The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-04-08
The Columbus Female Institute.

regard which the cause of education is re-
ceiving from every portion Of the land. We
seldom open paper without perceiving the
signs of public spirited interest either in the
establishment or prosperity of seminaries of
learning, reckoned as they now are, as an
indispensable feature of every enlightened
and enterprsing community. The extent
and business of place has long ceased to
be the ouly indication of its prosperity, the
character and condition of its schools being
now regarded as the surest test. So gener-
al and powerful are the influence of these
considerations as to unite in the common
cause of local institutions, all classes of citi-
Zens, from the moral and social philanthro-
pist to the sagacious SPECTATOR in town prop
erty. Such being the moral as well as
economic Importance of this subject, we can
not too frequently, or too earnestly, invoke
the interest and solicitude Of our public in
behalf of the deserving and well regulated
seminary situated in our midst. Its very
origin inspires it with something of a sacred
claim. 1t stands as the monument of the
enlightened wisdom and public spirit of one
whose memory is all that's left us, and who,
interested as he was, in all that related to
the permanent prosperity of Columbus, rich
ly earned the title of public benefactor in
this the last and brightest result of his la
bors.
As to the endowment, management, and
capabilities of usefulness of the Female In
stitute, it will compare with any similar
seminary. The patronage and good will of
the community is all that is required to
make it a copious source of blessing, alike
creditable to the reputation, and conducive
to the social as well as commercial prosperi-
ty of our city. The South has been admon-
ished by the voice of reason, and the lessons
Of experience, to foster her own institutions
of every kind, especially those which relate
to the vital interests of social education, and
hence we see every other community aroused
on the subject. Why should we neglect
our OwnS Patriotism as well as policy, So
Der reflection no less than parental instinct,
exhort US to avoid course of conduct by
which our State is exhausted of its wealth
for the false boast of a foreign education, in
volying not only unnecessary expense, and
actual loss of our domestic wealth, but the
still greater evils which follow the removal
of daughter from the moral and moulding
influences of the family circle. The sue
cess of our own Institution has removed all
apologies which the past may have offered
for so suicidal a couse, and leaves every pa
rent to decide the simple question whether
he will prefer his own, to the interest of a
stranger-whethcr he will cherish his own
daughter, or doom her to social orphanage
by an unnecessary, expensive, and unnatural
exile.
Such are some of the more general con-
siderations which recommend the Female
Institute to the patronage of the public,
identified as it is with the reputation of our
city, and connected with that southern econ
Omy which nourishes the interests of home.
AS regards the claims ofthe Institute itself, We
have remarked that it will proudly compare
with any other of similar character 1t is
under the general supervision of an able and
efficient board of trustees, who can never
fail to feel a lively responsibility for its rep
utation, success and usefulness. The char
acter and attainments of its Principal are
highly suited to his laborious and honorable
sphere Accomplished in scholarship, firm
but judicious in discipline, untiHng in indus
6 try, and strictly exemplary in department
he unites all the qualifications of a compe
tent, faithful, and popular instructor. H
is at all times assisted by corps of prof
cient teachers in every branch of study
If less regard is paid by the Principal to tn
exterior demonstrations sometimes produced
he is the more engagedin that patient discir
q line necessary to thorough education of tn
- mind This is the aim of his instruction
and the object Of his ambition, conceiving
as he justly does, that a higher obligatio
St rests upon him, than the specious routine {
" gaudy display, to which too many fcmal
10 teachers alone aspire. Such is the Instit,
ton confded to the care of this communit,
a the question to be settled is, are we worth
80 of it?