Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-11-20
CITY ITEMS.

withstanding the inclemency of the weather
and the bad State Of the streets, quite large
crowd of ladies and gentlemen, residents of the
Ward, and others interested in the cause OF
education, were present, probably to the num-
Der of three hundred.
While the sudience were assembling in the
west room up stairs, we took glance around
| the fine building in company with the Archl'
| tect, Mr.. Wollom 1t is certainly school cd
itice Of which our city may be proud, and is
perfect in all its architectural details. 1t Is gu
feet front, and SO deep, and there are IN 1t
| four large school rooms, each about SO by ~
feet in size in the clear, together with one reel
tation room in the second story II by A.
The second story is gained by two broad,
easy flights of stairs. There is alsoa descent
into the basement. The ceilings are IA feet
high, and each room is lit by nine windows.
The two lower rooms are for the Primary
Departments-i. e., the smaller and lower
grades of scholars The upper rooms for the
Secondary scholars. These are very nicely
furnished, and have about fifty new walnut
desks. which cost about SIS each. A black
board runs around the entire room, while maps
adorn the walls. Two hundred scholars can
be easily accommodated here.
TIE Erercises-Owing to the crowd we could
not secure favorable place to report, but will
endeavor to give sketch Of the services.
EX-Gov. Ramsey was called to preside, and
the exercises were opened with prayer by the
Rev. Cyrus Brooks, after which the choir, un-
der DR.. Dunham, sang the National Ode,
"My country! IT'S of thee" &C.
Rev. Mr.. Neill being called on for an address,
replied to the call, saying that he had not in
tended making an address, although he noticed
his name on the programme. On account of
his position, however, in the Board, he could
not refuse making a few remarks. He then
went into narrative of the increase of accom-
lnodations for scholars. Eighteen months ago
the whole school accommodations of the Board
were two miserable frame buildings. Now
they have three large, fine, spacious buildings,
and rented other apartments. He announced
the views of the Board in relation to the ad-
ministration of the school; said that they were
decidedly in favor of the separation of the
sexes, and were thoroughly averse to the OBJ
ment of the schOols-or of the dOgmas of
churches in the instruction of children. This
elegant house, he said, had cost about $4,000,
while $4,000 had been expended on single
sewer, and $4,000 to buy fire engines This
expenditure would return more on the invest
ment than either Education suppresscs
crime-reduces the need Of large and costly
police force, and expensive courts and prisons.
The only religion of the school system is found
ed on the creed of the lowly Nazarine! They
banished all else. The Board therefore de-
clared Acknowledgements the use of the school
for Sunday schools, religious meetings, or po-
litical convocations, and the speaker took Occa
sion to animadvert in emphatic terms upon the
conduct of the City Council, in authorizing
the use of the Washington School House, at
various times, against the earnest remonstran-
ces of the Board-and stated Notwithstanding
all their protestations, notice had appeared
in the papers, authorizing another wanton des
ecration of the First Ward School by political
convention.
We cannot attempt to give more than mere
sketch of Mr.. Ms remarks. They were re-
plete with statistical, and historical, and phil
osophical truths, just as all his addresses are.
The choir then sang that grand old anthem,
Coronation"
The Rev. w. S. Edwards then made short
address, cOngratulating the citizens of this
Ward on possessing such a fine and comfort
able building for educational purposes, and re-
counting the advantages possessed by the
youth of our city in the way of educational ia
cities. The building of school houses, he said,
was a characteristic of the American people
Every city and town could boast of them,
though they had no regal palaces, no public
parks, monuments or cathedrals. They are
leaving their mark on the people, and are per-
petuating our free institutions. The poorest
child in our city can now be educated free, as
carefully as the son or daughter of the richest
citizen. Free schools shed their blessings over
all alike. They are national, and in accord
ance with our national principles.
James W. Taylor, Esq, made some inter
esting and instructive remarks in his well
known style He said the strength and will
and determination of the people of our city is
well exhibited in their building these school
edifices in the midst of such times of financial
distress. He related an anecdote in the life of
the elder Adams, to show of how much i'm
portance he esteemed the Western country,
and it's value to the United States, or colonies
as they were then. His prophecy had been
fulflled--even more than the old patriot had
| foreseen. Here, we, citizens from every State,
and men from every nation almost, celebrate
the erection and opening of temple of learn
ing at the head waters of the great Mississip-
pi, an ediiice well named after him who was a
warm advocate of education, patriot and a
| Christian.
Here w. G. Gray read a note from [acting7
Gov. Sibley, excusing his absence.
Mr.. Ludvigh, editor of the Stats Zeitung
then made few remarks, contrasting the adj
vantages possessed by American youth ovcl
those offoreign countries Ignorance and crime
he said, were partners the world over. He
had noticed it in the prisons of many lands.
Rev. Mr.. Riheldaffer also made. a few re
marks to the children, which were well receiv
ed. AS the hour was late, he said he woult
not detain the audience, but expressed his in
terest in the common schools of the city.
Benz Drew, Esq, Principal of the Schools
then responded on the part of the teacher:
and school, to the remarks of the speakers
He said the future conduct of the pupils and
the management of the schools should meet
the highest wishes Of the parents and patron
| u-ho xxyoro ;fc frinp6c