8763. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Text books.—
In most public seminaries textbooks
are prescribed to each of the several
schools, as the norma docendi in that school;
and this is generally done by authority of the
trustees. I should not propose this generally
in our University, because I believe none of us
are so much at the heights of science in the
several branches, as to undertake this, and
therefore that it will be better left to the professors
until occasion of interference shall be
given. But there is one branch in which we are
the best judges, in which heresies may be
taught, of so interesting a character to our own
State and to the United States, as to make it a
duty in us to lay down the principles which are
to be taught. It is that of government. Mr.
Gilmer being withdrawn, we know not who his
successor may be. He may be a Richmond
lawyer, or one of that school of quondam federalism,
now consolidation. It is our duty to
guard against such principles being disseminated
among our youth, and the diffusion of that
poison, by a previous prescription of the texts
to be followed in their discourses.—
To——. Washington ed. vii, 397.
(M.
1825)
