Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-07-10
VISIT TO PLATTEviLLE-OLD FOLKS From
H0ME-PLATTEVILLE ACADEMI-4th U
JULY CELEBRATION.

Having stuck to our post with scarcely
any recess for several months, through a
long, dreary panic and to the verge Of
better, happier days, we concluded to Gel
citrate the anniversary Of our Nations
glorious Independence at some place. and
in manner pleasing to the mind
Among the several public gatherings, In
Guiding also balls and festivals, announced
to come off at various places in the county,
none seemed TO present SO diversified, Ia
tefestiDg and profitable programme OF
arrangements as we saw advertised for
Platteville; there was the FestieaI Of tie
Rose, or musical c. ncert of one hundred
children, little boys and girls of five years
old and upwards, trained in the rudiments
and practice of music for the occasion by
Prof A. M. SANFORD; also, the Academy
exercises, including the Examination, Ju-
veuiIe Orations and Essays, closing with
original pieces spoken by the Graduating
Class; besides, the regular anniversary
celebration by the Odd Fellows, Masons
and citizens on Saturday in which all
were invited to take part, and the Sab
bath School celebration on Monday.
So many attractions took us to Platte
vile on Thursday of last week-also, many
Others, most of them having student sons
and daughters in the Academy. Just
here we are reminded how a little son or
daughter may attract such mountain pom
derables so far away from their homes
and business as Judge Strong Of Highland,
D. A. Mckenzie of Dubuque, S. E. Lewis
of Potosi and others, for several days, to
witness the literary buds expanding in a
little boy or girl; how for several days
they could assemble in the school room
among children, all the while having
only such for companions, even initiating
little boys in thoughts, acts and converse
tions: how we laid aside the man and the
old intellectual garments of men,resuming
the fashions, fancies and play talk of boy
days, a0hen zoe acent Gypseying, long time
ago. And, we are told, this is nothing
new; at the closing of every session att
latteville Academy, the old folks come
in from neighboring cities and towns, time
and again, more of them of late, to enjoy
these juvenile exercises. Such visitors are
expected at Piatteville; the people pre-
pare for them and many open their doors
for free communions; at Buffers Hotel,
extras are provided; the clergy prepare
better sermons; Nature furnishes a large
and fresh supply of flowers; heaven gives
out an extra smile when,on such occasi ons
mans rough nature is mellowed down to
childhood and children rise so near to an
gels we can almost imagine that in the
great book of accounts kept above, many
charges standing againstPilgrim fathers will
be blotted out, to the credit of those who
attend the closing exercises Of Plattevile
Academy. They ought to be, we think !;
try it fathers, and mothers too, for you
must become as little children before God
can impress the seal upon you and gather
you to His sacred college above.
Our readers are referred to the com nu-
nication of Mr.. PAGE in aFother column,
who gives a better account of Platteville
Academy, its condition and prospec is than
we are capable ofgiving. The facts there
in related by Mr.. PAGE are important to
all at this time, the crisis having done its
worst and the institution having remained
mistaken, yet not entirely free and fas in
respect to finances.
This Academy is the parent in many
respects of public and private school enter
prises in the West part of the State and
should be respected and upheld as such ;
it is also the child of the Select and High
Schools, Institutes and our best Public
Schools, and as such should be nourished
and furnished with every comfortable. All
our best Schools at Tafton, Lancaster, Ha-
eel Green, Mt. Hope and Mineral Point
are but the steps into Platteville Academy
and can be made nothing more. This is
right, for learning must have head some
where, and should have body and men,
bers everywhere, so as to maintain soul.
Let our High Schools aud best Public
Schools train beginners as far as ability
and preparations go, and let the Aeadmey
finish the work; push forward the High
School at Lancaster, Tafion and elsewhere
by multiplying tenfold their supporters.
and thereby supply a fourfold charge o.
students for Platteville Academy. This
proceeding will raise the Academy to a
a College and secure epdawments for Pro