The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-13
Rithmond Qispattk.
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER -, 1866.
Further from the Lexington Celcbra.
tion-A Fine Dinner-N m e O n
Speeches-The Cadets at their Fun
A HOp-General Grants Letter.
LEXINGTON, September II, lS6
From our Special Corresi ondent.


tions that ever dawned upon them. That
it was so regarded was plainly indicated
by the satisfaction and delight everywhere
prevalent. This was occasioncd by the
signs of returning prospcrity-not only re-
turning prosperity, but indubitable proofs
that the future of the institutions located
here must be brighter than the past; that
there will be wider field and larger pa
tronage for them than heretofore. This is
shown, not only by the number that are
now here, but by the extremes from which
they come. In both the institutions there
are pupils from the extremes of the Union.
In the Institute We had Massachusetts and
Louisiana occupying the same room.
Southern men are more than ever con-
vinccd that we must educate our own
childrcn-that we must not allow them to
be brought up in error either as to the
past or present history of this country
that this is demanded by justice to history
and to truth and Justice to the nation. 1t
would be seriously detrimental to the ma
tional character were it made to appear
that the South fought the late bloody war
without reason or pretcXt, and that her
people were capricious, factious, and tur-
bulent. 1t is but just to the generous and
noble youth of the South to say that they
have an unutterable adherence of sub
mitting to the teachings Of those who
would cast opprobrium upon their country
and dciame the good name and character
of their fathers and brothers. Never, no
never, will they listen to the voice Of such
false teachers, nor imbibc knowledge and
opinions from their equally false and de-
luSivc books.
! stated that, after the ceremony of the
installation Of the statue Of Washington,
the excellent Grafton Of Governor Letcher,
and the exceedingly appropriate and
timely address to the students by
General Smith the superintendent, the
cadets, with number of guests, par
took of very fine dinner. General
Smith presided, assisted by Major
Preston, Colonel Williamson, and Colo
mel Massic, Of the Institute. Among the
guests were the venerable DR.. Plumcr,
Governor Letcher, Adjutant- General Rich
ardson, Colonel G. w. Boiling, Judge
Brockenbrough, Mr.. William l.. Owen, Of
Halifax; Mr.. Cabcll, Of this senatorial dis
trict Colonel Pendlcton, Of one Of the
Alabama regiments during the war Colo
mel Chilcs, of Columbia, S. c.; Colonel
McGuinee, of Alabama; Mr.. Clarke, of
the Mobile Register, and several professors
of the Washington College and the 1nsti-
tutc.
The entertainment was excellent, and
partook of highly festive character not
withstanding that there was no beverage
stronger than water but that was the
clear, bright water that gushcs from the
grand mountains, and was fit for libations
to the gods themselves.
However, there was some strange ma
nGuvring just preceding the dinner, of a
private and mysterious character. Colonel
Chilcs, of South Corolna, had great many
friends. Nobody seemed to dislike to walk
with South Carolina-nay, they seemed to
be rather proud of it. All were ready to
"see " the Colonel and "go him better"
He was large man, and his admirers con-
sidcred him an inhabitant of North Ame-
rica, sometimes conining himself to Co.
lumbia. Hail Columbia! Long live ChilcS.
At an early stage Of the gSpc the boys
took the mess hall under tk6r direction,
having for the nonce dethroned General
Smith. In his admirable address to them
he had demonstrated with them against
the cruel and unusual punishments Of the
initiation" But the sounds of his voice
had hardly died upon the echoes of the
mountains when they fell upon their own
guests and took them through course Of
treatment that they will not forget soon.
Not satisfied with bringing them down to
"toast water" they called, and called,
and called. Every one they set upon had
to run the gauntlet of speech making.
imagine they arc not done calling yet. 1t
were no use to attempt to resist the call.
! believe they could compel spirits from
the Vastly deep, though Colonel Chlles can
call up better kind Of spirit than they :
These young rebels made of their guests,
all, what they term "minks," 1. G., new
cadets, and put them through as
such. The term "rat " was formerly ap-
piled. The change shows an advancement
in the scale ;of animals which is cncou-
raging. Let me advise my young friends
in their study of natural history and the
selection of types suited to their tastes
never to cultivate familiarity with the
"tigcr." lie is dangerous animal. They
would be much better off, also, if they
kept altogether clear Of the "mule," or
that kind of one found in Lexington.
1t would make this letter too long to en-
ter into details as to what took place at
the dinner. Speeches were made by Ge-
neral Richardson, Colonel Boiling, Mr..
Cabell, Judge BrockenbrougE, Major
Preston, Colonel Massie, and DR.. Plumer,
which last was the happicst of all, and l
AIN sure none of the speakers will take
umbrage at the comparison. DR.. Plumer,
whose prayer preceding Governor Letch-
er's Grafton yesterday was remarkable for
its eloquence and peculiar appropriate
ness, was most justly introduced to the
audience by General Smith as one Of the
earliest and warmest friends" Of the In
stitute. His speech showed the warmth
of his attachment to the Institute and to
Washington College, of which he is an
alumnus. The village is dear to him for
his early "reminiscences here and his brief
sojourn amongst his old aud fast friends
has given him great pleasure. The main
point of his very happy effort was to dis
courage jealousy between the two great
schools here, and to prove how entirely
mutual and reciprocal were their true in
terests, and that they could best succeed
by harmonious and cordial relations. We
may remark that this rcmonstrance was
suggested more by the sentiment Of the
past than the present time. Under the
urbane and wise administration of General
Lee and General Smith, aided by the pro-
fessors of the two institutions, their rela-
tions are of the most agreeable and reci-
procal character. In the course Of the
speeches yesterday, interesting illusions
were made TO the fact that while General
Lee presided over Washington College,