Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-11-22
For The Enquirer.
THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE.

Mesers Editors:-- have noticed in late issue OF th
Enquirer lengthy homy 10 the people OF Virginia, iron
Professor Aahan New York, and addressed 10 John
Mcen ESD, Lynchburg, the advantages and dement's
of Virginia Military institute TO the youths OF our State
am not disposed for moment to doubt The sincerity
Professor Ala,an's motives The lively interest which h
feel Tor the institution yet is plain 10 be seen
that the principal object he Ind in view WAS TO laud Col
H. Smith Superintendent OF the Institution and to
vince the peoplc OF Virginia that they owed Col Smith
debt gratitude which they never repay. We FULLY
dore sentiments contained in the lecture ni Professor
Mahan as il regards Col f. IL. Smiths capacity. III,
State has done part too in sustaining this institution
her Shu has made heavy appropriations from
her treasury OF lime when her people grUaning under
taxation which the result of her magnIhcent schemes OF
Internal improy emcnts We shall not dissent from the
views OF learned Professor in regard 10 the appoint
OF Board of Visitors on party grounds and that they
should be gentlemen OF learning intelligence and character
presume none will deny We believe, however TINT the
Executive OF Virginia is fully competent TO select gentlemen
for this important position without The advice of Professor
ahan who says ha it lie highly important that tho hoard
should he gentlemen OF ability learning and appointed IRE
specye of party, because OF their association win Inc
corps of cadets"
He saws in substancc phat the opinons, character DC
Of the Board may affect for veal or "r WOO tho destiny
&c. Of the alumni OF the Institution hence great eau
and eye single TO their future interests should gov
lhr appointing power in the selection OF the Board
Admitting the of the position OF the learned
Professor association Of the Board only in
year. (ind then for lew days during their examinations
may mould The minds and influence the future interests
habits and opinions Of the graduate, is 1t not highly im
portan that the Superintendent should hold o1niuns in uni
| son with the great Of The Virginia peopel do not
nue To The party associations OF the superintendent We
know Tor his riniuns Wing or Democrat, nor
is necessary proper discharge Of the duties Super
lncndrnt n Va Schnn OF Military science We ehnl ar
ragn Col Smith, the present Superintendent monarch
ist whose opinions directly at with both Of grca
political parties, only in Virginia. but in largo majority
Of the Sales OF Ibis Union. We have personal
towards Col Smith, and would intimate nothing dclti-
mental his character hight toned honorable man. but
from authority ndubabe) we make the declaration that
is untitled preside and instruct the youths Vr.
of every Vrginian and Southern man in this Union
Can ggInans feel that they are under lasting debt of
gratitude the Superintendent Of Virginia school, sup
ported by taxing 0nr people, who despisea and
bitter contempt the memory OF MI Jefferson, whom ali
parties profess pect and whose opinions they are
willing and proud acknowledge the exponent of their
political fai} The charge i, made and Tie eyiiencs can
be adiuccd to prove that Colonel f. H. Smith Inc Sn
perintendcn Of the Virginia Military institute al Lex
ington, demonstrated with The members of one of lie
Literary Societies md objected The introduction of
the Works Of Thomas Jefferson into IFS IbraIv ma
work no, I'll 10 be fead' who at sundry times
and on sundTy ocCbOhs declared the ubnions nj Nj
Jefferson ad been productive Of great evil and good
The human race. Does Professor Maon know this whisr
he is eclnring Fginuns the Importance of Impress
ing ch'rfct principles on the minds OF her chldrenl Are
the people Of Virginia placed under dcbr nj
gratitude Col Smith for thus assaing the auhor If ,ho
Declaration Of American Independence the Bill If Rphs for
religious Ireedn, and The immortal founder of the Uniyer
SHY ni FngniI Are the people of Virginia TO be under
continued obligations Col Smith for lIus ass,ioc ,h
character Of of her distinguished SOM whose m l
i've as long as Liberty las V0arY or the down,roddcn and
oppressed refuge from tyranny and absolulism-st n
lime, oo when her people about rear monument N
pepe his memory the great apostle of human be
yi ~ ~
Are the people OF Virginia bound nurture and susoio
Col Smith In hs Profitable and responsible u0sron ne
teacher ut Virginia youth wheI he obuctci Ia lin (,,m,
ton ut Southern Rights Association by the c,JeIa Cor
the discussion Of Southern Rights the case NJ m, iii
rersily of Virginia, aud other Southern schoOs3 Wnn d.
clnred TOO 10 member Of tho corps the Suutb h,d nj
ways been The acsreSso in every sectional isss with h
North and had well nigh rent this Union in twain '
We WI! not urge objection Col Smith hs r,,o
contempt for the people of bis State for derla,;no
appropriation OF thirty thousand dollars TO the ns,un m
The Legislature Of 1882 Than had such Bonrd No ,yoa
appointed by The Executive; because orsootn hcv did nv,
come up 10 all that he wished, in every narricul,r w.
again repeat that We hold malice Colonel SnIrb 10
Know NM only by Character having seen him. hnt
Flrsnlan, and az Southern man. will never
Institution. thon2h be Creation OF our own yhc H.,
superintendent hods no opinions sympathes in
with u.s. have sons now ready 10 educate and woj od
y send Them TO the Institute, but my objections ara
mountahe They can 60 elsewhere, and there lraro r., ~
spect the memory of the author of American
and 10 discuss and tak too it they choose of Snnho
rights, without meeting The frowns of a monarchia, a
al a'is'oetat. VIRGINIaN