Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-09-22
RcInauguration Of the statue Of wash
,aa,nn NJ the Virginia Military lnsti-

rbe Lexington Gazeite says: "The
S,,ne oi n sshIDglOn. faithful copy OF
t,,,,,l,n,. that sands in the Ru,unda Of
the Cspno at Richmond. was re.inangu-
,,,ed on rhr l0.h lhstan, at the Virginia
Military Institute. It's well known TO
our readers that this statue was removed
by Genera, Hunter in June. 1864. when,
in bis Valley campaign, he erected monu.
ments 10 his vandalism aud barbarily in
every county on his route BY the deslruc-
lion of public and private property.
The proceedings were opened by an
eloquent prayer from the Rev. DR.. Plum
er.
Governor Letcher vas then presented
10 the audience ly General Smith, and
delivered an elegant and eloquent adj
dress, and thus aIlude> to Ihr destruction
OF the Institute and the removal OF the
Statue 10y Gen ID. Hunter.
Tins statue, thus formed and fashioned
by hubard-paced here by the order OF
tue General Assembly OF EIrglnla-lis
erection superinrended BY her chief mag
isrrale, in person-retained liz POSITION
until the memorable I3Ih day of June,
1851. The day previous, the Federal
army, under the command Of Gen. David
Hunter IA Viz, inian, by bIIh entered
Lexington. and in less than twenty fou
hvars afcr he had took possession, the
beautiful aud imposing buildings of the
Virginia Military Institute were in ashes,
having been first despolled of the PhiIo-
sophlcal and Chemical Apparatus, and
robbed Of all that could he appropriated
as uophies-Genera HunIer being on
the spot, upeIln,endtAg HE burning in
per on and all tins or Holy Sabbath
morning Under his superintendent
tbs statue wish It's tablet wac dlsn'acrd
from the pedestal and removed 10 Wheel
ing. in West Virginia. There it remain
ed, until The Legislature of that Stale (aIl
honor /, il for the noble deed :! direct
ed its return to its appropriate P lace.
The spri, nhich marked the conduct
OF General Hunter on that occasion, was
IN admirable harmony with that splriI
which varied on the arts and literature
Ul The h century, in Tive Roman Emplre,
and has secured for hin an immortality,
that will be as enduring aud undying, as
attaches 10 him who burned the temple OF
Ephesus. Some men court nOtnriety--and
steuIlerly indifferent TO the character OF
thai nolorieIy. Whether General HunleT
is one OF this class know not. But GER
tain II is, if he was in quest Of nOloIety,
when he came here at the head of the
army, he has abundant reason to he salts
fed win the brilliant success which has
attended his efforts. No Virginian will
ever forget either his nativity or his name
"While the earth bears plant or the sea
rolls wave"
The exeCralion which has followed the
destruction OF this Institution. should ad
mOnlsn all military leaders, to slear clear
Of war upon arts, sciences and literature.
The destruction OF Institutions Of lea,n-
ing, never has, and never can add any
thing TO the power, and influence, and re-
speciality of an army. 1t never has
produced practical results, in bringing a
war TO a close, Or relieving 1t Of lis hor-
TUrs.
On the same neverto be-forgolien day,
WASHINGTON College, endowed by The
immortal Father Oi his County, was
sackeG-iIS apparatus demolished, lis IL
bIarles DESTROYED, its buildings detaced,
and preparations were made for giving il
also to the dev0uring element. "A sober
second thought. and it was spared.
And here let me do justice 10 two OF
tie officers IN that army, who did not
hesitate 10 condemn in decided language,
the destruction Of this properly. | sIlude
10 Generals AverllI and Crook, soldiers
by education and By profession, who had
been taught to respect arts and literature.
science and learning. Their indepen-
dence IN condemulDg the outrage com
nanded ihe respect, and won the grail-
tUde Of our own people, and OF all right
minded men throughout the State aud the
nation. Now that the war is ended and
peace has been proclaimed, it is not
matter OF surprise, that these officers
should now be found in the ranks OF HE
supporters OF President Johnson, using
tner influence and employing their ei-
forts TO secure The restoration OF the Uni
on. and to revive the era Of harmony and
good will between the sections recently
srTayeG IN battle against each other.
"They prefer 10 act with those who are
righi now, even il they were once wrong,
father than with those who were once
hight, and are now wong" They pre-
fer that The past shall be forgotten, IN Or
DER that 'he country may have future.