and the meeting was compelled Il
adjourn over to q future occasion. One mor'
reason and am done, at least for the present.
The well known snd enlightened libeIality of th'
people of Ibis county, especially in endowing ant
sustaining literary institutions combined will
their present financial prosperity, induced BY
"easy times" fine crops high prices and low tax
es will readily secure the two hundred thousant
or three hundred thousand dollars necessary t
, endow and establish on firm basis "irs
class" college. FRANK FRINGE.
Dec 10th 1858.