Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-01-18
NO. v.
Fer the Spectator.
The CnIIape Again.


The College Again.
Messrs Editors: had the pleasure OF attend
ing the meeting OF the friends of our college en-.
terprise, on Saturday, the 9Th. 1t was happy
thought to select the anniversary of Gen. jack
sons great victory at New Orleans as the day
for assembling the friends OF cause that must
be potential in perpetuating political institutions
in the practical working of which the great hero
exercised SO marked an influence.
Notwithstanding the intense cold-the tber-
mometer being way down below the freezing
point-there were present during the meeting
| forty.two persons, including the boys-they D.
mounting to at least one.third OF the Whole num-
ber: and doubtless there were among them some
"Villsge Hampdens" and ''mute inglorlous MIL
tons" whose nascent genius and latent soiiitles,
drawn out and enlarged, invigorated and emo
bled, refined and chastened under the plastic IL
huence of our College, at some future time,
9Th applause of listening Senates shall command
Col. Baylor presided, and briefly stated the
object of the meeting. Both OF the distinguish
ed and eloquent gentlemen from whom address
es were expected, were on the ground mean
in the the Court House-ready to enchan and
and delight the audience but as there were
few vacant seats-you know the building IS
large and not easily filled-and as enthusiasm
cannot be instilled into, nor money drawn from,
"empty benches" they declined casting the
"pearls" of their erudition where there were
none to gather them into the garners OF thel.
memories, or "lay up and ponder in their hearts
the lessons of wisdom as they fell from their ups.
They therefore made no formal addresses, Dus
offered as joint production resolution re-
ouesting the Chairman to appoint Committee,
which, in connecting with the already author
| lied agent of Roanoke College, should at once
proceed to get the money-if they can. In sup
port of this resolution Mr.. Shetfey was called up,
who feeling deep interest in the education OF
bows, proceeded to advocate its adoption in
speech of some length,
"Baited with reasons not unplausible"
During the course of his remarks he TOOK oc-
cason to make allusion,
"In we'll placed words Of glozing courtesy"
TO the efforts of your correspondent in behalf OF
this enterprise. | was much gratiied, l assure
YOU, Messrs. Editors, at finding the effuslon OF
nv humble pen so highly appreciated by one
no less distinguished for an elegant and classic
taste, than for an effective and popular oratory.
Mr.. Breeze Johnson likewise lent the inhu-
ence of his name and character tothe enterprise,
in few pointed aud appropriate words, ana the
friends of this undertaking may conndeptiy eA-
peot from him even more substantial aid than
the influence of his ''words."
Whilst it is true that those present on the oc-
cason were not
GAS thick and numberless
AS the gay notes that people the Sun beams'
nor vet quite so numerous as the Importance OF
the object demanded, or we had reason to antic.
ipate, yet as it is only the second meeting, l
think we have just grounds for much encourage
ment The right spirit pervaded those who
were present. There was none OF that captious,
skeptical and catechetcal temper that SO Often
slnothers out incipient enthusiasm by casting
over it the swet blanket" OF impertinent sugges.
tions about the importance OF counting the eoss
of the undertaking before commencing it, and Is
ever ready with untimely enquiries for knowi-
edge of the places whence the money is 10
come" There were at this meeting no trouble
some demands for detailed estimates, clear state
ments, and definite and we'll considered plans;
these iron manaces that SO frequently tralnmel
the strong limbs of generous and uncalculating
public spirit, in no degree disturbed the harrno-
ny of this assemblage by their harsh dissonsnca
and rude clanking. All was smooth, placid and
unrufi]ed as "summer's sea-" No one asked
for information no one deemed it worth while
to give any. The presiding officer, however,
informed the meeting that it the county OF Au-
gusta would raise thirty thousand dollars, he
would for the sum of ten dollars "ensure the
college," Now as the financial ability OF thae
gentleman is unquestionable, and no one doubts
but that he can accomplish as much with thirty
thousand dollars as any other man, the people
will unhesitatingly come forward and without
farther enquiry or question count down the
"dimes," feeling assured that in due time the
College enterprise will be success.
!, however frankly confess that cannot SEQ
! how thirty thousand dollars can be made to ac-
compish at Staunton, what it requires several
hundred thousand to do elsewhere; but yet DO
not permit my inability to comprehend 1t, TO
create doubt in my mind as to the pracncaoil-
ity of the scheme And even if the thirty thou
sand dollars should prove totally inadequate TO
erect the buildings purchase the library, secure
the chemical and philosophical apparatus, and
furnish such an endowment as is necessary TO the
outfit of first class college, the money Will not
be thrown away or uselessly expended. For
that sum will at least suffice to purchase tho
grounds and lay broad and deep the foundations;
and in the event of nothing more being accom-
plshed, that alone will constitute an enduring
monument TO the public spirited lberality OF ths
people of the county, and teach to future gener.
ations the estimate placed upon classical ana SCI
entitc education by their foretathers.
heartily approve the suggestion thrown out by
Mr.. Imboden, viz: that we should have "rous-
ing" meeting on the 22nd of February. think
if that suggestion is carried out we may certain
ly calculate on being able lay the corner stone
on the fourth of July next. AS our College will
then be associated with the great victory at
New Orleans, with the birth day OF the Father
of bis Country, and with that OF the Declaration
. of Independence, it must inevitably become the
most popular as well as the most patriotic edu.
cational institution in the country. In view Oh
these facts propose that we call it the Jack
son, Jefferson, Washington College" and have
deeply engraven over the front entrance those
ever memorable words of the "Pater Patrla, . :.
. about raising STANDARD on tho mountains OF
Augusta &C." FRANK FRINGE
l.., 1