The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-06-01
TO, THE PUBLIC.

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a subject Of vital importance to the insti-
tuition, and OF deep and affecting interest to
the community. By a se:ies OF circum-
and which it would be now unayailing and
therefore unnecessary. to discuss, the az
fairs of the Academy have fallen into a
disastrous condition. Having never pos.
sesed any endowment, or any other pro-
perry than the house and lot now in oc-
cupanCy, the trustees have had to provide
for the repairs OF the building, and in some
instances, for the deficiency Of salary to
the teachers, by their own private contri-
buttons. More generally, however, a re-
sort has been bad 10 loans, for supplying
the recurring deficits of each year. In
Ibis way, the arrearage OF debt has now
accumulated nearly to the sum of a thou
sand dollars; due, principally to the Bank
OF Alexandria. This debt was incurred
| before the present board Of trustees came
| into Office; but upon them it devolves TO
| provide if possible. the means of extIn-
gushing it !; and it bias now been of so
long standing, that the payment Of it can
be postponed no longer. elf a satisfacto-
ry arrangement of the debt be not made
by the 18th June next, A sale OF the pro-
! perry will be required"
1t remains for the public to decide whe-
ther the academy is to preserve its exis-
| tence or to sink under the pressure of its
| present difficulties. For the purpose O
ascertaip,ng this guest n, a subscription
| paper will be presented to the citizens
generally, for their signatures holding out
| to their option the two alternatives, either
OF attempting the resascitation OF the aca-
deny on its present foundation, by paying
off the present debt, and furnishing a sur
plus for repairs and other %exigencies. or OF
disposing OF the present establishment,
and erecting a new building on different
site.
Whether this subject be viewed by US
as parents, or as members OF society, it has
an affecting claim upon our solicilude and
exertions. 1t is not necessary, in order to
plead its cause, to urge the obvious and
important benefits of education. Know
ledge is the source of virtue, and virtue is
the great base Of the pyramid which sup.
ports our civil and social institutions, and
IN which Depend. essentially, The welfare
and happiness Of man in this world, as
we'll as his ultimate welfare in that eternal
existence, to which, as an immortal and
accountable being he is destined.
And next in Importance 10 education
itself, is the advantage OF having our chill.
dren trained up under our W immediate
inspection. In the ductile season Of youth
they require that constant, untiring vigi-
lance and admonition, which nothing but
parental sollcitude can supply, to guard
them from the insidious encroachments by
which vice, under the destinations Of a
false but loved example, or under some o.
Their OF its varying and seductive forms,
steals upon the t%houghtless and inexperi-
enced heart.
An education at home is important also,
as it serves to form and cherish those ha-
bits and manners. which are best suited to
the theatre upon which the youthful candi-
date is hereafter 10 perform bis part-cir-
cumstaDces, upon which his success some
times as much depends, as upon the high
err qualities of intellectual or moral excel
leDce.
There is a farther advantage in point of
economy, which recommends a home edu-
cation. To send our sons abroad, requires
the annual expenditure of several hundred
dollars. Let only one half the amount
thus expended, be given for the endow-
ment of a seminary at home; and all the
valuable and useful branches of education
would be secured to our children, without
the Inconvenience, injury and risque which
attend upon the present necessity OF send
Ing them to some distant school. The mo-
ney thus devoted, would, also, 60 to build
up the prosperity of our town, instead of
constituting, as it now does, n OF those
many drains by which we impoverlsh our
selves to enrich others.
Combining, then, as the proposition
does, so many and great benefits; appeal
ing as it does, to all our feelings and inte-
rests, as men, as citizens, and as christians;
the hope IS INDUCED, that the public will
not be found backward in affording their
encouragement and assistance. A regard
to the best Interests OF our children, the
love of country and of neighborhood the
importance and prosperity Of the town in
which we live, prompt US TO open our
bands wide and give literally towards
this great and interesting object. Surely
there is enough Of public spirit among US,
enough of wealth, of literary taste, OF mo-
raj feeling, that is sound and active, to
place the Alexandra academy upon a foot
ing which may serve 10 rally around it an.
encreased patronage, and which may Sc
cure to it a prosperity ard responsibility,
in soae degree correspondent TO the great
design of its institution, and to the dignity
and duty OF those who are now called up
on to transmit, unimpaired to future gene
rations the trust committed to us BY its We
nerable founders.
In behalf OF the Trustees of the Alex