The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-28
!. VIRGINIA MlLIrARY iNsTITUTg

? o..
Ata meeting Of the Corps OF cadets at the VIZ
gihia Military Instsste, Jan. eiss, held ia come
quenee ofthedeat Of Cadet BLAcKsuas, OF sJef
fessOu. The following preamble aud resolution,
we're unAnimously adopted:
freamblc Feelings of the pFofou1dest concern
wereexched in our midst by the sudden death Of
THos. BLAcKBunS, one ct our fellow Casets.-
Weiwould not comment upon the circumstances
Of this awful tragedy, which has Oiled our hearts
with mourning, and ehrouded the community Ia
gloom, for a. we drop the unchecked tear Tor a
brave fellow Cadet around whose being were gath
cred somco of the dcarest associations OF our youth
II 10 our duty TO remember that the undecided fate
OF the living impressively demands the charity o.
our silence Yet tis becoming Ia US TO cay that
wederive great comfort from the belief th at the de-
ceased on that fatal night, had LEFT his to at
tend religious service, with no feeling OF hatred
fsf any human being 10 disturb the serenity OF bis
theu9hts- no malignant designs with
b himself, suspecting none Ia others-thst he had
even entered the house Of God and was called
thence to meet sudden and awful death. under
the cover of might, and by the hand of violence.
Tis these comforting reflections together with
memory of the undaunted firmness with which he
met his fate that now, like moon beams on stormy
sea- lights up our darkened hearts and lend to the
surroun, iing gloom beauty SOFT sweet and sooth'
ing to the troubled soul.
Awe rail nm In long review the whole history
of onr intercourse with the deceased-his number
less acts of kindness and love his many social vr.
tues-his pure principles and honorable character
-as We remember how he shared with us the
hardships of the camp the duties and anxie.ies
of the school and then think that his friendly hand
can ne yer again be offered with the rankness OF
soldiers love or bis voice fall again upon the list
enine ear of Friendship, our sorrows become more
Deep more bitter, because unheard and unayailing.
From this distress we would not be entirely dl
vorced for there is sympathy Of heart for heart,
a communion OF spirit with spirit, in the sad hour
of bereayment that sottens death and prompts US
to cherish memory for the loved and lost, that
becomes the earthly shadow of their Immortality.
Resotred 1st That though our hearts are lacerat-
ed by the heavy affection which has fallen with
such crushing effect upon us all, and especially
upon the class mates OF the deceased, and whilst
bow with humble resignation to the will of Prov
idence; yet we rejoice TO feel that our deceased
the sight of men.
2nd That whilst we feel that in such an affection
all earthly consultations are but OF little avail, yet
wewould tender to the bereaved family of the &c.
ceased, the expressions OF our warmsst and ten.
derest sympathies, and OF our sincere prayer and
desire that he who "tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb, may give them consolation in this the hour
of their distress.
3rd. That in testimony of our sincere sorrow the
corps of Cadets will wear the usual badge OF
mourning for thirty days.
4th. That's copy OF the resolutions be sent to the
family OF the deceased, and to the papers of Lex
ington Richmond, Norfolk and Charlestown for
publication. r. C. TAYLOR PRECEDENT
c. L. LIGHrFoor, Sec'y.