Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-02-14
4 Card.

have been surprised to learn that some hostility has
been excited TO the bill now before the Legislature making
Nm appropriation 10 the University, In consequence Of my
having taken part in the declarations Of q public meeting,
recently held by the citizens OF Albema!lc, to consider the
coalition OF the country. IL hS appeared. 10 Iuc that, a
statement which would correct any misrepresentation Of
facts, was alike due TO the University and TO myself.
II may not be improper to observe that have no
more personal interest in the passage OF this bill than the
members of the Legislature themselves. The money
which il gives woa!d no: he used TO increase my
salary or that OF my colleagues, but tu promote the COIN
fort, 20 preserve the health, and 10 enlarge the rduca-
,!onal opportunities OF the children OF tie:r constituents.
The defeat OF the bill would indeed I'LL my heart with
sorrow; but it would be L public, not Il private grief. !
should lament to see 50 un:i.nrly arrested that wise and
liberal expansion, by which our BOARD OF Visitors are seek
ing 10 render this great institution commensurate with the
advancing waits OF the community; but, l would only
mourn, In common with every friend OF education, over u
no; informed that any objection has been made 10 the mode
In which | have discharged the duties OF my Professorslip
of the University. ! eau only say that | have siudiousIy
sought In the discharge OF my delicate and difficult task, to
avoid both the spirit and the teachings OF par,izan, and
that, whilst maintaining my own opinions upon great coz
sti,u:ioual questions, / have no: aimed ut understanding my
clnss with my own views, but at supplying them, through
the medium Of textbooks and otherwise. with the means
Of forming intelligent and independent, judgements VI ,hslr
own, and Of thu, correcting any errors into which l might
fall My lecture room is always open; my pupils are IL be
found in utmost every county; and, although the different
desire Ia the Board of Visitors, Yet, there are now and ever
have been, gentlemen In that body whose opinions aud cha.
racter should give assurance TO all, that II there was reason
TO suspec, the prostitution Of any Chair IL the University TO
party purposes, the abuse should be Investigated, exposed
and corrected.
TN. address which has given immediate occasion to angry
feeling was delivered, not before The students Of the Uni
yersity, BIZ, the citizen. % .Al5e;aare; not 20 a Democratic
meeting, but 20 Il collection OF the people without dis;iuc-
ton OF party; not upon amy party Issues, bu: upon qucs-
iiou. Of SUCH overshalowiuS magnitude, that up TO the pc
Rod OF Its delivery there seemed 20 prevail II universal Je-
sire throughout the State, that all party lines should be Oh.
liberated in their consideration. My participation in the
proceedings OF The meeting was not Of my own seeking.
A distinguished Wing gentleman, Unexpectedly 10 myself,
publicly suggested TO the Chairman that / should be placed
upon q committee 10 report resolutions for its consideration.
This committee was composed Of Wings and Democrats;
during their absence In conference, The neetin. wes address
ed by aWhig and u Democrat, pEd, As soon us :hc resolutions
were read, l was called upon to Speak by gentleman OF 10th
parties. The speech was hardly finished. before It's publ
cation was requested In the Whiy newspaper OF our town;
and some OF the oldest and most prominent Wings Of the
county, expressed TO me personally their warm and un.
qualified appreciation OF it, sentiments. When l became IL
Professor Of the University. ! prescribed to myself, ASH
rule for the gove.rnnce " my conduct, 10 abstain from any
active agency in public meetings o! II purely party clIarGc-
ter, and no man can point To 4 solitary Instance IN which
have departed FROM It's observance. IL tue PROPER place. /
hope never 10 forget that / hold u public office, Which I'm
poses upon me an obligation OF preserving my feelings, my
opinions, and my Instructions US free as possible from the
bias and Influence OF party.
But l trust | may be permitted 10 remember that am IN.
vested with the privileges and responsibilities Of a citizen,
and that | may be allowed TO exercise, without fear or guys
tion, all the right and duties Of :ha. high character. when,
possession Of u freeman il put to peril. My stake In the
peace Of NY country, aud the stability Of her institutions is
rs large, and my desire 10 reconcile her alienatrd sections
and 10 perpetuale between them an equal and constitutional
Onion, Is as sincere as that OF any man who has taken ex.
ceptiou to NY conduct. The apprehension ! have express
ed, Is 10 the probable consequence Of Il timIi and iuiccl.
s;ve policy, were honestly entertained, and can only pray
that time may not y7Ddcate their justice, and :hat !, STEM
der rs is my hold upon life, may not out'hyc The consttiu-
tiun and the government Of my country" Whether the TT
terence OF my opinions in temperate and becoming language,
At u crisis like the present, needs any apology, or should
provoke any Ssn;n:s uron ms, or WI j"s'IE n,y assault;
confidently submit 10 the judgment Of Independent and hon.
oratle men. JAS. L. EOLCUIGE.