The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-11-01
Installation Or Gen. Lee.

cent, was installed PRESIDENT OF NV ashlng,
ton College, Virginia, on the End inst. il
had been proposed to have the installation
take place in the college chapel, to have q
bandof music to play senlivening airs, ia
have young girls, robed in white aud bear
ing chap'ets Of flowers, to sing songs o.
welcome to have congratulatory speeches
\ to make il a graad holiday That this pro.
posed programme was not carried out was
q source Of severe disappointment to many,
But Gen. Lee had expressed his wishes to
the contrary, and his desires we're complied
with. i]s3 ila 5000 q 9Aaf
The installation took place at nine A. NJ
int "a recitation room Of the college, In this
room we're seated the faculty and th e stu
dents, the ministers Of the town and chur.
ches, a magistrate and the county clerk, the
last two officials being necessarysto the GER
emonial. General Lee was indicted into the
room by the Board of Trustees. At his en-
trance and introduction all III the room rose,
bowed and became seated. Prayer by Rev.
Dr.. White, pastor of the Presby terrain
church, directly followed. 84t 4,I;tf}a 81
The prayer ended, Judge Brockenbrough,
chairman of the Board Of Trustees, stated
the object of coming together. He felt the
serious dignity ofthe occasion. but it was a
seriousness and a dignity that should be min
gled with heartfelt joy aud gladness. Pass
ing a brief eulogy upon General Lee, and
congratulating the board and the college,
and its present and future students, on hav-
ing obtained one so loved and great and
worthy to preside over the college, he said
he could say great deal more, had it not
been voted against speech making. Il sa
Sd General Lee remained standing, bis arms
quietly folded and camly and steadfastly
hooking into the eyes of the speaker. JUS
tice William White, at the instance Of
Judge Brockenbrough, now administered the
oath OF Office to General Lee. b
A correspondent of the N. Y. Herald
gives on account Of the ceremonies, and Of
various other circumstances connected with
the event. From that letter we make the
following extracts: slaIs ID
General Lee was dressed in a plain but
elegant suit of grey, His appearance indi-
Gated the enjoyment Of good health better,
| should say, than when he surrendered his
army at Apponattox Court House, the
first and only occasion before the present of
my having seen him. His looks and bearing
have been often and infinitely described, and
Twill not dwell upon them here. Most pic
lures Of him on exhibition come up to the
average Of fidelity Of this class Of Licensees.
On the l4th tflast month General Lee
made his first appearance here. He came
on horseback, alone and unattended, and
riding the dark gray horse he rode most OF
the time during the war and at his surren-
der. A soldiers affection he evidently has
for this fayorite steed. This horseback ride
extended over hundred miles from Cum
berland county, where he and his family
have been staying for some time, and where
his family IS still sojourniDg. What must
have been his thoughts on this ride, and
wbata theme such q veritable aud distin-
guished solitary horseman would have been
for novelist James. It was the intention to
open the college term two weeks ago, when
General Lee first came; but the backward
state ofrepairs prevented it. All the trus-.
tees nineteenth number, were. then present,
and postponed the college opening till to-
day. These returned to their homes again,
while General Lee went to- Roxbridge
Springs, where he remained till yesterday.
49a NJ
A gentleman with whom have convers-
ed, and who saw General Lee and heard
him talk and express freely his opinions
about national affairs nearly every day 5of
his sojourn at Roxbridge Springs spoke Of
him as the most modest and unassuming man
he ever encountered, and yet, while frank,
most firm in giving his views. He coun
sells cheerful submission to the government
and earnest striving to bring about the old
state Of peace, industry. thrift and content.
He has the greatest confidence in. President
johnson and the good will and equitable
wishes and Intentions Of the Government
and the Northern people in carrying out the
scheme demonstration. =
A fine two story brick house, with mas
sive portico and pillars in front and having
two wings, and on the same row with the
College buildings, is to be the future resi-
dence Of Gen. lee. 1t has acapacio1s yard,
beautifully Shaded with oak, elm and locust
trees, and fine hedge-row of cedars. It is
a fitting place for scholarly ease and philo
sophie content. At present the General is
stopping at the Lexington Hotel iu town,
1t is expected that he will move with his
family into his new residence about the last
Of this mouth. And here we leave'him in
his home that is to be, secluded and shaded
and hedred about by imposing mountains,
and miles away from railroads, and With
never alongiug thought, doubtless, for the
great outer world and its more enticiDg and
splendid prizes.
Hen-A Washington correspondent Of the
Chicago Times, who processes to speak aul
thoritatively, has the following. 81
s / believe there is authority for saying that
the days Of the Freedmsn's Bureau are mum.
bered, and that it will soon be abolished.
1t is, beyond all doubt, the greatest bumbug
of modern times, and has been found to be
an engine Of great wrong and oppression. 4
yeA. An officer who served on StoneHall