Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-12-06
For the Enquire
Us,yrRslry OF VIRGINIA, Nnv. 3

M,ssrs Edtors-The Enquirer OF Inc IIa o. Eo o
contains long article headed "fIgn tonn ads nnon o.
hi of that Institution AS mere are iacts
Contained in that statement OF IA Flrenian a;o s'
inenllv calculated 10 msead the puoc hlno III 70
lie rnnst faithful und efficient officers Inc suoents OF
ih;s Insituri.n who have been formerly cohnesu
Military Institute, have unnnlmou bs nesona know
Ss and for that purpose, they have appointed comm'
tee ~ draw up a reply to the article Of "a freinlah
Beonong as do TO different political parties we a,e
vol mnwiIne 10 regard in silence the frequent attempts
which have made of late TO nInre 10y aegiues W rep
ulaon of Col. Smith, on account OF HIS po"es ,a,
.honoh the article alluded discaims any prejudice We
ecI that some such feeling mus exist 10 no sa
in The bosom of those who have been the sources Of
IA Vrginans information
Of Southern Rights Association amongst !he Cadets Inc
subject of forming such Association was larry ana ree
discussed by The Cadets themselves in each OF the Literary
Sc;e,s and was voted down by them. Many OF US were
members of Institute and oil the Societies al Inc ZINE
II Col Smith expressed any disapprooaon OF suGh a
association heard OF II. The utter uliue, now
aver of the formed al this University shows lie correct
Judgment OF the Cadets themselves in rejecting inc pfopo
sitiOn. Indeed our only wonder mat Col on' ula no.
when first agitaed forbid the formation oi an assoc
alton which, without any possibility OF eiecne goo1 WouiG
ha We been rminenlly incompatible with The strict maf>
discipline wht Intended 10 be enforced u Inc Institute
anv ana who is acquainted with the practical operations
there will perceive improperly OF forming any assoca
ton which have interered 80 much win The reeua
| routine Of duty.
Again il is objected that Col. Smith i, anti Jeflersonian
that he said Mr. Jeersons works were mol tit TO be 10
troduced into The Societies IL Is well known that he gu
political principles are not those oil MI Iei
fcrsons And "A Virgniln" might well have COMPRISED
the whole substance Of his charges in this: mat COL of
Wing; Mr. Jefferson was not Bn, because an .ic,en
officer happens be opposed In his political principles 70
majority of citizens OF The State ia this any reason why
he shuuld be abused? Whatever may be be slperntfnd
ents privales views We defy any one 20 snow al nc VA
ever 10 Influence OF Cadet by word or act
If he ever did oppose The introduction OF any OF MI Jener
sons works into The Societies. although some OF us have
been connected With the Institute, constantly Tor egh
| heard o y
which was DONE Several attempts have been made u
introduce the works of Tom Paine aad Col Smllh has IN
yariably opposed it violently So when Gle writings o
Rev nOds we're actually bought by one of the Societies. M
persuaded il TO send The book back and
any writings tending towards inhdety nave peer
proposed, they have net with the same opposition MT
Jeitrsons scrpricsnl IN ~r. known and we iee perfectly
confident that no production f that great statesman ha
been opposed the Institute upon any o:her ground Ate
an ntT,ue atnuantnnce with Col Smith for yilrs
yet not iRtia,rly informed of all the little remarks
which he may have Dsde use, as IA vrglnnn seems Il
be: but VIC know his high opinion OF Dir. Jefferson, as
statesman: and though differing wifi him In politics, W
feel fully assured that such general condemnation OF ~
works has never been made by the Superintendent Tn
author Of article doubt misiniormed as he wa
In relation 10 the Southern Fights association.
The last Charge against the Superintendent seems to
that he expressed himself prelerng 10 it'a ne appro
priuon ra such Board OF Sisiios ~ eye
sentiment was ever expressed by the Superintendent
honor him for IL had feared that his anxiety 10 push Of
The apuroalion had made him less sepDye 10 the lnsul
which has been Offered the Institute D The aFPoinmen
of lis visitors tor year two past and We reuce 10 PM
thai ne has felt II no less than her Alumni WINE some
the visitors have been gentlemen OF intelligence and ability
Is Il not known Of them have been utterly unh
for The oics 10 which they were assigned Has il no
been matter Of honder if OF Indignation Throughout
The State that the Executive should have so lar abused
his usf Has it not Seen carried so lar that The Alumni
have even talked OF presenting Iean:rance to The Exc
cutive2 And in fine, when one Of The moss 4fcompIshe
officers of The United States service Pfo Aaha M no
ced and remarked the garng defect in the Board OF yis
tors he is told that The Executive knows his duty II HI
knows it, we can only say he has violated II we hope or
the that he has not known The evil WHICH he
perhaps have eommi,trd and thas no vii
rectfy it in future And hope aso that those who lik
~ Vrsnian have suns 10 educate and would desire n
them Military training, may be well assured that they car
be put ADLER hands Than those OF the present Super
ntenden Whatever may be the merits OF the Institute hi
lis father and deserves full Of praise II pas
good and future promise can be any OF gratitude
far delraclng from Col Smith, We should be proud &c
recognize ha the head Of one oil Vgina5 favor
lite Institutions and hope that long jc Of public service
may perfect The cause which he has so nobiy Segun.
TIE COMMITTEE