Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-12

We have also organized our female patients
into sewing society, which from the object con-
templated, is denominated the "Chapel society. -
The work done is for the most part of a fancy
style, and when sold, the proceeds will be an.
piled to the erection Of neat chanel on the
grounds OF the institution, in which MANY of
those who are now here, and the successors of
others, may assemble on each Sabbath TO en-.
gage in those religious services 80 consistent
with their former habits, so congenial TO their
present tastes, and which will in all probability
prove so beneficial to their spiritual interests.
Many OF our patients who could not be induced
to use their needle, have engaged with alncr,y
Ia this enterprise; and whilst we an,icipate with
pleasure the contamination Of the design, we ore
Truly grained to witness, daily, the evidences of
present benefit afforded to those engaged in the
work. II may not be irrelevant here 10 remark,
that our Sabbath evening services have been cona
inued, with but occasional, and those unavoida.
bic interruptions, during tho present wear. and
that all concerned have manifested a considera-
bic interest in regard thereto. We know of no
one Item In our system of MANAGEMENT from
which so much benefit seems to be derived and
no consideration could induce us TO abandon il.
Our thanks are due to the Rev. Robert White,
lhomasH. Casteman and Benjamin Nj, Smith,
for having kindly oficiated Tor us in the course
oil the year. We trust that the marked attention
and decorum which characterized their congreua
|
services are remembered and spoken of by those
Tor whose special benefit they were designed,
VIII be an encouragement to them and others to
confer upon us similar favours, when not incom-
Patbe with other engagements
Havlng long been impressed with the impor-
lance OF suitable provisions being made for insane
coiored persons in our State, and having waited
IN vain Tor some one more competent to present
the'r claims to the attention Of the legislature
we Ven'ureo In our last annual report to allude to
inc oo)ect and make few suggestions designed
70 favor It's accomplishment. Nothing, however,
was done or even attempted in regard thereto bv
me legislature, and we know not that we should
at present have pursued the matter further, but
mat the humane and talented Governor of the
commonwealth, in his late annual communication.
expressed his views as being decidedly favorable
10 inc measure. Hence, we are induced to hone
'nat me prospect is not so supervising as we had
apprehended. We are more than ever satisfied
that the condition Of this class Of unfo,,unates
as well slaves as free blacks, is such as imperi-
ously requires the fostering aid of the Stale and
we can conceive OF TO more just or benevolent
MODE oil eXpending small portion of the surplus
revenue IMAM by suitably providing for their
comfort and their cure. The reflection which we
have been enabled 10 bestow upon the subject
convInces us that it would be mutually preiudi-
cial 10 both whites and blacks, but especially to
the former, were the two classes blended i'm one
asylum, or within the same enclosure. The
principal reasons for this opinion are based upon
knowledge OF the relation which most of The
patients in our State institutions sustained In co.
| iored persons previous to their mental affection
connected with the consideration that the preiu-
dices existing when in health, have been agra
waited, In all probability, by the morbid state of
ieeiing which insanity mostly engenders. But
we are well satisfied that this difficulty MIGHT he
obviated Wills, economy would be promoted bv
erecting piain, substantial buildings in the vicin-
Ivy Of one or the other OF the present asylums so
remote, and located In such manner as 10 present
the appearance OF an entirely distinct establish
men', whilst The coniiguity should be such as TO
enable The same court of directors TO SUPERVISE
and the same medical and other officers 10 dis
charge the necessary duties required by both.
me expense oil erecting suitable buildings and
conducting such an establishment, would be
small, IN comparison with that incurred for SINH
lar purposes IN reference to whites, and we haz-
ard The opinion. that with proper management
after the buildings shall have been CONNECTED. il
Will require but triliBg sum to be appropriated
Annually from The treasury Of the comm onwealth
/ to maintain and render comfortable its occupants
Our design at present, however, is simply 10 in
vite once more The attention of the Legislature to
this important subject, with the assurance that
should disposition be manifested to engage in
the laudabe work suggested, we will be found
ever ready TO Afford any information or aid of
which we are capable.
We regret also to state that the suggestion
Ioh'a'heo III our last annual report, and approved
by the court of directors in reference to the mr.
chase OF servants for the asylum, was overlooked
by the Legislature. sense of duty however.
both to the institution and the commonwealth
constants us to renew the recommendation. 1t
would require bnt slight acquaintance with the
daily operations of such an establishment to con-
vince every one that It's prosperity must be ser-
ousiy retarded by the system so long pursued
here, OF depending upon hired slaves for many of
the most important items in its domestic economy,
whilst the pecuniary interests of the State neces-
sarly suffer in no small degree therefrom. For
PARTICULARS we would respectfully refer to the re-
port above alluded to, and would express the
earnest hope that the committee on asylums NAV
be Induced to present the subject for considera-
ton in the house, believing as we do that it will
receive from the wisdom of that body prompt
and efficient sanction.
VIRGINIA.