Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-06
rus faFF SCHOOL, NEEDS ! HOUSE,

While our people are engrossed in the excite
ment Of a warm political contest it wou.dbe well
for them not to forget the nearer il not dearer iE
,erest of their so hopefully begun system of free
education. The free school Of Nashville is de-
servedy the pride of the city aud the pleasure of
all patriotic men. 1t may have many defects but
it should be remembered that it is yet in its infancy
and in its struggles for existence cannot GO forward
to those steps Of improvement and success all de-
sire TO gain. All our modern systems Of educa-
ton proceed too much upon the principle of cram
and show, rather than digestion and mental
strength. They have too much to do with men,
ory; too little with the exctaton of living
thought Therefore they boast more than they
perform, and their pupils look more like worn
out old mep, than fresh, vigorous and energetic so
diers of life. Bat we should not complain where
we do nothing to improve
The present Priesthood of Nashville needs
another large and commodious building. This can
not be had for less than twenty thousand dollars.
But it has a lot vacant and need not incur
the expense of another purchase. Now are there
not enough liberal minded and prosperous men
here, to put up the buildng2 Many of her cit-
zens who either live in near the corporate lin
its, and whom a bountiful Providence has blessed
with the rich rewards of honest industry, or for
tunate inheritance, we believe are not only able
but would be willing to father 50 noble work.
Some of these commenced life poor and under
many forbiddng circumstances. They know how
to feel for the unfortunate and the neglected.
They have contributed by their enterprise and in
dustry to the prosperity of the city, and in turn
its prosperity has blessed them with plenty and
fortune. Some Of these are rapidly approaching
the verge of this word and life. can promise but
little more of its glory to them. Several such have
no children 20 provide for; none to be blessed or
cursed with their large gains. Cannot one or
more OF this class be induced to come forward
and say, l or we will build the house? l or we
will do something for Gods orphans and for HUI
manity2 We are tempted to name one are two
of this class who we are confident, would take the
house upon themselves at once if the generous i'm
pulses of their hearts were turned toward the good
it can secure. But this would be oficious, and we
desire voluntary movement in this truly humane
direction.
Come my good friends, ere the light of your
earthly life goes out, light for the poor and unfor-
tunate this grand lamp of knowledge, that many
glad heart may be blest for you and while drinking
from the crystal fountains of wisdom and purity,
they may feel their hope of success and happiness
| through life, as the inspiration of noble deed,
performed by you-when your ashes shall be scat.
tered in undistingushable dust.
Let some generous man as lover of his kind
build this house. Let another or more furnish it.
Hundreds wait for it whose hearts and lives should
be precious to all who love their country, their
God and their own souls