The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-11-17

in history as the founder of States, twill
be no little source of pride to DR.. Way
land, and to Brown University, that they
had share in the training of his heart
and mind.
On leaving college Mr.. Thayer return
led to Worcester, where he took the
charge of the school We have spoken of,
which had in the meanwhile taken the
name of the Worcester Academy. Be-
fore many years he purchased the site OPP
posite that institution, then known as
Goat Hill. now better known as Dread
Hill, from which our own Mount Dread,
in Lawrence, takes its name Most trav-
elers through Worcester must observe,
even as the cars fly by, the imposing
round towers of the large building which
he erected there for his school for girls.
which, with certain pleasantly, is call
ed the "Oread Institute" from the
Greek name, ''Oread' of the mountain
nymphs. Mr.. Thayer has deeply at heart
the idea that the people of New England
know the worth of good education
He believes that whoever will offer them
the article they want, in the way of edu-
cation-namely, first rate article-will
find enough willing to pay a fair price
for it. He never asked any endowment
for the Dread Institute, therefore it is so
far public institution that a board of
trustees,-as sort of visiting board
examines it from time to time. But it is
so far private institution that its propri-
etor is responsible for its expenses, and
that the charges on the pupils defray
them. The working of the school has
been very successful. 1t has had an ad-
mirable staff of teachers, of whom Mr..
Thayer has been one, more or less con-
stantly engaged, as his public occupation
permitted, - and of whom he always
keeps the personal superintendent. The
range of the studies is wide, and COM
pares favorably with that of the New
England colleges.
In other parts of Worcester are yari-
Gus improvements-mill- ponds, machine
shops, and other works, which are the
results of his enterprise and energy. Re-
tcognized in that thriving town as man
fwhe never attempts anything which he
does not carry through, he has been pop
ular public officer when he has consented
to act in the public service,-while in his
private enterprises he has contributed to
the advancement of its prosperity. He
was one of its members in the Safe Leg
! islature when the Nebraska bill was, to
the amazement of the North, sprung
upon Congress. So soon as it was evil
dent that it would pass, Mr. Thayer saw
that the treachery which started it was
| to be met by accepting the principle of
Squstter Sovereignty which it protested !;
and that it was to be made the instru-
ment of freedom by the Organization of
emigration" he applied at once to the
/ Legislature for charter for the Emigrant
Aid Company. He found many men
ready enough to give their names to
this great movement, but how few to
take hold and to work with himl What
will come of it, we viii not now try to
prophecy. But if it succeeds, as we be-
Ilieye ii wilI,-if Kansas and many anoth-
er State are admitted into this Union free,
because freemen dare emigrate any
where when they have mutual support
while no true freeman will go alone into
lands where labor is disgraeeful If,
year by year, the organization of emf
grafton" adds new free States to the Amer
lean Confederaey, the historian of that
Organization will find that the countr y
owes it, in the largest measure. to the per-
severance and enduring energy of Eli
Thayer.
| 1t is delicate thing to describe the
character of a living man. But we may
say here what Mr.. Thayer's Worcester
aeighbors would say, that his successes
| In various walks are not to be attributed
to that trait of character which is not
made honorable when it is called versa
tility, which is as often sign of weak
ness as of greatness, and more apt to be
the precursor of ruin than of triumph.
Mr.. Thayer's success in his enterprises
is due rather to the steady, unHinching
perseverance, which does not begin till
It is well nigh sure, and then never stops
at all. why is st. Louis so much larger
town than Alton" asked some one. 81
do moi know" was the reply. '.but do
you not see that if there was one man in