The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-12
WEDNESDAY,. SEPTEMBER l2, 1866.
Ce1ebr0ti iOn
AT THE
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE,
SEPTEMBER 10. 1866.
THE REINAUGUgATIoN OF THE STATUE OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
GENERAL SMITHS ADDRESS
TO THE CADETS.
From our Special Correspondent.

1
This dav was fixed for the ceremony OF
the rcTnauguration of Ilubard's bronze
statue of Washington, presented TO the
Virginia Military Institute by the ota'e 0,
Virginia. 1t was taken from its pcdesiai
by Major General David Hunter on the
| 18th June, 1861, and by him carried to
West Virginia and given to the govern
mcnt of that State, which, being too con.
scicntious and just to approve and defend
this act of vandalism, voluntarily returned
| il to the Institute; and to-day 1t IS re-
| stored to its pedestal, where it was orlg-
| ually placed by order of the State OF Nir-
gnia, a sacred charge to the Institute, ana
| the object Of the vcncration OF the people
Of the village.
The day when the spoiler came, and
when nc ruthlessly outraged the rig hts and
the devoted affections of this people-thc
day when he carried of the life-like and
almost breathing preSentinent OF the form
and figure of the "Fathcr of his Coun-
try WAS one of woe to the people of
Lexington and Rocktridgc. This day OF
the rcInauguratiOn Of this veneratod
figure, so bright, so peaceful, and SO com
plctcly freed frsm wars alarms, is indeed
in happy contrast to the ever memorable
18th June. Yet, with all the present
cheerful influences OF the contrast the sad
ruins of the hand Of relentless war which
still disfgure the scene occasionally blend
with the joy of the day sentiments not OF
the kindleSt nature.
The view presented to the eye Of the
stranger was one Of rare beauty. The clc-
waited ranges of mountains, which appear
on all sides, seemed to enclose the lovely
valley as does a rich frame the picture
that is within ii. The picture consisted
Of the beautiful village and the surround
ing country with its green fields and peace
ful, checrful homes cmbowcred in trees OF
richest foliage. The centre OF the scene
wasthc barracks of the lnstitutc-the only
sad feature in the bright panorama. And
this the hand of industry is fast changing
back to its original harmony and beauty.
At half.past 10 o'clock the cadets OF the
Institute were formed into line, about l50
in number, under the command OF Colonel
Shipp, and escorted the orator of the day,
cxGovcrnor Lctchcr, the trustees oi the
college, the Board Of Visitors of the lnSti
tute, and the professors of both schools to
the stand, which was erected in front oi
forty or fifty feet in front of this stand,
and on either side of it were seats pre-
pared for the auditors Of the celebration.
The stand was occupied by the orator, the
Rev. DIR. Plumcr, and members OF the
Boards of Visitors OF the two fourlshns
institutions OF the town. Among the
guests General Lee was the observed OF
all observers. The Board of Visitors of
the Virginia Military Institute present
were Adutant- General Richardson, eX-
Governor John Lctchcr, Colonel George
W. Boiling, Of Petersburg; William l..
Owen, ESP, of Halifax, and Colonel NJ. u.
| lIarman, OF Staunton.
Before the stand was occupied the seats
! in front were filled with the Beauty and In
! tcllgence of the town. At ii o'clock the
! Rev. DR.. William S. Plumcr offered up
fcrvcnt invocation TO the Throne of Grace.
Ex- Governor Letcher then delivered an
address IA brief report of which appeared
in the DeSpatch Of yesterday.
After concluding his oration, Governor
Lctchcr addressed the officers and cadets
of the institution, informing them that the
statute was committed to their care to be
by them guarded and protected.
The statue was lnen unCo'cleu anu
found to have received no injury what
ever, although in its translation it is un-
derstood to have been upset, and to have
rolled down precipice probably one hun
drcd feet. Upon its exposition the cheers
of the multitude were vociterous.
The speech of Governor Letcher was
well received and heartily applauded at
its couclusion-the fair hands OF the la-
dies cxcrting themselves with conslde-
rable energy to swell the plaudits Of the
multitude. The cadets added to the
strong expression of applause three hearty
cheers.