Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-12-02
For the Enquirer.
fOT lTt 12HY0Et'e''
v,pc,N1, MILITARY INSTITUTE.

an upon No., i,i,n,n Az il is reasonable suppose
ha Col Smith will notice such an attack upon .
| ,h. srn ments contained in the article IL a'!o"ec ~
nn.nnIr,dicc ed may prejudice untIGkng men against
h school have DETERMINED az member OF INC colls
cadets and deeply so!citous for all that concerns us
liam 10 ask for room in your paper Tor the olo"hs eIE
'Ihc nu,o, of the article while protesting 10 DC lcho
md eep interested in welfare vi The INSTITUTE cvhce
his sincerity by cneavoring to do away the favorable m
which The ctt. OF Professor Mahan was calculated
ia proLucc upon the public mind by aSuins lis origin 10
tcsre on The part Of that distinguished Professor 10
r OF the Virginia Military Institute Inc
rondirlon as we'll as promise OF future usefulness
which the Institute lis infancy gives 10 the STATE at large
cannot be- otherwise than deeply interesting 10 the
tue OF Virginia. and The opinion oil such mar Us iocs-
sor Nlahar emineuy qualified he il from ms educauon
and professional connection with the great Military 9choo
n, Nest Point to pass n Just Judgment upon the successful
introduction OF tic military system into our STATE instta
ton must be received with gsatcaiion ny every eho VI
the entcrps; while the Legislature will ni In the enco
miums which he bcsows upon lis successful management,
ample vndicalOn OF their fostering care Had Tue aInol
of Inc article the interest he processes lie woua nave
been proud Of The high AMI unsolicited tribute Pah our 'e
Institution by person Of such national reputation os oi
Mnhan Hc Justly raaks high among or most distinguish
cd scientific men, and military and civil Engineer 49,
perbaps without a superior III Ibis country.
On account Of Prof Mlhans scientific allalninents anu
bioh standing as gentleman and officer in tho w. status
service he was invited with Prof Biche by Tic brafn o.!
VISITORS 10 assist in examination OF the cadets Ut Tue
close Of the last session. and discharged the !aboous duty
with uuremng assuity and attention. Every c'ass was
examined in his presence and by him. aud he witnessed WIN
ustuns mcnt the lhoroughntss OF The instruction ana inc
,pd xiuaton Of State Institution 10 It's great ma
toual niode-tnc Polytechnic Of America AS n 'elh,an
he was IRA lifted find that lis native State appreciated
az stem of education cmincuy practical and 50 wen
prepare her Tor the active ana useiu pursuits
OF life and deeply impressed with the inesnaee dement's OF
sch an institution cducaonal ard
o, the State gave the public the result I" MS "nseSa
lions Knowing he did, The difficulty o supJec'ng 'hc
rash spirit youth Ia The stern requirements oi mhay
DISCIPLINE and State enterprise, mat II was new an"
rp.rimrn he naturally expected TO lind in the
character and ,atas u the Superintendent the secret oil us
wonderful In this he was not mistaken bal oe-
end in Y,
untiug energy vu.ed talents and rare powers n COMMAND
on the mart u Superintendent his invaluable praise OF
the bray wisdom OF The Legislature and me success
OF the enterprise must DC regarded but his Fcuu
10 the main object al his letter tie audaon Of Inc super
nendent Can "A Viraniam anything IN Inc SEMI.
nrns OF respect aud acInraiun expressed III Tue close VI
his letter by the distinguished professor for the
dent u the destitute, but just tribute to Ills merits is seen
in Tho hCu and ,iarn, discharge OF his varied duties in
Tho pnvr1nuvut Of Institution which ne pra!oes
70 every wisc 10 the long neglected pu a nipot.
lsnt interest Stale the Improvement OF ls PRESENT
vu,c of ,Iucat:ou which the Superintendent has so or
IDENTIFY devoted the best years oi ms NE W. ,e III W h
m or. v in the cordial Communications OF Professor hhhan
hc author OF the article referred to- being good Jtcr-
.,niar Demucot has evidently worked himself into very
uncomfortable degree o excitement ny listening ~ STATE
mers paied oil upon his cduly Tor the purpose OF aon'
sing his political and finding us we olicn do IN our So,
r. when The shades OF departed worthless summoned
with an rrcvrrcn, tongue by youthful parsan lar
chance little patriotic defamation nc mas o.eh
unable 10 resist temptation; and TO give point 10 MS eel'
inc has aimed his undebos at the heud OF our ucEless
SUPERINTENDENT Blu, he who stood by the institution and
social sectional and personal hatred were raging around H.
doubl not now calmly cOntenraes this little ebuIon OF
ie.Du and rejoccs 10 know that lie apPVecalire good
n the people of Virginia. covers him with al aruor
nj nroot that Turns such malicious shafts hanIesty away
RE nIrnenent character of our Literary Societies proves
that the has been deceived and that Col
Smith never could have demonstrated WIN CADET or Vp
posed introduction Of Mr. J,espns works milo our H.
brarics The laws vi Societies were not mace by The
hoard of Visitors Superintendent or Faculty. but by
selves The preservation OF order and dcc0fum II maintain
cd by officers OF appointing Our library selected
by and are as free 10 purchase ana read Tue works OF
MIR }, csuu us Marshals Life Of Washington or Bancros
History of the United In other words recognize
no controlling authority in the selection Of our books and
This the first that have ever heard that The Super
jncndent had made effort exercise any such control
To those members Of either Society," The idea
of his opposine the selection books raises feeling
of mitth al the simplicity Of The writer. Although tlr So
pcrincndent entertaining different political seutimens may
dissent from many Of the doctrines contained In The writings
of Jefferson his admiration for The talents of that great
statesman, we'll as respect Tor The political creed Of The
Derocra party OF the State induced him, when The ns
first established TO purchase for its library
petc series Of Mr. Jersons works. which gotten
the use Of the Cadets and have always been accessible
them In view Of such facts what becomes Of the frivolous
charge the writer with regard the prescription Of Mr.
Jrerson works and how pOniless such idle yapuuHg up
pearsi
the Cadets OF the Institute 10 form "Souhern Rights
Association the writer is equally ut fault. Such an as
sociaon seriously contemplated by the Cadets
nor such desire made known The Superintendent What
he might have 6eGmcd proper TO pursue il such
purpose had been revealed 10 him. unable saw but
whatever he may have tone would have dictated by
OF Southern feeling attachment Southern in
cress By rules and regulations which he placed here
TO execute. 1t IT, ndetd strange that any one should cb,roe
Col Smith, with want Of sympathy with Southern feelings
and interests. dc ~ Southern by birth and res
dence and Vginan in all thar The sentiments
and feelings of high-toned Virginia gentleman and on
The great question OF slavery which has tended 10 awaken
such bitter sectional feeling and 10 draw the line of separa
ton between the North and the South there is no man in
Virginia, who entcains stronger roavery sentiments or
profound conviction Of our rights Than he does -
Under such circumstances the enquiry naturally arises in
what respect has he shown of sympathy fur I'm
South his whole life bearing evidence of his devotion IN a
interests We know that Col. Smith Whip bu, he io
nores the discussion OF u party Questions in societies
and never touches upon politics in private intercourse
thus leaving every Cadet TO follow The political fah of hi
fathers without opposition in word deed his part
The writer says the Superintendent urisocra, md
monarchst-terms which lie either Goes not fully com |
prcicnd or coInpIchenjng at random. is pet(ecv
impossible 10 meet charges ridiculous, and so u,tey
without the shadow oil foundation. He gh Just as eusy
have called him Catholic Mohommedin or Hind,o NM
the evidence adduccd Such charge brought apa;np
any native born American living under his own lice
meR enjoying the blessings Of its Tree institutions and Ia
one as being too paprby absurd Tor comment Yr,
what is peculiar and friendly he does not even kno
Cob Smith by sight, knows nothing of his private senri.
mcnls and only point 10 The prosperity of lie Institute
furnish testimony support of his charges 1t would have
been little !n'ellgihe least II he had r,,u
him with exercising his Inrnurcca! taste by syi,, ST.,
an nrlumchs cadets who fail 10 toe The marx mr.
senaly violate The regulations IF the
of family influence or friends My experience sati,6
uith
aud have thought more than occasion Inn, hs 49,
about bring his iron Iue 10 bear upon me; bu INV dIin
qnencies being less serious Than first sup5,srd
been bowed from his presence with the hint 10 he
careful in future, which hint as du,u! subject have
thought it best 10 observe.
As do not know what opinion the Superintendent o.,
terained OF the Board OF Trustees of S5l-52 do no d.
ny the expression which is ascribcd him; but think
may be excused for doubling il, since find that the nns
soundlrss reports have been seized with equal avdv
vented with the same warmth and bitterness by "A Virs
man."
As The article in your paper prompted by any mn
licious unkind feeling for the Superintendent but from
The viruous desire Tie part Of the writer rebuks the
arisocatic and monarchica spirit of citizen in This De-
mocru!c land Of il Is 10 be hoped that h sgitaed
feelings will sink when his eye this plain sta
of facts II he should feel any conscientious winees
Tor having ignoranly assued fellow Citizen he should So
good the pure spirit hrh acluated him could not
be suied BY want OF information In the mean.