Letter to Lemuel Chenoweth

Scope and content:

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Virginia Military Institute
Feb 21st 1857

Dear Father
It is needless for me to say that I have not received anything from you in the [illegible] of a letter during the extraordinary period (three month nearly) which has intervened since you wrote last. You have -- I have no doubt -- good reasons for this failure upon your part to write, I take it for granted at least -- and will not enquire into their nature. But really, I do not see why you can not appropriate a few moments, occasionally, to letter-writing. To me at least, it is by no means a disagreeable occupation, especially when I have no bad news to communicate.

"I am well, and am getting along very well with my studies." You will perhaps be puzzled to find out why I enclosed the above sentence with quotation marks. You need not be, if you examine the letters which you have received from me, from time to time, you will find that this same sentence occurs in nearly all, besides -- it is perhaps the best line, with respect to its "subject matter" that will be contained by this letter. Therefore, I distinguish it from the commonplace remarks by which it is surrounded. Since I entered, a student, at this Institution, I have been doubly blessed, I have enjoyed excellent health, and my laudable ambition has been gratified in some manner. Yes it is a laudable ambition, that ambition which makes me yearn to excel here in intellectual improvement, in all that makes man, -- a man in the highest, truest, noblest, sense of the term! Ambition, of a different kind is a dangerous thing; that ambition which rears [illegible] of despotism upon the ruins of Liberty, Justice and the rights of man; or climbs to the highest pinnacle of Fame, over the bones of murdered millions; that species of ambition, the gratification of which, "damned Napoleon Bonaparte into everlasting fame" is hellborn, and its tendency is and ever has been hellwards! On the other hand that ambition which when gratified, made a Washington, a Webster and a Clay, established and supported Liberty, upon the broadest foundations, and terrified all Tyrants, is heavenborn, its possessors stand unique and alone, the only mortals truly great, overleap Fame's polluted mount, and soar in the pure ether beyond, ever pointing heavenwards. These are but few names purely immortal, which will be remembered with [illegible] feelings of reverence and love by the truly good until the latest generations. Alas, there are too many merely notorious names, names which will be remembered only to curse until the last trump shall awaken the dead [ ]!!. With Cicero I am led to exclaim "Oh times, oh customs!"; the very Senate chamber, in which, the immortal Clay was wont to move the multitude to tears, or animate the thousands with his own passion, is now polluted by the whispers of corruption or bribery. Sumner stands upon the same floor upon which he stood, and contaminates the atmosphere with his huge libels upon the venerable Butler. Oh! departed shades of our ancestors, was Clay and Webster the last of their race? Has patriotism become extinguished? Is there nothing left of "the age of bronze"? Will the black chains of tyranny be our portion at last? Oh! no, Say not, the pleasant memories of yourselves forbid it, the hopes of your posterity forbid it, and all the good ones of the earth forbid it, the animated eloquence of Keit forbid it and the still fresh though sad memory of Brooks, forbids it. But hold, my pen is running away with me, I did not intend to become so enthusiastic upon this subject. How did my standing at Jan. please you? Answer in your next if you was pleased with it, I am happy.

When you write again I wish you would let me know whether I ought to get a furlough suit or not, it will cost in all about $40, if you can spare this much, I will be much pleased, if not I can do very well without it. I shall be so much pleased to visit you that I will care nothing for clothes, the Cadets generally buy one,

Write soon
Your Affectionate Son
Jas H. Chenoweth

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859
Correspondence

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