The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-01-05
The BALDWIN School.

Paul, stands the BALDWIN SCHOOL EpIFICE. Its
fine architectural proportions and its conspicuous po-
sition conspre to render it object Of notice to the
stranger and of pride and satisfaction to those inter-
estcd in the cause of Education. Five ycarsago the
present location wilderness, where civilized man
eIdom or never rod--where nought but Nature in
her most rugged the eye, and where the un
tutored Savage roamed IN pursuit Of food, oitcred
laziIy beneath the shade Of the forest trees. How
changed the scene The trees have fallen beneath
the axe of the poneer-he soil has been made sub.
servient to the wants OF cvization--the red man
has gone still further exc out existence OF in
dolencc and ignorance, while life, and energy, and
industry are now visible wherever the eye may wan
der. What has caused this change The onward
march of Education--the intelligence Of the people
the ievclopcment Of civilization 1T is therefore
highly becoming that on this spot should lie erected
a dng Tor educational purposes to contrast with
the pasta building dedicated to the Improvement OF
the mind and the moral training Of the youns-a
buildings the light from which shall irradiae the
rounding darkness and send fort pioneers in the
great battle of life. Such building has been erected
such a building is the Baldwin School.
Through the liberality of Matthew w. Baldwin,
Esq a wealthy manufacturer Of Philadelphia, and
the untiiing exetions of Rev. Mr. Neill, pastor Of
the First Presbyterian Church Of this city, this
school has been established in our midst. 1t is Il
chartered institution, with Board Of Trustees; is
centrally and conveniently located and is intended
for the higher branches Of learning. The building
is built Of brick is two stories high, and COM
menced in July last. The rooms are large, high be-
tween joins, and we should judge well adapted for
the purposes Tor which they are intended
Ga Thursday evening last, the dedca,ory ccrcmo
MES Of the Female Department took place, and the
occasion one long to I've remembered, not only
the first gathering Ct tho Kind it, the territory, but
also marking an important era in the cause of
Education. At early hour the windows Of the
building brilliantly Illuminated, presenting a
beautiful and enlivening The light reflected
from the new fallen snow sent forth radiations en-
bIemacal of what might be expected Of the nsiit,-
ton, and guided the pedestrian to " feast Of
and flow of soul" Arriving in due time found
about one hundred ladies and two hundred gentle
men present and all things considered, hazard the
assertion that select a intelligent
audience convened in ST. Paul. Professor
Iowitz opened the exercises by skil'uy performing
several tunes on the Piano, when the Choir of the
Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Mr..
E. F. Ely, sang m opening ode, with much TASTE
Prayer offered by Rev. Mr.. Cressey, of the Bap.
, list Church, when Rev. Mr.. Neill delivered very
lucid and interesting address, tracing out the
ton existing between those OF scholastic attachments
aud the practical business man. His address was
very happy though brief ard VIC trust left a sautary
impression.
After the address the audience repaired the room
r above, where two tables extending the whole
length Of the hall, fairly groanilg with good things
Every docacy the heart could ish with all tho sub
stantiais OF life, spread before three hun
dred par eyes ind the and in which
the tables arranged, conclusive evidence
that fair hands and smiling faces had been Instrument
al in preparing the entertainment We cannot let the
opportunity pass without paying just and we'l-mer-
tied tribute TO those ladies who had charge Of tins de-
pa tment. They may rest assured that entertain
meut prepared in this Territory, gave better
isfsction than the Of Thur sdav evcnin. Grace
having been invoked b. Rev. MIR. Kern, OF the Meth
odst Church, the ladies seated at the tables, ard
then
"Soft eyes io0hcd love TO eyes which spake again,
And all went merry marriage bell.'
The jingle Of the plates with genera, war on t,lr-
key, cleared the field Of inpedmcn;s, when
the Choir again sang fine ode, assisted by Mr.
Weide the Piano, at the conclusion of which, the
President Of the evening, Rev. Mr.. Cresscy, (Chief
Justice Welsh having been expected to preside bu,
was prevented by sickncss) called the meeting
der and l.. A. Babcock, Esq. read the sentiments
prepared for the occasion. No. l.
The Occdsion.It marks an era in the history Of Min
nesotia. May its happy commencement be the pres
tge OF its future and ongconnued prosperityan HON
its noble founders and blessing the conmuni-
~ in which il is placed.
To this sentiment Charles J. Henniss, Esq. replied
in few pertinent remarks. The Choir again favor
ed the audience, when sentiment No. was read
i Matthew ". Baif,rin Of Philadelphia success
full macnis friend OF good enterprise, thro'
whose lberaiity this edilce has been erected.
VIM. II. Hoinshead, Esq. spoke to this sentiment,
dwelling at length the lbcrality of Mr.. Bald
win, and deprecating the idea so prevalent that law
ycrs and physicians the only arisocracy Of the
land The wealth and grandeur of "A country consist
of It's mechanics those inapproprately termed the
aborng classes, these the true wealth of nation
Mr.. II. alluded TO the school enduring monu-
ment Of the muniGcence Of its beneactor and with
which i'll forever be associated the name Of Baldwin.
His remarks we'll received by the AUDIENCE
No. 3
Our Country-Iier political and educational insttn-
ons lnseparabe, and will receive the watch
full care Of the true statesman
His Excellency, Gov. German, responded. lie
urged the necessity Of universal education, dwelling
at some length this point, and referring in the
course of his remarks to the stems Of schools as
upheld by the governments OF Russia and England.
Government should make it obligatory every ci,-
zen education his children and should he fail do
So then he should be viewed in the light Of GRIM
inal. No 4
Education-the palladium Of Hbe-tg.--As it is the
privilege Of every citizen of country aspire
the highest office in its gift and is also the duty every
citizen 10 select those who to govern il is i'm
perave upon all that they should be educated, that
their choice may be well and wisely made.