The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-19
The 4 ndets.

A. ~. have before announced, the Cadets OF the
virginia Military Institute, 40 strong are expect
ed Ia the city this moraiog, their accomplished
Superintendent, Col. Smith, having been already
IN town several days, making preparations Tor
their reception. THIS portion of tho approaching
military pageant will be OF unusual interest In
Dimmocs's veterans and the Cadets Of the virginia
Military Institute, shall see the regulars oil our
Virginia army eluslling 10 drill aud discipline the
troops of the United States. We know not mill
tarv establish eut in the country on which Vir-
gilman can look with spch pride and pleasure as
the virginia Military Institute West Point, after
which IL 10 modelled, Is an object of apprehension,
A. we'll as admiration; t trains up merely military
men, who, after leaving its walls, are to devote
their lives to soisership, aud not to the duties oi
civil life, and who may be employed as instruments
10 snbvertipg the liberties of the country. or the
rights of the States Upon this Virginia school We
can look with uumiBgled pleasure We see the
Youthful chiyslry Of Virginia endowed with a COM
plete military education, and, at the same time,
thoroughly trained for the duties OF civil life, pre-
pared 70 serve their native State alike In peace and
war, and as teachers Of her schools to dituse
through every portion Of society the same military
and civil knowledge, the same systematic and
practical habits which they have acquired. Our
citizens will look to-day upon as fire a body Of
Youthful soldiers the world contains, worthy 10
be the hope and pride of State which has pro-
dncsd George Washington. For the complete fri
umph of the Virginia Military Institute, the State
Ia indebted chiefly to Col. F. III. Smith, n man who
seems TO have been born for the post, whose saga
eious and practical mind, indomitable energy, aud
superior military education aud accom- pishments,
have enabled him to impart the greatest efficiency
and theroughuess to his system OF instruction, aud
whose Christian character, moderation OF spirit,
and sound aud we'll balanced mind have given him
q degree Of personal respect and influence over
the Young men committed to his care which can
not be oyerrafed.
The public will only look upon the outside OF
this establish ment; 1t will behold splendid body
Of young soldiers who will exhibit In every move
nent the precision and steadness of veterans: but
IL cannot see the more admirable interior opera
tiops of the institution the habits Of steady In
dustry of strict attention to details of order and
discipline in every department of duty; and Of the
universal sobriety aud good morals which are ri
gdly maintained in this great school Of soldiers,
and OF what Is better, of practical, working men.
After residence Of years in the immediate neigh
borhood Of this school, the writer never saw a ca
Diet of the V. NJ. /. in condition which would
bring discredt his corps or sorrow to the heart
Of q father or friend.
We would rejoice to SEQ the gates of this noble
institution thrown open TO the whole Union, anu
no longer restricted, at present, to Virginians
Why not permit other States, especially our South
ern sisters to enter the Military Institute Of Vs
ginia and share Its iDestimabie benefits, and help
to build up among our impregnable mountains
West Point of the South.