Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-09
VIRGINIA NEWS.

INAUGURATION OF GENERAL LEE.-At the open
ing of the session Monday last I'D instantly the
Board of Trustees, Faculty and Students OF Wash
ingtOn College assembled at the appointed hour to
witness the Inauguration of General Robert +. Lee
Nothing could Surpass the simplicity OF the cere-
monies on the occasion.
The Hon John W. Brockenbrough, Rector,
called the meeting TO order. Colonel james X
Edniendson, Secretary Of the Board, called the
roll, and the Rector announced that quorum was
in attendance. Rev. William 5. White, D. D.,
Pastor of tie Lexington Presbyterian Church,
was invited to make the Introductory prayer,
which be did in the most appropriate style.
Afte. few remarks from the Rector be stated
the object of the meeting, namely, the i augura
ton OF the President elect. This consisted in n
simple administration of the "Cath of office, y
which was done by William White, Esq, Justice
of the Rockbridge County Court. he Board then
adjourned, and the Faculty proceeded at once to
the organization Of classes and other prepare
tions for the regular business of the institution.
At General Lees request the ceremonies Of the
occasion were ma de as private, as brief, and as
transformations: as possible.-Lerington Gdsette,
Octc6er 4h.
Mr. DAVIS AND THE LADIES OF VIRGINIA.
To his ErceHency ANDREW JOHNSON, President Of
the United States:
SIR: We, the ladies of Lynchburg Virginia,
worthy daughters, we trust, of the Old Dominion,
present ourselves as petitioners before YOU. We
come, Mr.. President with no unmeaning words, nor
to urge aught that has not already been said in
behalf of him for whom this petition has
been presented but with hearts burdened with
sense of the solemnity of our cause, we ask for
mercy for the distinguished prisoner Jefferson
Davis, the beloved and honOred President Of
the late Confederate States. He has only done
what thousands in this Southern land hsve done.
He was their chO ell leader-the representative of
principles they deemed sacred Will you not be
as,1
to him full, flee pardon, and return Inn to the
boom OF his wIetched family! In all ages of
the world the voice of woman has been heard
above the storm OF passion and OF hate; let 1t now
prevail, and bring with it mercy fer him who,
when power was in his hands showed himself
merciful.
Mercy is on attribute OF God himself
And earthly power doth them show likest Gods
When Mercy seasons Justice.
We do pray for mercy.
And hatsame prayer doth teach Us all TO render
The deeds of mercy"
We, the women Of the South, have been the
greatest sufferers by this desOIating wa. Our
beautiful our brave, have fallen, never TO gladden.
our hearts again. We sent them forth with bless.
ings on them and babe them battle for what they
honestly believed was their nalenable rght-that
of self.government. If we have, in your iudg-
ment, erred Mr.. President, have We not suffered
enough to eXpate any fault? Oh, will you not
pour te palm 81 lueiCl on our CIusneu anu DleIu-
ing hearts listen to the wall that finds an echo i'll
every true woman's heat; grant our prayer, and
set the captive free?
Sir when the hour of death comes aud it must
come 10 ALL this deed of mercy will stand by yon
as an angel, and brighten your passage along the
dark valley of death. You will have the appro
baton of the world and the testimony of your
own conscience, which will bring you joy and
peace and your petitioners viii ever pray, etc.
Mira. JUDGE d. A. WILSON,
Mrs JOHN 81 SPEED,
Mrs GENERAL RODES,
Mrs II. S. BOC0CK,
Mis-. WIN. r. MOSBY,
and 800 others.
IEFANTICIDE.- Report says that some of the ne
gro women about Danville have destroyed their
infant children recently. The military authorities
arrested some of them on this charge. We are
not surprised at this-indecd it Is nothing more
than those well acquainted with the negro race,
their habits and instincts would expect. When
left to provide for themselves and th.ir Offspring,
the negroes will assuredly relapse into state of
semi. barbarian, even though in proximity to the
white race.-RegiSter Of 9Th.