That institution is now qualified
to raise its youth to an order of science unequalled in any other State;
and this superiority will be the greater from the free range of mind
encouraged there, and the restraint imposed at other seminaries by the
shackles of a domineering hierarchy, and a bigoted adhesion to ancient
habits. Those now on the theatre of affairs will enjoy the ineffable
happiness of seeing themselves succeeded by sons of a grade of science
beyond their own ken. Our sister States will also be repairing to the
same fountains of instruction, will bring hither their genius to be
kindled at our fire, and will carry back the fraternal affections
which, nourished by the same alma mater, will knit us to them by the
indissoluble bonds of early personal friendships. The good Old Dominion,
the blessed mother of us all, will then raise her head with pride among
the nations, will present to them that splendor of genius which she
has ever possessed, but has too long suffered to rest uncultivated
and unknown, and will become a centre of ralliance to the States whose
youths she has instructed, and, as it were, adopted.
I claim some share in the merits of this great work of regeneration. My
whole labors, now for many years, have been devoted to it, and I stand
pledged to follow it up through the remnant of life remaining to me. And
what remuneration do I ask? Money from the treasury? Not a cent.
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