The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-10-14
In6uxnfations0 s04 Gen. lee ~ Prosidsnt
'of Washingto ton College. f;isES 7


General Robert e. Lee was to-day in
stalled President Of Washington Col.
lege. There was no pomp Of of.parade.
The exercises of installation We're the
simplest possible an exact and bar.
rem compliance with the required for
Pula of taking the oath by the new
President, and nothing more. This
WAS In accordance with the special re-
quest of Gen. Lee. It was proposed
to have the installation take place in
the college chapel, to- send invitations
Tar and wide, to have a!band of music
to, play enlivening airs, to have Young.
glrls, robed in white, and bearing
chaplets Of flowers, TO sing songs Of
welcome ;, to have congratulatory
speeches, to make it grand holiday.
That this proposed programme was
not earned out was Il source of severe
disappointment to many. But Gen.
Lee had expressed his wishes contrary
to the choice and determination of
the college trustees and the multitude,
and his wishes were complied with.
THE INSTALLATION CEREMONIES
The installation took place at 8 A.
M, In recitation room of the col
lege. In this room were seated the
faculty and the students, the minis
ters of the town churches, a magis-
trate, and the County Clerk, the last
two officials being necessary to the
ceremonial. General Lee was in
Quoted into the room by the Board of
Trustees. At his entrance and intro
duction all in the room rose, bowed,
and then. became seated. PRAYER by
Rev. DR.. White, pastor of the Pres
byterian Church, directly followed.
10 me 1t was noticeable fact, and
perhaps worthy of record, that he
prayed for the President of the United
States. Altogether it was a most fit
tln& and impressive prayer.
JUDGE BRoCKENBRoUGH's SPEECH
The prayer ended, Judge Broken
brough, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees, stated the object of their
coming together, to install General
Lee as President of Washington Col
'lege. He felt the serious dignity of
the occasion, but it was seriousness
and dignity that should be mingled
with heartfeltjoy and gladness. Pass
ing q brief eulogy upon General Lee,
and congratulating the board and the
college, and its present and future
Students. on having obtained one so
loved, and great, and worthy to pre-
side over the college; he said he could
say great deal more, had,it not been
voted against speech-making Du-
ring the delivery of these few words,
and they came, despite the prohibi-
tory Yoslng, very near eliminating to
the dignity Of a vet as well as eloquent
speech. 4
GENERAL LEES APPEARANCE
Lee remained standing, his arms uui-
city folded, and calmly and steadfastly
looking into the eyes of the speaker
Justice William White, at the instance
of Judge Brockenbrough, now admin
istered the oath of office to General
Lee. For the benefit OF. those curious
to know the nature of this new oath
to which General Lee has just sub
scribed, and as it is brief, I give it en-
tire. It is as follows
The OATH.-I do swear that I will.
to the best of my skill and Judgment,
faithfully and truly discharge the du-
ties required of me by an act entitled
can act for incorporating the rector
and trustees of I.iha::sy Hall Acade:
my, without favor, affection or par
tiality. So help ne God.
The KEYS GIVEN TO TEE New PRE-
sIDENT. this oath General Lee at
once affixed his signature, with the
accompanying usual jurat of the
swearing magistrate appended. Those
lnquisitive enough to seek further
light than that revealed hathc copied
oath, can look at the actatherein re-
ferred TO, and,' when found, make a
note OF 1t. Tie document, in the
form stated, was handed to the Coun-
ty Clerk for safe and perpetual custo-
dlanship, and at the same time the
keys OF the college were given by the
President con +, 11ot cl, n