Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-14

Enr TIE Snecfnfm

For the Spectator.
.iessrs Editors BE pleased to insert in Won
next paper card which appears under my sign
j allure IN the last findicatOr, and that there ma,
De no injustice, be SO good TO admit az preface
4 ,he of the error noticed il
The card. !. Respectfully vonrs
i JAMES H. SKINNER.
C4- We publish TO- day card from Mr.. Skinne,
one OF the Boaid of Foiturs for the Institution fo,
the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, in which he cor.
reefs an error that We unwittingly committed in
noticing Tie appointment Of DR.. Fuora pbysician
to the Institution. We were led into the mistake
from The fact. that there is no recorded oppostion
to DR.. Fuqua's election. IF there were two oftbe
Board in favor Of eecting the old incumbent. that
fact was not known, until orally asserted to pri.
vate individuals. The impression left on our
mind from the statement we heard relative to The
election and the official record, was that it was an
''u1lanimous" ELECTION. Hence the error. We
may here be permitted TO remark, with due de-
ference 10 all parties that the record is nexplicit.
Whilst The omission Of ''unanhnouslyn in the
proceedings is intended to convey ihe impression
that DR.. Fugua did not receive The votes of all
the members Of the Board it does not convey that
impression 10 the casual observer Therefore any
one, without kno,cing that opposition had lie; n
made, might naturally conclude that the Physician
was elected unanimously, or without opposition.
We say this much, with no wish 10 criminaie
the motives of any, but simply to vindcale our
self from apparent carelessness nstating fact
-Pmhcator - 5.g
.Nessrs Editors In yourlas issue, under the
caption Of" Removal you have fallen into an error
in the statement which you make that the physi-
clan appointed for the Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb and Blind, lin the place of the former
incumbent, "was unanimously elected" This
inacclracy alone would certainly never have in
duced me TO pbtrude myselfinto your columns, brt
the anfmadveTsons npop the Board of Visitor,
which have. seen in more than one paper for
falling to reiapppipt rhe-late incumbeht-as they
are calculated, In my opinion, 10 injure the insti
tuition itself-render it proper. | think. that !,
should venturea few statements and comments
with regard 10 this matter
! The fact is that two Of the FIVE members Of the
Board who were present, in which minority the
subscriber was included. worl have preferred The
reelection OF the late physician, and among the
reasons whchone ofus assigned for our preference
were his known experience and the fact that he
was married man, which we thought an indis-
pensable condition in the Physician Of an Insiitn-
| lioH' OHe-hdi VI WHOSE inmates were ItlId eS
The majority of the Board, however, did not a
gre with us IN our preference, but saw rtason 10
elect the gentleman now in office. And here
take leaveto say, that the physician clect-for
whom, in consequence chiefly Of his being an un-
married man, could not under my convictions OF
duty vote-bore high testimonials as 10 his pro-
iesslonal competency. ] will further state that
his being Democrat was not even mentioned be-
E,ra fha ri i,1I, %, ,,o
and that 1t was not until after his election that
learned that such was the fact--though it is due
| to myself that should add, that had Lnjwn it.,
sense Of duty would not have suffered it to have
| Influenced my action.
| And here, in view Of the sweeping assaults
which have been made upon The party to which !
have the honor to belong, permit me 10 remark,
that the promotion Of the general welfare have
always recognised as its sole end and its organza-
ton have never regarded otherwise than us
means towards that end Such too believe are
! the views Of the honest masses who compose that
! party. Whenever, therefore have been invoked
either as one OF It's members or its representa-
tive, to any given line of action, have been con-
tent 10 inquire whether such action was calculated
| TO advance the general good, and upon being con
WINGED that it was not, ha We always felt satisfied
that the true end of,my parry rather forbade than
required me to pursue the course indicated. As a
cherished part of the common well, regard The
SUCCESS Of the noble institutions which lie Stale
has generously committed TO our peculiar guardI-
| anship. They are living and active expression
of the enligherc benevoloEce Of the whole pco
| pie, W tbout disliacHc u Of sect or party. They
depend for their support, and the means of enlar-
! ging their capacity for usefulness, upon eontinu
ance OF the sane spirit ilro' gh0ut the Common
welrh. which led 10 their establishment. sub
init, tho refore whether single act which is IRE
snaed 10 have originated in rarity feeling. should
induce charitable men 10 make one OF these Ins,i-
tutions bone ofangry partzan contention. Think
MT. And | am furthermore confirmed. by recent
events, in the opinion which | have always enter
! tanned, that the introduction into their manage
ment of either sectaran or political considera-
tons would not only prejudice The offending sect
or party. but wculd be wrong done to the cause
of afflicted humanity. That they gave up To
party what was meant for malkind' would e.
| with new meaning, the old but pungent reproach
ready 10 be visited upon those who were insiru-
mental in such course. am not aware that
the Board of Visitors of the Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb andihe Blind, who have been
SO rudey assailed, have ever been governed in
their action by mere considerations of party. 1t
/
that sincerely trust they never may be.
In conciusion--and perhaps at the expense of
propriety-l beg leave to say. that am well
aware of how much the Democratic party of
Augusta has to bear in the threats of prescription
which, will not say the majority pariy-but
! liberal members Of that party. denounce against
them. lit be allowable to utter word ofadvce
10 honest men, it would be this Do your duty
! L., H. ,cl, 70 baoc MID
| ed TO your hands! Administer these sacred trusts
in such 4 spirit as will make for them many friends
and no enemieil Suffer nothing 10 excite you TO
acts of retaliation within their walls-acts which
cannot promote, but must initiate against their
best interests! And in the end, when viriuous
community shall come to compare your forbearance
with the intolerance Of your opponents. rest assn
| red that it will not he long ere they side with you
in the better part which you will have chosen.
lam very respe ulIy yours,
JAMES Fl. SKINNER.