Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-13


Lynchburg College: Military Department.
The rejoinder Of Professor Blankinship, pub
lished In the Republican Of Saturday. makes it
necessary that VIC should submit a few remarks in
reply. Having no disposition to continue con-
troyersy conducted thus far, without asperity, We
trust. but which is liable TO degenerate in merely
personal issues and. restrained by sincere de-
sire to avoid any action that might contribute d.
rcc.ly or indirectly TO the injury of m ins;isaon
whose welfare we have truly at heart. We would
stop Jus. hore. There are two or three points,
however, that we must notice. We will not dis
pute with Professor b.. the point - to whether
we have "needessly mingled" our Gown matters
with those of the Trustees" If they have the IN
telligence he comedies to them, they will be fully
able To determine that question, and the extent to
which the structures of the Professor were appli-
cable to them body.
What individual members Of the Board express
ed 10 Professor b. sentiments greatly at variance
with those expressed by the editor" We do not
know but with better opportunities than he can
possibly have to form correct estimate OF their
opinions, we assert without fear Of contradiction
that no member Of the Board at any meeting
thereof, ever in,mated any objection to the militia
~ feature in tho College, but upon the contrary,
have expressed themselves in favor Of keeping it
up to the highest point Of efficiency. We appeal
10 the record 10 sustain the assertion.
We affirmed that the corps declined and was
broken up, chiefly because Of a lack Of military
spirit and enthusiasm upon the part OF the com
mander. We still entertain that opinion. Whit
he did, was done from bare sense OF duty, with
out much if any effort TO infuse into tho corps
proper military spirit-indeed, we have been Gro
d,bly informed that certain expressions of his
were calculated to discourage the members. and
contribute to the disbandmcnt OF the corps. 1t
would have been unlike the history of all military
companies, if, with manifest apathy, not to cay
version to tho routine Of military duty upon tue
,art Of its commander. tno corps had fourished.
r even survived the fato that has overtakeu it.
In the last letter Of Professor b., to the Presi-
ent Of tho Board OF Trustees--which was not
resented 10 the Board because Of the prutracted
bsence of tina. gentleman from the cty-be says:
While will cheerfnlly take any steps the Board
nay direct. it is due - candpr to say that. for all
tactical and beneficial purposes. it appears to me
nc military department has ceased to exist
nd SO it had; but wherefore?
We will not pursue the subject further than to
~ that if our capacity to make suggestion upon
ilitary matters had not been so decidedly called
question, we would venture to remark that
&c injury might be repaired by taking advantage
the present revival OF the military spirit to re-
rganize tho corps, and also include in it many
( our young men, who though not students at
he College, are DESTROYS OF securing instruction
n tnctics. We leave the subject with the express
sion Of our best wishes for the prosperity of
l.ynchburg College, and the happiness Of Profes
ser Blankinship; for whom, personally, We enter
tain the highest respect