Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-04-09
Correspondence Of the Christian ADV. S,Journal
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA.

rounding country, have ayailed myself Of all
the opportunities which were in my power to
learn its history, &c. From al intelligent and
influential citizen, r. Brooke. Esq, have pro-
cnrcd number OF items, which 1t is Hoped will
be of interest to YOU and your readers, and beg
to use them as the n,ateriel of the pr, sent COM
mllnicaton.
The town OF Stanton occupies central posi-
lion on the map Of Virginia. and is distant from
the city of Richmond about one hundred and
thirty miles, and near one hundred miles from
the town, Of Winche star tits situated in the
ter,ile.ahd comparatively porulous county OF
Augusta, which contains upwards OF twenty
thousand inhabitants about four-fitths of " hom
are white the remainder with the exception OF
about fve.or six hundred free emaneipated ne
groes, are slaves. Thetown contains upwards
of two thousand inhabitants and is the sat Of
Justice for the county. 1t has four churches
the Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Roman Catholic-the latter compromising only
a small community, composed altogether OF l.
rish who have recently settled here Numerous
courts of Justice are held here during the year ;
these are the monthly and quarterly courts OF
the county of Augusta, and of the corporation
of Staunton, the superior Courts OF Law and
Chancerv, twice a wear and the Circuit Court
of the u States for the Western District of Viz
.ginia, in the months OF May and October
These, together with the position Of the town
. on the great highway of travel between Eastern
: and Western Virginia, and the numerous public
q schools, both male and female, which have been
t established here make Staunton place of much
public resort. 1t is consequently, quite prom
inent town in the State, though small; and
seems destined from its position, its many nat
ural advantages, and the intelligence enterprise,
and public spirit OF its inhabitants, and of those
of the surrounding country, to exert considera-
bic moral, social, and political influence on the
!. State at large.
There have been established here, OIL a very
liberal scale, two Institutions the Western Asy-
lum for the maintenance and care Of the Insane,
and the Virginia Institution for the Education
of the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind The first
was founded some twenty-five years since. II
can at this time accommodate in the most COM
Portable manner about two hundred aud twenty
i patients but in another year, by means of the
enlargement which is now Ill progress, the num-
Der of four hundred may be accommodated
The buildings are spacious substantial and
handsome, we'll adapted to the humane purpose
for which they are intended and the comforta-
Bile condition of the unfortunate inmates indi-
( eates'the ample iberality with which the insti-
tuition is tostered by the State. DR.. Francis T.
: Stribling, who is the superintendent and physi-
clan of this noble charity, is every way worthy
of the Office which he holdss Adopting to 1.-THE
$ fullest extent the mild, persuasive, and moral
treatment of the insane, he has been cminently
successful in his practice; and there are proba-
bly, few institutions of the KIND III which the
unfortunate lunatic OF maniac, Judging from the
past experience of the institution, is placed TN
der more hopeful and efficient influences for his
restoration to reason and society. The other In
stitution. for the education of the deafand dumb,
and the blind, has been more recently founded.
The building is spacious and elegant, and beau
tifully situated and its annual endowment by
the Legislature is ample for the number which it
- can contain. The superintendent, the Rev. Mr.
Tyler and DR.. Merrillat, the first the principal
instructor Of the deaf and dumb, and the latter
of the blind, are Jealous and interchangeable in
their arduous duties The system Of education
for both classes, suitable to their peculiar men
tai condition, and embracing 4ne arts of reading
and writing, flescience OF arithmetic and ulath
enatscs, geography, history, music, and various
handicrafts, has been most successfully applied,
and its happy results, as manifested in the pub
lie exercise of the unfortunate pupils, are truly
wonderful and gratifying. The stranger sees at
a glance that order, humanity, and ability, pre-
side over this interesting charity.
The county of Augusta, in which the town Of
Stanton is situated, is one ofthe largest, most
fpopulous, and fertile counties in the State Its
climate is distinguished for it's saiuorty--its sur
face is high and roing--ts soil is chiefly the
stiff limestone of the Valley of the Shenandoah
River, and it is well watered by the numerous
head springs and small tributaries which form
that beautiful stream. 1t is connected with
Winchester, and the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, by wel-graded MAdanazed turnpike,
and viii, in all probability, be connected, in
few years more, with the city OF Richmond, and
the tidewater by the Louisa Railroad, which, I'M
der the fostering care ofthe Legislature, is rapid
sly progressing towards Staunton. Whenever
that occurs this beautiful section mist advance
rapidly in every respect. Its population is now
intelligent and enterprising and with such quick
and prompt communication withthe markets Of
the seaboard as railroad will supply, its fine
soil will develop rural wealth and beauty, !
which, with its saubrious climate and charming
a;enery, must make it one of the moot attract
i've spots in our country The, same causes
which have retarded the progress of wealth and