Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-10-29
EDITORIAL.


Friends Of Learning:
In presenting this little sheet to the
public we have been influenced by no
ambitious desire Of bringing ourselves
before the world as literary writers
neither by the expectation of furnishing
you with choice and talented productions;
but merely by the hope of improving
ourselves in composition and by the
thought that we can feebly express our
regard for the friends of this Institution
by the presentation of this our first at
Aempt. We are well aware that we, as
Editors, are assuming responsibilities
mhich we are but poorly fitted to per-
form, yet we trust that a generous public
vii excuse our inexperience, and over
l0ok our many imperfections.
If the perusal of our columns may
enable you to pass one evening pleasant
II, we shall feel abundantly rewarded
fsr all the time which we have devoted
10 its pages.
Perhaps it would be proper, in this
place to notice briefly the causes which
led to the establishment of this 1nstitu-
Eioh, its past history, It's present pros
perity, and its future prospects.
Until within few past years all the
academies, seminaries, and other institu-
tons of learning of the higher grade,
located within the limits of our State
were conducted on purely sectarian prin-
ciples.
Thus from necessity those students,
who sought a more general education than
was afforded by the district school, were
csmpelled to attend those schools where
d6nominational views, different from
their own, were daily taught.
In addition to this they were forced
on pain of dismission to obey the most
arbitrary laws such as requiring students
to attend invariably particular places oi
worship, and to recite weekly lessons
from some religious work of sectariar
authorship. This existing state of cir
cnmstances began TO excite bitter feeling:
among both pupils and parents, and the
demand for institutions of learning of {
milder nature became more and more i'm
peritive each succeeding year. To al
leviate these grievances few noble mind
ed men conceived the idea of establish
ing a school upon more liberal and i'm
partial basis, and accordingly the Orlean
Liberal Institute sprung into existence.
At first this Institution was not so ex
fensively patronized, but great care beini
taken in the selection Of teachers, it
merits becoming more widely known
and people becoming convinced that
was characterized by no peculiar religi
Gus doctrine, it soon began to thrive i
an unprecedented manner, and for th
past few years it has been the large;
and most hourishing school in all North
ern Vermont. For the past FIVE yeaI
his institution has been successfully cor
ducted by Isaac A. Parker, distinguish
ed graduate of Dartmouth College, an
of the nearly two thousand students WI
during this time have been under h
aition we have yet to learn of the fir
e6iitary instance in which dissatisfactio
has been given. We regret TO announC
that we are soon to be deprived Of Il
valuable and efficient services of oil
teacher, as we are informed that at Il
close of this term he goes to assume
professorship in one Of our most prospe
ous western colleges. Thus Vermo
will loose one of her most valuable son
while the Orleans Liberal Institute W
suffer an irreparable loss. From Il
past merit of this Institution, we reque
future continuance of public patro
age. We have no large aud permane
fund bequeathed By philanthropic me
which may enable us to prosper, regar
less of public patronage. Our sole I
lance is in the generosity of the publ
a Literary Association is connected wi
Ahe school, offering rare opportunities
Improvement in oral composition and ;
gumentative discussion. Weekly lectur
are given by the Principal upon impo
ant subjects relating to different branch
of study, illustrated by an extensi
Astronomical and Philosophical aparat
A sufficient number of teachers are e
ployed TO render each department co
plete and thorough in itself. Our villa
is pleasant and offers every inducem'
to the student who desires TO devote hi
self 10 a close application Of his stud
We would then once more solicit a CT
tinuance of past favor.
e. Contentmeut is like well
water sDrin Uino nm In the soul oueni