Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-12-06
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE.

n
Gentlemen Professor D. II. Mahan Of the United
States Military Academy West Point, nave yrginan
and gentleman who, by his own efforts, has placed hmsel
among angushed scholars In this country
invited the Board of Visitors 10 attend the last annual
animation of the Cadets Of The Virginia Military Institute.
After examining fully into The operations Of The Institute,
he thought proper without any solicitation from any member
of the Faculty aud without their knGwIsdge communi.
friend G. Meem Esq of Lyncsorrg his views
OF general character and condition In this conc
tion Mr. Mahan took occaso to express himself ia terms
highly complimentary to the Superintendent Of the Insli.
tue. With the view u cOunIeracng as FIR us possible,
the favorable Impressions which such opinion from such
source might make upon tie public mind, unknown cor
respondent of the Enquirer Of The 22i November endea-
assai the motives Of this distinguished Professor 10
making this communication and 10 arraiR he Superntend
Of The Institute Tor exercising authority in conflict with
and hoding opinions repugnant TO- the feelings Of every
virginian and Southern man in this Union"
Professor Mahan's communicate will speak for ITSELF
To those VI my fellow citizens Of both political pues who
know personally or by reputation nolhiHg be said
TO vndicalc myself against The remarkable attack cow made
against IT also will speak for ITSELF The question will ma
tually such persona why has author of hls
article il lie believed his statements be rue brought his
complaints and charges before The Board of Visitors who
control the l"stiiue1 Although protesting intimate
nothing that il detrimental 10 the character OF Col Smith
high toned honorable man. his charges trua ccps-
tue very grave political cmes and dena scrutiny be-
fore the proper tribunal Beades, in all trials is prnci.
pie OF justice that the accused should be confronted with his
accuser, and should not be condemned until he heard
Such are the reflections which every candid mind will
make upon reading The communication of "a Firpnian"
To meet, them what seems 10 be the obvious design OF
this correspondent deem il public duty 10 pubieh the
following opinion OF select committee OF The Senate of
Virginia, made 10 the Senate Murch, 1883 after iu en-
quy by complaint into the entire management of the Viz
gina Military Institute This COMMITTEES composed Of
gentlemen, whose Intelligence, private virtues Southern
feeling cannot be questioned by the author Of this commun
cation:
"But if enterprise is be considered as successful
and The wisdom Ut s founders fully indicated when
lie general management has been characterized by copsu
mate tact and ability. and when The great objects which /,
proposes have been realized In doubtful or stnted
sure then, In The opinion OF your committee have we
right 10 proclaim and 10 indulge in honest pride al The
success OF The Virginia Military Institute. And If the pratt
ude and applause Of the public due BY whose
talents by whose Zeal and unceesne abora and
by whose high integrity and fearless mpartaiy such Ie
suits have be,n achieved your committee unhesatnply ~
press The conviction that 10 Col Francis H. Smith The Su
perintenden Of the Institute, this reward preemiuenv
due
The past history and present condition Of the Iasu and of
all evidence which has been introduced before The com
mee in The progress of their investigation"
WIN SUCH an opinion from such gentlemen, the public
will not be surprised 10 know
That have opposed The Introduction of the works
OF Thomas Jefferson into any Literary Society either here
elsew here but the contrary had long
them for the public library of the Virginia Mil
That have opposed the formation among The "a
diets Of Southern Rights Association Nothing of the kind
Was ever desired or requested by them
That have never attempted, in any form wha lever 10
exercise the slightest control the political oninona NJ
That have never held or expressed The opinion shat the
South had always been The agsressor in every sectional is
with The North but have always held and expressed
the very opposite.
That virgnian by birth. education and feelings
Ny only inheritance was good name. If my position
be OF honor Il has been made 80 by dnt of my e
love my Stale and my country with ardor of
am, very respectfully FRANCIS =. SMITH.
Supt " H. ].
Virginia Military Institute, Nov, %. 1853.