Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-13
PrnSpnfafIanL


The Directors of the Western Lunatic Asylum
presented to DR.. Strbling, OH Saturday week, {
silver vase and salver, as token of their appro
baton of his services in that Institution. Or
making the presentation Mr. Niche, Presiden
of the Board, said:
DIR. STRIBLING.-The pleasing duty is assigned
to me, OF presenting to you, in the name and OF
the behalf of the Board of Directors of the Yves
tern 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
connection with this Institution, as its Superin
tendent,at Introducing into Virginia the mod
ern improvements in the treatment of the insane
and converting the hospitals for their reception
from prison houses of RESTRAINT into pleasant asy'
lums for their cure, your skill and untiring in
dustry 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 determination to re-
tire from our service, we resolved, UNANIMOUSLY,
to compliment you with suitable token OF oul
unqualified appreciation. Under that resolution
the occasion of its presentation would have been
saddened 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 GIT
so well deserved Take it as the reward OF mer-
it, and as the free SKerng through US, OF that
generous State VI you have served. Let u
be testimony tovou, and your children, ana
to the world, that the faithful discharge OF duty
will always meet the recompense OF honor
To which DR.. S. replied as follows:
Nh. PRESIDENT,
and Gentlemen o. tie Directory :;
When. some months since, your Board was
notified that would not be candidate for re-
election to the SUPPLEMENTARY OF this lnstitu
ton, You complimented me, not only by placing
on your records, resolutions expressive of conf
dence, but also by ipstructing a committee OF
your body ''to procure suitable and permanent
testimonial, to be presented me, when our OH
cial connection should cease.
When. for reasons which need not now be
mentioned, /, at q subsequent period placed once
more at your command my services, circnm-
stances had interviewed well calculated to embar-
rass your action. Had you failed to continue
me in Office ! could not have complained. But
Oh its being announced to me that | had been
reelected,by the unanimous vote OF your Board,
felt that no stronger evidence Of your conf
dence could be afforded and took it for granted
that none other would be offered. | must say,
therefore, (stereotyped as is the expression that
this additional manifestation has taken me by
surprise"--a most agreeable surprise, truly-and
one which impreSSes me with feeling OF grail
tude, the depth and sincerity Of Which | have
not language to describe.
Whatever OF reputation, gentlemen, this lnstl-
tuition may have acquired, at home or abroad,
much of the credit therefor is justly due to you,
and those who have preceded youth the respon-
sbe position you occupy. A Superintendent
whatever his qualifications, could do but little
for the Institution, unless counseed-encour-
aged-sustained by those whom the law consti-
tutes his superors. Such aid, 1t has over been
my good fortune to receive.
Nor would do justice to Others, or to myself
did fail in this connection to add, that much,
very much, of whatever success has attended
our efforts here, is directly attributable 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 con-
Quoting 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 a pledge, that whilst under no circum-
stances could my solicitude for the insane, as a
class, be lessened, if health and capacity be al
lowed me, my zeal and efforts in behalf of this
Institution, and its afflicted inmates shall not
flag
Allow me, once more, gentlemen, from the
bottom of my heart,to thank you for this chaste,
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 ly my chill
dren, and children's children, for many genera
lions, as o treasure once dear to their departed
progenitor.
The vase and salver were manufactured at the
House of Messrs. Read, Taylor & Co., n York,
and bore tie following inscription
ePresented to DR.. Francis I, Striking, Physi-
clan and Superintendent of the Western Lunatic
Asylum, by the Board of Directors, in token Of
their high appreciation of his long and meritori-
Gus services to the State and invaluable henetac-
tons to afflicted humanity January /, 1857"
THE BUrDELL MURDER TRIAL.-The trial of