The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-31
For the New Era.
TO THE TRUSTEES OF PORTSMOUTH

TO FL TRUSTEES OF PORTSMOUTH.
This communication is addressed to YOU, be.
cause you have been selected as fit and proper DER
sons to look after and protect the interests of the
town. IL is Irne, your services are gratuitous:
but as you have accepted the office, you should
faithfully discharge the duties imposed upon Won
That you have neglected much of your duty none
will deny that you have not been vigilent. that
you have not been as careful of the interests of
this community as you might have been. MANY.
with me, Will agree. 1t is high time that the
apathy which exists in your body corporate, and
which is ~diifusing itself among the citizens pen.
orally, should be eradIcated from our midst. Al
though ! find fault with your action, or rather
with your want Of action, yet do not wish IN
bring upon you the censure of our citizens. bu.
simply to remind you of your duties, and to as.
sure you that eve, the people, will not mucb
longer tolerate your neglect. We are not salts.
fed with your meeting together at stated times.
and passing a few unimporlant resolutions. but
we wish 10 see you prominent on all occasions.
and active in every thing calculated to promote
the general welfare of the community. Have
you thus been prominent and active? Let YOUR
conscience answer the question.
This town is greatly in debt-business is al.
most Frustrated. and when an opportunity offered,
by which you could have placed some thousands
of dollars in the Golfers Of the town, you permit
ted it TO pass into other hands, because the TOWN
could not comply with the %proffered conditions
but let it pass we, the people, are satisfied
and ] arm content.
Some time since, the building known as the
Academy was purchased, its present shattered
condition shows plainly how you are guarding the
public property, what object had YOU in view
when The purchase was made? Is it your inten.
ton to permit the building to fall into ruin. or IN
remain untenanted from a fear that some Of the
h~umbUgs Of the day may receive a slight blow bv
the resuscitation Of The Academy Or do Won
deem it impOlitic 10 have an institution of 2 biob
order and rank in Dur community ? Or will il
be more PRoFITABLE that our sons should be sem,
from the town 10 school, and consequently TO hold
out no inducements TO persons al a distance 10
send their sons here7 Time was when this in.
stitution was a credit to your town. Youths from
a distance resorted to ii, and but from your apa-
thy, (you represent the pcople,) it would now
have been in a flourisbing condition.
Gentlemen Trustees, you now own the Acade-
my lot. 1t is IN your power to build up an insi-
tuition which will be an honor to the town and .
credit 10 yourselves. You can do this wi,bou,
taking a dollar from The treasury, or without tay.
ing the people. You can find, at least stndeo,s
enough willing to enter this school, il you will
provide il with competent teachers. Take a liz.
tie trouble, gentlemen, and you will find persons
ready TO enter their SONS, and that 10 q number
amplv So icient 10 remuoerafe a, oen,toman 6
his services You can lhcn secure the services