The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-03-31
Correspondence Richmond Wing ]
Hampden Sidney College.

civil war
Prior to the war, and during its progress,
the trustees, with view to raise perma-
nent endowment, obtained subscriptions to the
amount of 100000. This fund was invested
in stocks which persisted in the war. Thus
the finances Of the institution have BEEN left |
in rather an embarrassed condition, and it
now needs all the aid its friends eau extend
to it, to place it on solid foundation, and
enlarge the sphere of its usefulness.
Hampden Sidney was originally establish
cd as an academy, under the auspices Of Rev
John Blair Smith, an eminent Presbyterian
divine. Peter Johnston, the grandfather of
Gen. Joseph r. Johnston, gave 100 acres of
land towards its endowment. In 1888 it was
chartered by the General Assembly, as a col
lege, and among the original corporators will
be found the names of Rev. John Blair
Smith, Patrick Henry, William Cabell, Sem,
Paul Darlington, James Madison, and sever
al of the Venables, Meadcs, Watkins, and
Mortons.
For the greater part of century this in
stitution has beer a subject of just pride to
Virginia, and especially to that portion of it
known as the South side. Few colleges have
turned out from its halls larger number Of
distinguished alumni, or done more to ad
vance theintcrests and honor of the Common
wealth.
In the hour of her distress this venerable
alma meter appeals to her children for as
sistance, and it is hoped the appeal will not
be in vain.
Heretofore this college has received no sup
port whatever from the Treasury of the
State. It has been compelled to work its
own way, unchecred and unaided by the pat
ronage of the Commonwealth while institu-
tions in other parts of the State have been
literally provided for, by direct appropria-
tons from the treasury and by private mu-
nifccnce, this solitary representative and
seminary of letters On the south side Of
James river, has been left to struggle for ex-
istence.
The only endowment which it now possess
! es is 200 acres of land, on which the college
is situated and $71 900 invested in Virginia
| State stocks.
The buildings are Of brick, spacious and
we'll arranged. Two or three hundred stu
dents could readily be accommodated in and
around the college. The faculty consists of FIVE
learned and accomplished professors. The
situation of the college is en- an elevated pla-
teau, perfectly heaithful, in moral and re-
| ligious community, remote from any town,
and free from all those influences which too
often distract the attention and injure the
morals Of youth.
The cost Of living at Hamdcn Sidney is
probably less than at any other college in the
State
These facts prove that this college is quite
as much entitled to the favor of the Legsla-
ture as any other.
She now presents herself before the Gen
eral Assembly as an applicant for portion
of the land scrip granted by the United
States to Virginia for educational purposes
The Governor in his message suggests that
one half of the 800, 900 acres of land scrip
be given to the school for the education of
colored youths, and the other half to the
University Of Virginia; the fund in both
cases, to be applied to instruction in those
branches connected with agriculture.
The general idea Of the Governor is cor
rect, but we respectfully differ from him in
details. It is right that the colored people
should have their fair proportion of the fund.
This proportion would be about one-third, as
they constitute, in round numbers, one third
of the entire population Of the State. Let
them, therefore, have one-third Of the fund.
In regard to the disposition of the other two
thirds, we also differ from the Governor. In
our judgment, one-third ought to be given to
the Southside country, and the remaining
third to the Northside. As for the Univer-
sity, it already has splendid agricultural
endowment, independently of its annuity from
the State Mr.. Miller of Lynchburg be-
qucathcd to it 100000, and Mr.. Johnston of
| Augusta devised lands, &C., which will prob
ably yield from $4,000 to $4,000 more.
Both these requests are to be devoted to ag-
ricultural instruction. The University is,
therefore, amply provided for in this depart
ment.
Hampden Sidney seems to have strong
re communications for the endowment intend
ted for the Southside It's geographical loca-
ton, in the heart Of the tobacco region, at a
point readily accessible by railroad from all
quarters, is cogent argument in its favor.
Moreover, it has all the buildings and much
of the apparatus necessary put the school
into immediate and effective operation. This
college also owns tract of 200 acres of
laud adjacent to the school, which can at
once be dedicated as model farm. These
circumstances secure large saving of time
and money If the operations of the school
are to be delayed until new buildings can be
erected, year or moro of valuable time will
be lost. and if farm is to be bought large
amount Of the capital will be absorbed in the
purchase of land and erection Of buildings.
Every agricultural school ought to be es-
tablshed in connection with school for gen.
eral instruction. A man who intends to fol-
low agriculture as business will want to
study something else at the same time, and
should have the opportunity of doing So
The two schools will be mutual advantage
to each other. The agricultural student can
attend the lectures on other branches, and
the general student can learn something of
agriculture.
Hampden Sidney is now the only college
in operation on the South side Of James riv-
er, and as it possesses, in hi gh degree, all
the elements necessary to make it valuable
auxiliary to an agricultural school, there
seems to be peculiar propriety in establish
ing one of the agricultural schools in con
nection with it.
With the aid that will thus be afforded to
IL this venerable school will soon Phnnix