Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-01

~ ShelCu llS nlSloIy uOWE W Inc pIeSeH
time. At the session of the Legislature be
fore stated, Governor Richardson's term. o
Office expired, and his successor, Governor
Hammond, in conformity to the Requirement
Of the act referred to, appointed Board O.
Visitors, to carry the act into effect. The
Schools, one at Columbia, and one in Char
lesion, so constituted as to make one the
organ of the other, were organized upon the
basis of the Military Academy at West
Point; superintendents and professors were
appointed, their salaries determined, and the
infant enterprise, under the sanctions of the
Legislative authority, embarked upon its ex'
perimcnt But like all untried and but i'm,
perfectly comprehended experiments, it en-.
countered the opposition of popular incred,
ulity and prejudice, in degree that render.
ed its perpetuity doubtful. The citizens Of
Columbia presented the Arsenal Academy
to the Legislature as public nuisance, and
it required all the influence and frmness of
its friends to pilot the ship safely through
the popular storm. But it survived the
shock, and lives to day, proud moument
of the wisdom, patriotism and far seeing
craftsmanship of its founder, and of the ben
efaction of the State.
AS each year of its existence has passed
away, its Importance as an institution of
learning has become more and more appa-
rent, and opposition and error have in like
degree retired before the light of successful
experiment, and wcll-founded public conf.
dence. And the General Assembly of the
State, participating in that confidence, have,
with remarkable unanimity, augmented the
appropriation for its support to the annual
sum of thirty thousand dollars, which in
half a century will save to the people out
of the public treasury, to educate their
young men who are without the pccuniary
means to educate themselves, the sum of one
million and a half of dollars, the greater
portion of which, under the old regime,
would be utterly thrown away.
The complete success of this important in
stitution is now no longer doubtful. It's
value to the State is felt and admitted
throughout its borders, and far exceeds the
most sanguine hopes of its founder. Such
is the public confidence in it at the present
time, that at each Annual Meeting of the
Board of Visitors, many applicants for ad-
mission are turned away for want of room
and means to accommodate them. On the
first day of January last, the number of Ca
iets in the four classes, was one hundred
md eighty-one. Besides the large number
If young men whom since its establishment
n 1912 it has materially aided, but who
lid not graduate, from its list of graduates
it has already given to the country five Min
sters Of the Gospel twenty-three Professors
and Teachers in colleges and schools; twen-
ty Civil Engineers; fifteen Physicians; elev-
en- Lawyers; nine Merchants, and nine
Planters, without taking into the estimate
those who are engaged in other honorable
pursuits, or the graduates of the last year,
who for high promise are surpassed by no
class heretofore given to the State and five
have gone to their last rest and sleep in hon
orable graves. Out of eight Superintend-
ents and Professors in the mother institu-
ion, four are its own GRADUATES, brought up
md nurtured in its own bosom; and as gen.
.lemen of sterling worth, and high scientific
lttaiuments, they may fear no contrast. And
not the least pleasing part of the picture re-
mains to be drawn. The life and character
If each graduate have been uniformly mark
ID by high toned moral conduct, and gen.
lemanly department, as gratifying to their
antilles and friends as honorable to them
elves, the institution and the State. No
ond father has been brought to lament over
he early wreck and ruin ola prodigal SON.
10 heart-broken mother, to weep over the
'ntimely grave of her darling boy, stricken
lown in the bright morning of his days, by
he remorseless wine cup. An institution,-
method of instruction which evolves such
fleets, and sets before the rising generation
f men such bright and hopeful example,
hould surely arrest the attention of every
riend of his country. Of all its graduates,
lot one has thus far failed to take high NOR
i rank among his species. Not one.
1t is worthy of inquiry, what is the cause
which produces such effects? The answer
s, I think plain, AMI conclusive The State
Military Academy has solved a problem in
educational science, of the gravest impor-
ance, and which should stamp its lasting
impress upon the public mind. 1t proceeds
lpon the proposition, that the wild horse is
worthless to his owner, while he is permit
ed to give his name to the wind, and speed |
n wild wantonness over the pasture and
lain, unrestrained and unguided by the bit.
That physical culture must precede mental
ulture, Or 60 hand in hand with it, and
Without the former, the latter is impossible.
That human society demands that mere fam
y institutions of learning shall give place to
chools of practical science, in which men
re to be educated and trained to practical
md and purpose, SO that when the public
rood demands their services they may be
prepared to render them efficiently and un-
lerstandingly. Here a great fact is added
% the sum of our positive Knowledge
lass of knowledge, which We so much need,
o emancipate our minds from their sightless
,ropings. The bodies, as well as the minds
# our youth, should be held, by the funda-
mental organism Of our schools, in stern sub
ection to the law of obedience, the violation
f which expelled our first parents from