The weekly Columbian., 1857-05-09
[F5r the Weekly Colum5ian.l
Our TOwn...YOuRg Ladies' Seminary.

| Every few days. we see the question asked in
some one of the San Francisco papers, what
shall be done to promote the prosperity and to
increase the population of the State? The ques-
tion is pertinent in every town and mining To-
cality throughout our domain. And among
the vast number of projects which have been
suggested in answer to tn question. but few are
of any significance, because they mostly lack a
practical application to the growing require
ments of "a young and vigorous commonwealth
Human society, to be 1ourishng and perma-
nent, must have within its control all the ap-
pliances which high state of refinement and
cultivation throw around metropolitan
neighborhoods. Libraries and Reading Rooms.
benevolent. literary and scientific associations,
and well conducted poblic and private schools,
are among the most prominent and important Of
these No locality can offer sufficient induce
ments for permanent and good population
that is deficientin its enterprise in these respects.
Though untold wealth may reward the toll OF
our miners and artiZans, they will not respect
their locality as d permanent home, if they do
not see the spirit of intellectual and moral i'm
provemt mt advancing around them. Even those
whose proclivities tend 10 disSi patton and to
vicious habits. seek such localities for their fam
lilies; because the good seed is never so far de-
stroyed within the human heart, as to leave it
without some yearning desire, that its offspring
y
tective influences. while its own fralties cannot
or will not extend to them.
Well, we have here a community which to
say the least, is as respectable, intelligent, and
enterprising as any other within California
We have many benevolent assOciations-the
foundation OF public school systenl-churches
to meet the spiritual cravings of man. And we
have the preliminary steps taken for the es-
tabishment of an institution, which is destined
to exert more influence over the prosperity of
Columbia, than any recent enterprise which has
been undertaken among us. refer to the pro-
posed Young Ladies' Seminary, in aid of which,
the magnificent Fair which is to be opened du-
ring the present month. has been projected. So
well satisfied are intelligent minds of the great
effect which this is destined to produce, that
the citizens of neighboring town have offered
to raise SIS 900 in aid of the Seminary. if its
location can be removed within their precinct
several gentlemen Offering to subscribe $500
al piece. his fact will speak volumes in its fa-
vor. and it is not to be presumed that such lib
eral offer will he lightly est emed Hence it
becomes our citizens to look upon this matter,
not as an individual or a sectarian enterprise
but as national. in the hroadest sense of the
expression. Of the moral results which are to
follow the organization of the school, we will
speak hereafter. We will now confine our re-
marks TO its pecuniary advantages to our town.
FIRST, the Fair itself will bring in a large con-
course of strangers. who will be prepared to
spend their money literally among us. Second,
lhe boundaries OF the school will call for large
quantity OF material and of mechanical labor
Third, Its organization will necessarily imply the
advent of an Increased population. and of de-
mand for articles ofsubsistence and clothing
Fourth, The remote effects will be felt in pro-
noting the line of travel to this town. and in in
snrlng the permanent settlement OF families
within our neighborhood
On these several heads shall take occasion
to speak on another occasion meantime. let
every business man of oar place throw aside
any hcsitances of action which Indifference or
petty jealousy may have induced 10 excite, put
his shoulder TO the wheel and labor for the cause
CT education. of morality, of religion. Of human
progress and OF human welfare. ..G."