Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-05-09
Presentation,

salver was presented to Dir. STRIDLING, on
Saturday last. by the Board of Directors of
the Western Lunatic Asylum, as token OF
their appreciation of his long and useful SER
vice in that Institution The circumstances
attending the presentation of the gift reflect
the highest credit upon DR. s. 1t was de-
signed as testimonial to be offered last
January, when Dr. S. had determined to re-
tire from the public service, but the numer-
Gus solicitations of his friends, and of the
inmates themselves, induced him to recon-
slider his determination to retire, when he
was again unanimously elected to the post
he has so long filled with such distinguished
ability. On making the presentation Mr..
NICHE, President of the Board, said
! DR.. Srs1BMSo-The pleasing duty is as
signed to me, of presenting to you, in the
name and on the behalf of the Board of Di-
rectors of the Western Lunatic Asylum of
Virginia, this silver vase, in testimony of
our appreciation of your long, faithful, and
valuable services to the State and the cause
Of afflicted humanity. In your long con-
nection with this Institution, as its Super
intendent, after introducing into Virginia
! the modern improvements in the treatment
Of the insane, and converting the hospitals
for their reception from prison houses of
restraint into pleasant asylums for their
cure, your skill and untiring industry have
succeeded in placing these noble charities
on footing of equal usefulness with those
of the most enlightened quarters of the
world. When, therefore, some months
since, you had announced your determine
ton to retire from our service, we resolved,
unanimously, to compliment you with a
suitable token of our unqualified approba-
ton. Under that resolution this vase was
ordered, and we had feared that the occasion
of its presentation would have been sadden-
ed by our official separation. We rejoice,
/ however, for our own sakes and for the sake
/ of humanity, that Providence has changed
your determination, and retained you still
among us. But we will not on that account
revoke the gift so we'll deserved. Take it
as the reward of merit, and as the free Of
/ fering, through US, of that generous State
which you have served. Let it be testi-
mony to you, and your children, and to the
world, that the faithful discharge of duty
will always meet the reeempense of honor.
To which Dr. S. replied as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT,
and Gentlemen Of The Directory :
When, some months since, your Board
was notified that | would not be candidate
for reelection to the Superintendency of
this Institution, you complimented me, not
only by placing on your records resolutions
expressive of confidence, but also by ill.,
structing a committee of your body Ito
procure a suitable and permanent testimo-
NAL, /" to be presented me, when our official
connection should cease.
/ When, for reasons which need not now
be mentioned, |, at a subsequent period,
placed once more at your command my SER
vices, circumstances had interviewed well
calculated to embarrass your action. Had
you failed to continue me in Office / could
not have complained But on its being an
nounccd to me that had been reelected
by the unanimous vote of your Board, felt
that no stronger evidence of your confidence
could be afforded, and took it for granted
that none other would be offered. | must
say, therefore, (stereotyped as is the ex-
pression) that this additional manifestation
''has taken me by sufprize" "a most agree
able surprze, trul and one which i'm
presses me with a feeling of gratitude, the
depth and sincerity of which l have not Ian
guage to describe.
Whatever of reputation, gentlemen this
Institution may have acquired at home or
abroad, much of the credit therefor is Justly
due to you, and those who have preceded
you, in the responsible position you occupy.
A Superintendent, whatever his qualifca-
tons could do but little for the Institution,
unless ounselled--eneourage d-sustained
by those whom the law constitutes his SUI
periors. Such aid, it has ever been my
good fortune to receive.
Nor would do justice to others, or to
myself did l fail in this connection, to add,
that much, very much, of whatever success
has attended our efforts here, is directly at
tributable to the discretion, the zeal, the
fidelity of many who have, from time to
time, been officially, though subordinately,
associated with me-
AS to what will be my future course, in
conducting the Institution, | can only refer
you to the principles which you have reason
to know have governed my past action. But
must add, that the occurrences of this day
constrain me to give you pledge, that
whilst under no circumstances could my So
licitude for the insane, as class, be lessen
ed, if health and capacity be allowed me,
my zeal and efforts in behalf of this Institu-
ton, and its afflicted inmates, shall not flag.
Allow me, once more, gentlemen, from
the bottom of my heart, to thank you for
this chastc, beautiful, rich, gift. 1t shall
occupy the most conspicuous spot to be
found in my humble dwelling. 1t will often,
very often, if life be spared me, be gazed
upon, and never without mingled feelings
of pride and of gratitude. And when
shall be no more on earth, cannot doubt
that it will be sacredly preserved by my
children and children's children, for many
generations, as a treasure once dear to their
departed progenitor,
The vase and salver were manufactured
at the House of Messrs Read, Taylor &
Co., New York, and bore the following in
scription -
Presented to DIR. Francis T. Striblipg
Physician and Superintendent of the West
ern Lunatic Asylum, by the Board of Di-
rectors, in token of their high appreciation