Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-09-14
WEST LIBERTY ACADEMY.

Lts Formal 0genina.-Sgeec1es by Rev. Or.
PlummeT, Req. n. Campbell, Req. Mr..
Dodge-L IL PendletOn, Esq, de-, dec.
WEST .L1BERTY, Friday. Sept. 10, 6s,
remember the question of Pennsylvania
Dutchman, who Intercepted a friend III this
wise: Ibid yon ever was from Johnstown to
Chamberstown''9 Thought that wasn't so bad
no odds if it was had English. You not only
thonghSof JohnStown and Chamberstown and
their belongings, but you fell to thinking of ALL
you knew about tho route between the two ter
mini. think l will ask your readers the
same question, only substituting Wheeling and
West Liberty for the Aforesaid Jamestown and
Chamberstown. Did you ever travel Mcssrs.
readers from Wheeling to West Liberty-did
you sever were" at this particular time of
the year9 If you have ueed not tell you
it is one Of the finest drives, in respect
to way side attractions, to be found any
where even in picturesque Western Virginia.
l need not tell yOn of the beauties of the far off
fields, shOrn of their crops, and Sprouting again
with their natural coat of green-Or of the
clusters of woodland which, on all sides, be-
grt the horizon, and which here and there
crowned the hill tops with their dense fOilage-
AS the sun Shone over these scenes of beauty
that were spread out before me, and diSpeilcd
the dreamy haze that was resting over Them
thought never had seen lovelier pictures than
those which the twelve miles between here and
Wheeling afforded. The fact that I had so
lend additional charms to it, AS Prof Ross
well said here in his remarks to-day, it is
country which for NIL the elements of health,
wealth, beauty and happiness has no equal
But did not start out to take land scape
sketches nor TO tell your readers what presume
many of them have realized before. came
here to-day in my reportOrial capacity to and
hear what would be done and said at the formal
opening of the first session ofth West Liberty
Academy. Tho first thing that attracted my
attention was the sight of respectable delega-
ton Of the substantial citizens of Wheeling
who had come not only for days qualification
to themselves but to lend their aid and counte-
nance to the Inauguration Of an enterprise in
which Ohio county and especially the city of
Wheeling has very deep interest Twas very
glad indeed to see these gentlemen present
First, then, will say word about tho lMStitu-
ton. About year ago it was projected by a
number of the wealthy and intelligent farmers
who live hereabouts. They wanted something
of which this county has long felt the need, Wis
n midway institution, of the first class, between
school and acnllege. Such mn Institution they
determined to have for the convenience of their
own immediate families and such others of their
fellow citizens residing in theneighboring iconn-
ties as should see proper to send. Their first
object was to secure the services of the right
kind of aman-one who could lend name and
n guarantee at once by his name and position
to the character of the school. They made
choice of Prof Ross, then of the department of
Ancient Languages in Bethany College, and
offered him the place. Prof. Ross was then in
the enjoyment of large salary-had one of the
finest and most richly cultivated homesteads in
Western Yirginia-but so urgent were the calls
of these his liberal and intelligent fellow citizens
that he gave up his honorable and comfortable
post, and in that spirit of earnest purpose which
has SO distinguished him in the field Of litera-
ture, entered upon the superintendent not only
of the mental regime that was being matured
for this Academy, but personally superintcnded
the whole projection and construction of the
beautiful building within whose walls we have
been SO richly entertained to-day. Tho result
of all these joint labors has been the assembling
large ConcourSe Of people to-day, brought to.
gether to congratulate themselves and their
visitors upon the successful completion and the
suspicious Inauguration of this institution.
But have not time to detail to you any
thing further in regard to the material of this
noble monument to the cause of education.
mnst pass at on:e to the programme OF the day,
viz: its literary exercises. Among the leading
gentlemen present, your reporter noticed the
Rev. DR.. Pnmmer, of the Western Theological
Seminary at Pittsburgh, Rev. a. Campbell, of
Bethany Rev. Mr. Dodge, Of your city, &c. &c.
The exercises were opened by prayer-then by
presentation to the School, by the ladies of the
vicinity, of beautiful Bible which presenta-
ton was most happily responded to by Prof
Ross who embraced the occasion to shadow
forth the policy OF the school, and OF all true
education in respect to moral and religious OBJ
servanccs. While ,discluiming all incubation Of
doctrinal religious dogmas. he thought it due to
the highest interests and future veal of the
youth of our land, that daily readings from the
Scriptures shonld be part and parcel of all sys-
tens of education.
Rev. Mr.. Aiken then announced an address
from Rev. DR.. Plummer, who was by Invitation
and expectation, the orator of the day. DR..
Plummer, fine, large, commanding and yener.
able looking gentleman, with white, flowing
beard, such as any old Roman Senator might
have enyied, an eye coal black, large and search.
ing, arose, and commenced in his own peculiar
quiet and pleasing way, the delivery of his re.
marks. The Doctor frst congratulated himself
that he was once agein upon his native heath Of
Virginia-thathe was here for the object which
he was. He proposed first, out of compliment
to one half of the plan of the school to begin
his remarks with some thoughts upon female
education. What he asked used to be the
standard and supposed acquisitions of female
education2 a very few simple little elements,
(spch as ''readin.. 'ritin' and 'rithmetic" All
that is changed now. Husbands and fathers
have got their eyes opened further than they
were once. Nothing hsd retarded the cisiliza,
ti0n ofthe race SO much 81 limited and deficient