Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-23
Virginia Military Institute.

We have had on hand for some tina, the last
Annual Report of the Boaid of Visitors of this
valuable Institution. We take pleasure in laying
before the reader a synopsis of the Report, and
ask for it general attention.
The public is, no doubt, we'll aware that, with
but small amount of aid from the State, not lar
ger than the sum formerly paid to the Arsenal
Guard, Military School has been firmly esta.
blished, and, despite OF all the discouragements
BY which It was surrounded at its CONNIE nee ment
has surmouned every difficulty, and is now "a
pidy advancing in its brilliant and useful career
We do not know Of any Institution IN this or
any other State, which presents higher claims up
on the people and the Legislature Of Virginia The
opportunities which It affords for obtaining solid
education, are no where excelled. II NAV be safe.
ly said of every young man who graduates at that
School, that he has been a laborous student, that
he is thoroughly instructed in the important
branches which are there taught that he is a practi.
calman, and has form ID prompt and systematic ha.
bits which will he as i'm )ortant to him in after life
as al. the Learning which he has acquired The ca.
gerness with which the academies and other
schools Of the State have employed as teach.
ers the graduates Of the Institute, shews the
high estimation in which the public hold this
excellent Institution, while the valuable seryi
ces which its graduates have already rendered to
the cause Of education, prove how deserving i,
is OF the confidence which is repOsed in it
by the State, and how well entitled 10 h ute
encouragement and liberal course of policy from
the Commonwealth.
For the exalted emnenco which the Institute
l.. -. h. a, =
small measure, 20 the thorough and well trained
scholar and soldier whom the State has placed II
lis head. No better selection could have been
made for its Superintendent, as its history
has fully proved, than th.t Of Col. Smith.
A nan OF science an apt instructor, fall Of srdor
in the cause in which no has embarked strictly
Conscientious in guarding the interest. Of the
s ato, Of the most nd InitlbIo energy, Vrgini,
owes 10 bis untring efforts much Of tbs success,
this noble ,hOol. To the other Pro!essors, VI /.
Preston, one Of ,no most elegant scholars Of tb.
Commonwealth, aus Capt. Williamson, = gallant
and accomplished officer, tribute " gratitude
md honor is a'so due.
The paternal care, aud watchrul guardianship
exercised over tbs morals and habits oftha cadets.
- no less earnest and systematic than that be.
slowed upon their studies. the result Of this has
been shown IN the uniformly quiet and decorous
department ol these young men-Of whom, we
venture 10 say, tnat from first 10 last no class
Of citizens, has ever had reason 90 CON-
plain. The tribute paid by Dr. Plumer al
the las, Education Convention, 10 the care
bestowed in religious instruction, was emf.
nently deserved, while. hs Professors being men
OF various shades Of religious belief, every thing
OF a sectadan tendency Is studious'y avoided
W. trust that the nett Legislature will enable
this valuable and unp5eteBding School 10 extend
its means Of usefulness. We hope too 20 see
its numbers greatly increased. Let It be Pa-
ced in a condition TO receive tvo or three hun
died cadets and to spread into every nook and
corner Of the Commonwealth the inestimable
benefits u . SUBSTANTIAL aud practical education