Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-02-12
AN ADDRESS

I ~
' Principal Of Mulberry Ma1e Acac
eng, to his students, and puMshe
By request Of the Trustees and Pc
irons Of tie School
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:-Itis is
delicate thing TO give advice, an
, there is nothing generally speakin,
of which we are required TO be NOR
sparing. And had | been incline,
to-day to give advice to those olde
than myself l should have shrnnl
from the task. But it is to the youa,
men, especially my scholars, that thi
short address is directed. The rela
tion which exists, between teacher
and pupil, and the associations form
ed are Of So tender and endearing &
nature, that I could not feel to dis.
solve them without at least few
words of parting advice; which if fol-
lowed cut, might prove of some val
ue in after life. This is my apology
for the following remarks
Young men! You are just com.
mencing life. The most of you at
least are doubtless entering upon the
stage with buoyant hopes and high
expectations. The future appears to
you bright and enticing. The rough
realities of life scarcely employ a
thought, while future scenes are all
painted with the most gorgeous COL
ors and gilded with the most brilliant
lights of active imlginations.
Many have been the resolutions
in all probability which you have
made as to- your future course
Whether you are to realize those
high expectations and noble resolu-
tions, depends in a great measure
upon the principles imbibed aud the
course taken at this period of you
lives. Youth is emphatically the
turning point Of life. Iti is the piv-
OF upon which turns our after desti-
ny. 1t is here we stand as at a
point from which diverge many and
various paths; but here we remain
only short time ill We select our
path and settle our course. Then
how important the position! How
lraugEt with INTEREST," What then
is necessary TO enable the young map
Is he thus stands to select a path
which will lead him to high position
,f honor and usefulness? In the
first place, l would state that it is
highly important that the mind be
we'll cultivated. To enable ycu sue
to battle with the affairs Of
nen-to place you upon an equality
With your fellows, and give you that
which is so desirable, you
must become educated in some de-
5ree-at least receive the elements
of a good English education. The
advantages to be derived from such
an education are too many and too
to need comment. With
)ut it you will be compelled to labor
under thousands of difficulties and
which its possession would |
iispel. With it you will be equipped
to run with alacrity and success the
race of life, which you have just COM
nenced. 1t will place you upon high |
vantage-ground, and give you more !
influence and usefulness among your
fellow men. AS this is the period Of.
your lives. at which this invaluable
possession is to be obtained most
easily; and knowing indeed that if it
is postponed beyond this period it is
but seldom if ever acquired, must
be permitted to urge upon you in
terms as strong as language can ex-
press it, the urgent Importance of
pushing your instructions to as high
a point as is within your power.
would not have you to look upon this
attainment as something afar off in
the7distance. / would have you TO
feel and realize that it is, noO, no,O.
You are to make this improvement
if it is made at all. Remember that
this is the morning Of your lives;
soon the sun will begin to descend;
the shadows of the evening will
lengthen and grow thicker around
you, and eIe you are aware the night
will come when no man can work.
But tomorrow, tomorrow, is'what is
continually sounded in our ears, when
we would arouse young men upon
this subject. Time enough, say
they, ] wish to take my pleasure
now: after awhile | will attend TO this
matter. Alas! how mary needless