Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1865-11-10
GEN. LEES INSTALLATION AS PRESIDENT
OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE.

IA correspondent VI tHc NE" Ofk her
ali, writingto that journal upon the 7th
inst, gives most interesting account of
the Ceremonies which accompanied the re.
cent installation Of Gen. Lee as President
of Washington College. Some important
information is added as to the views of this
illustrious man upon the present aspect of
our national affairs. We condcnse the ar.
ticle, which is rather too long for our col
umns, at this busy season of the year:
General Robert E. Lee was to day installed
President of the Washington College.
There was no romp Of parade. The ex.
ercises of installation was the simplest pos
sible-an exact, and barren compliance
with the required formula of taking the
oath by the new President, and nothing
more. This was in accordance with the
special request o: General Lee. 1t was
proposed to have the installation take place
in the college chapel, to send invitations
far and wide, to. have a band of music to
play enlivening airs, to have young girls
roeed iu white bearing chaplets OF flowers,
to sing songs Of welcome, to have congrat-
ulatory speeches, to make it grand holi-
day. That this proposed programme was
not carried out was source Of severe dis
appointment to many. But General Lee
had expressed his wishes contrary to the
choice and determination Of the college
trustees and the multitude, ana his wishes
were complied with.
! THE INSTALLATION CEREMONIES.
The installation took place at a. M, in
a recitation room of the coIlege:~ In this
room were Stated the faculty and tie stu
dents, the ministers Of the town churches,
magistrate and the county clerk, the
last two officials Icing necessary to. the
ceremonial. General Lee was inducted n:
20 the room by the Board of Trustees. At
his entrance and introduction all in the
room rose, bowed and became seated
Prayer by the Rev. Or. White, pastor of
the Presbyterian Church, directly followed.
10 1ne it was noticc9h!e. fact, and per
haps worthy OF record, that he prayed for
the Presden. Of The United States. Al
together it was most fitting AMI impres.
sise prayer.
JUDGE BaocKESnRouGHs sl'kEcn.
The prayer added, Judge Brocken-
brongh, chairman of the Board o! Tr,ls-
tees, stated the Object Of their coming to-
gether. 10 install General Lee as President
of Washington College: He felt the Sc
rious dignity OF tie occasion. but it was n
seriousness anu dignity that ,shouLl be
mingled with hea''f"l joy and glajncss.
Passing brief eul Wy upon General Lee,
and copgratu!ating the board and the col
lege, and It's present and future students,
on having obtained one 80 loved and great
and worthy to.presije over the college, be
said he could say great deal more, had i,
not been voted against speech making.
During the delivery Of these few words
and they came, despite the prohibitorg 70
rng very near eliminating to the dignity
Of BET as we'll as ell qucnt speech. =.
| GENERAL LEES APPEARANCE.
General Lee remained standing, his arms
quietly folded and calmly and steadlaAly
looking into the eyes of the speaker. Jus
tics William White, at the instance Of
Judge Brockenbrough, then administered
the oath Of office to General Lee. For
the benefit Of these curious to know the
nature Of the new oath tos which General
Lee has just subscribed, and as it is brief
we give it entire. It is as follows:
THE OATH.
do swear that l will, to the best of nv
skill and Judgment faithfully and truly
discharge the duties required Of me by IN
act entitled ".An act for Incorporating the,
rector and trustees of. liberty Hall Acad.
envy" without favor, affection or partiali,y.
So help me God.
| TIE GINERiL ON NATIONAL AyPAIRs.
A gentleman with whom l have con-
versed, and who saw General Lee and
heard him talk and express freely his oplni
ions about national affairs pearIy very.day
OF bis sojourn at Rock Ridge Springs,
spoke of him as the most modest and un.
assuming rnsn be ever encountered, and
yet, while frank, most firm in giving his
views. He counsefs cheerful submission to
the Government and earnest striving to
bring about the old state Of peace. indus.
try, thrift and content. He has the great
est confidence IN sssideut johnson and
the good and equitable wishes and iaten.
! t'ons OF the government apd the. Northern
people, lin carrying: out the scheme of 70.
construction. =.