Southern telegraph., 1838-04-17
ADDRESS.

Tur general interest which this occasion
has awakened, is sufficient evidence OF the
Importance which belongs tot. we bcheid
around us the pious and venerable men wh"
minister at the sacred altar; We behold the
aged, the wise, and the good-men whom
society delights 20 honor; we behold i;i-
theirs whose bOsoms are swelling with
parental hopes, and here, too, are the youth
who are the cherished objects OF these hopes.
All-all. have forgotten tor while, the bu-
sv concerns Of life, and have come up this
morning, to this infant temple OF science, to
bear witness to the interest which they feel
in this days so!cmnities. 1t is not to pro-
nounce the praises Of some popal,r idol,
whose gliltering hon,rs. of to-day may be
faded and forgotten Tomorrow; nor is 1t to
relate the spirit-slirrins events which are
interviewer with the history of oar country.
Our duties, if they appeal less powerfully
to the feelings, may not say with truth, are
of higher and more permanent importance.
We have assembled as the friends of SCI
ence, deeply impressed with the importance
of general education, as the best means,
next to The pure precepts OF our holy rch-
gion, of elevating our social, moral, and po-
Iiical conditions; but more especially have
we met on this occasion, to invest with the
igh'au,horiiy and the solemn responsible
ties of their offices, two of the Professors OF
this Institution. This day contcrs upon
them trust as dignified and exalte /, ss it is
artluous and respo. sible. This day, they
are recognized by these public ceremonies,
as the instructors, the counselors, the ex-
emplars of our youth. Tue building up OF
the human mind, the development of its
high and noble faculties, ne government
and right direction of the mo-al feelings
these are "a part of their duties: and as they
enter upon discharge of them, may they
remember that an accountability has begun
which may not end with time.
1t has devolved on me, upon this occasion,
as the organ of the Board of Trustees, to
lay before this assembly brief history of
the origin. progress, and present condition
Of this Instituiisn. In the performance of
this duty, but little more will be necessary,
than to make a plain exhibition of those
facts which will afford the most importan, in
formation in relation to this subject. Until
within very recent period, the opportuni-
ties for instruction in our State, have been
lamentabIy deficient. The few attempts
which were occasionally made to establish
sea,naries Of learning ola higher order,were
almost entirely unsuccessful; and the only
literary advantages which could be obtained
were those afforded by our neighborhood
schools, which were generally conducted
by incompetent teachers; and will my Ian
guage be called too strong, ifd add that ma
ny OF them were but little better than mere
nurseries of idleness and vices
1t became necessary, therefore. to de-
pend, in great degree, upon other States
for the advantages of education. But the
numerous and obvious difficulties which pre-
scented themselves to the attainment Of an
education in this way, excluded a Iaroe
majority of our youth from a partic;nat;on
IN its benefits; while the many and various
evils to which they were exposed during their
temporary exile, gave to it objections of in
superable weight. Under these circum-
stances, as the wealth ard population of our
State increased, feeling favorable to its
emancipation from dependence so re-
proachlul and Illuminating, began to spring
up IN the public mind, and an anxiety was
manifested by many of our citizens, to build
up within our own borders, seminaries of
learning, which should afford to the RISING
generation the best opportunities Of instruc,
''on. Among the first fruits Of private lib.
crafty and Of decisive feeling upon this
subject, was the establishment of this Tnst;.
tuition, concise history of which proceed
to give. r-oo1
The propriety, or rather, the expectancy
OF establishing this seminary of Iearn;nu'
was nrst agitated at a meeting of tie Mis-
s'ss,pp. Presbytery, held at Baton Rouge.
IN April, 1879. No decisive step. however.
was taken IL relation to it, until January
1881, when a fall meeting of the Education
Society OF Presbytery was held at Rethel
Church, Claiborne county, Mississippi. AL
.n's meeflng, report was made bv tho
rev. nlr. CnAsE, embracing facts which de-
monstrated IN strong and conclusive man
ner,'ne necessity which existed for the es-
taol'snment Of "nn Institution which conld
.urn'sh 70 the rising generation sn;fai,lo
training tor the high Representatives. wh;nh
were soon to devolve upon them }, Pie
undertaking, howevef,was Waved mid, Az -
rust and was regarded as ( 1ro;ec, crea s,iI
co,oo, osssreo ratt'er than as likely 10 be ac-
hoa 'p''snea. The abortive attempts which
"s = cl'en been previously made. we're
remembered S g with apprehension and ,.e -,
J y g oninous 81 the fale of s;r,;1.
H. II il Rarnles G;;ssIIas 49,, s.si