The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-04
A Good Amendment.

We learn that at their meeting In Wash
ing;on city yesterday the trustees OF the
PEAsoDY Fund unanimously elected the
Hon. J. L. NJ. CURRY, OF this city, to be
General Agent Of that Fund, in place OF
Rev. BARNAs SEARS, recently deceased.
Tie whole southern public will unite in
pronouncing the appointment one eminent
ly IL 10 be made. There is not one quaIit-
cation for the place which DR.. CURRY does
not possess. He is really remarkable
mana genius, il you will. AT The
bar, in the pulpit, in the Senate
chamber, on the hastings, or wherever
else he may be placed, be always proves
himself to be king OF men. We first met
him in 1856, when be was returning from
the National Democratic Convention Of that
year, which was held in Cincinnati. That
was almost twenty-five years ago. And yet
although Or. CURRY looks to be still young
man, be was then a distinguished member
of Congress from ALABAMA, and had been
pointed out by HORACE GREELEY AS one OF
the ablest, il not the ablest, OF the states
men OF the South.
Or. CURRY brings TO the discharge OF the
duties Of his new position an acquaintance
with the men ana places aud Institutions OF
his field of labor Qhe southern States which
will. in one respect at least, qualify him
better than bis predecessor was qualified for
the position. He has, too, the confidence OF
all men who know him well. whether they
be white or black, Republicans or Demo-
cra.., or reside north or south OF the Poto-
mae. He has learning, experience as a
teqoher, sound judgment, social position, a
persuasive speech, engaging manners, and
whatever else would aid him in administer
Ing properly the great trust committed to
his hands. In a word, he Is thoroughly
equipped for the work before him.
We bave said that DR.. CURRY was q
southern Democrat before the war. Since
the war he has been remarkably conserya'
tive IN his views and his utierances, so far as
national politics were concerned. Though
true TO tue South, he is not less true 10 the
Union. There is DothiDg in his record
which would to any Republican render bin
objectionable as the administrator of tbt
PEABODY Fund.
IL may be well to say that DR.. SEARS sew
eral years ago, in anticipation of his own
death, named DIR. CURRY 10 the Hon. R0
BERT G. WINTHROP, chairman, and others oil
the trustees, and, With their approval, held
freauenl consultations with him about hi
plans and purposes. and thus prepared hin
10 take up the work easily and carry u fer
ward according to the same general ideas.
We sincerely congratulate the whole coun
try upon this appointment. Its one which
the Board OF Trustees will never regre. hay
ing made.
70 the general satisfaction at this ap
polniment there lis one exception. Tn
trustees, faculty, students, friends, and sup
po,ters u Richmond College Will be yer.
sorry 10 lose DIR. CURRY from bis professor
ship. and will lind II hard indeed 10 ill tb
large place which he has occupied in ths
institution; but as he will still, we pre-
sumo, reside 10 the city, the College will u
doubt continue to enjoy the bepedts OF hi
devoted interest and wise counsels.
Summoned by telegraph, DIR. CURRY lei
90 the p. ii. train yesterday for Washing
ton. where be will remain day or two [
\ have full consultation with the trustee.
We baye taken 1t for granted that he WI
Z not hesitate to accept an appointment W hic
will be 80 congepial to bis tastes aud habit,
and will furnish so mauy opportunities 10
fur,hering all the best interests OF the Who'll
South.