Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-07-12
For Loudon Free Press.


columns of your paper, and which makes it a
blessing to all who wish to be edited By read
ing. The stream of time is thickly covered
over with the drift-wood of fiction and romance,
and even the Student at the present day is
never at loss for something to read in that
line. know that the mind requires mental
alment as much as the body does physical, yet
have not the vanity to think that aught l
write will be instructive in this literary age,
when wit and worth, and good books so much
abound. But an interchange of thoughts is
salutary,and to me very agreeable. Correspond
ing with absent friends is one way in which l
very much delight to pursue the phantom of
happiness, which comes to stay with US no
longer than is sufficient to cheer our dropping
spirits a little, then leaves us to plod our way
in the dark. AS it is quite common nowadays
to see in the columns of newspapers charcoal
sketches" of literary schools, which are so
numerous throughout our happy land, propose
in my feble manner to speak of Hiwassee Col
lege.
q
dition of this Institution, the first thing that
strikes the mind is the rude and primitive state
of every thing connected with the college lot
AMI building. Notwithstanding the college is
destitute ofmuch mechanical genius, and many
of those conveniences for which American Insti.
tutions are so pre-eminent, yet it has those ad-
vantages necessary to give mould to minds
desiring an education. This is an Institution
where the rich and poor have equal advan-
tages, Had l the power l would raise my
thoughts, and elevate my ideas until rose to a
level with the advantages of this school,
would tell the noble youths of this land in
language impetuous as the torrent of Demos.
themes, that the misty vale of obscurity is lower
latitude than any need occupy; would exhort
them to come to Hiwassee College, for here
eminence high and distinguished is within the
reach of every one, and none need fail Of crowns
in this modern Olympic game. At this institu-
ton there are advantages to be enjoyed, which
are not available at other places. 1t is here
that the poor mans son may educate himself.
l would not intimate and, am not of the narrow
notion that the Plebian requires separate
school from the rich, for it is generally the case
that we find among the common those giant
intellects which if properly cultivated, never
fail to be as suns in the dark places of earth,-
spreading food of light and truth over the
world God has not said the poor mans child
shall crawl and not climb. No mind is immor-
tai, 1t bears no mask of high or low or rich or
poor; it is of divine origin; it desires freedom
from oppression; it aspires to greatness.
But gentlemen students what shall say to
you, need not tell you that in few weeks we
will be severed, you know full well that ere the
transactions of the last day of the present sess-
ion have become the history Ofthe past many
of us will have taken the parting hand destined
soon to roam in other counties and states and
not to know and see each other only through the
clear glass of memory. But would tell you
that you bear in your bosoms those seeds ofoak
upon which fair Columbia's land will lean for
support in the coming perilous future. The
empire of knowledge opens before you and you
are called upon to labor for yourselves and the
good of your country. Whether your mental
path through time be frightful and gloomy
or beautiful and lovely depends upon the dispo-
sal of your collegiate hours.
Make all your studies practical; bend every
limb of truth you can reach'in to the field of
Science and bind every useful flower in the
chaplet Improvement. Think of the eminent
qualifications of your teachers, think of the two
literary societies connected with your school
their libraries, the alcoves of which are filled
with the choicest works of two hemispheres.
After you have done all this then remember your
obligations to Hiwassee College. Lastly, /
would say, during the whole of your collegiate
course conduct yourselves III that way which
you think best calculated to preserve health.
Suffer not your ruddy cheeks which are now
bronzed with the hue of health and youthful ex-
element to be blanched with remorseless con-
sumption. While you would freely make learn.
ing the altar upon which you would spread out
your priceless offerings, do not sacrifice your
splendid intellects upon the altar of midnight
study. Dear Students the hasty wings of time
admonishes me to close. / feel dampness
resting upon my beart-t is the spirit of depar-
ture.
Oh; ye classical hours of old Bat-creek and
We academical shades of Hiwassee, adieul a.
dieur Beloved teachers, kind students, and
affectionate class-mates-yes, and ye shady
woods where oft I've roved-ye murmuring
streams too, and all theamusing thoughts and
peaceful hours, bid you all farewell. Now /
gently close my pleasing books of love, and stea
away to rest my burning throbing brain. During
my absence.
will think Of Joys which saw us laugh,
will think of hours which make us weep.
know not that will ever visit the sainteG,