The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1860-02-22

GEETLEMEs Il was greatly surprised
at the reception Of request from you, to
furnish copy of the speech delivered by
me or last night. 1t is something which l
did not expect, and which did not think l
deserved but if you take the interest in
it (and have no right to doubt it,) which
you have manifested, l will take pleasure
in furnishing you copy. d"
Very respectfully,
f'I THOMAS SPIoHr,
Messrs. Cross, Wisdom, etc. n
An address delivered on the 9th of Jan.
uary, 1860, at the G. P. Church, by Mr..
thomas Spight, of Ripley, Mississippi.
Subject" Purdy College"
The subject upon which l have the honor
to address you tonight, is one Of great i'm
portance, not only to the citizens of Purdy,
to the county of McNairy and State of
Tennessee, but also to the djacent regions
of the surrounding sister States. ! mean
the prosperity Of this institution. II stands
here tonight, proud witness Of the en-
lightened policy and progress of the age.
Ii had its origin with .rninds that look to,
and labor for the advancement Of society,
by the dissemination Of sound intelligence
and morality. 1t began its career with a
very small number of students and now
what do we see! An institution of learn.
ing, standing forth as the pride and orna'
ment of your town, and an honor to your
county and State and it will ever remain
as monument, more glorious than towers
of Parap marble, to mark the energetic
sririt and pure motives which actuated the
authors and supporters Of the noble enter
prise. Future posterity will look back
with solemn admiration, to the time when
first their ancestors came TO the deterlnln-
alton to educate their sons at home; when
frs, the sound of the hammer was heard,
and every reverberation stamped upon the
mind of the world, the future glory and
honor which were to be wreathed into gar
lands of the brightest hue, to crown the
energetic sons Of science and llteruture.-
Although the noble enterprise met with
fierce opposition from selfish and sordid
minds, before the portals of this Temple OF
Virtue and Truth were opened to the sons
of the South, still with that energy OF ex-
ecution which marked the loftiness Of thelr
plans, its founders have triumphed in q
cause which embraces, in its friendly arms
the highest interests Of the youth Of our
land. And now this hourishing young IN
stitution is closing its second session, with
largely over one hundred matriculat'ons
since i was opened twelve months ago;
and through the untiring efforts and gen.
erous support of the citizens of your town
and county, to build up school which
should be inferior to none; and through
the efforts Of that soul.inspiring patriot
and lover of literature, President johnson
i has succeeded beyond the most sangulne
homes of its founders and friends. And
in this connection, would feel guilty Of
great ingratitude and injustice, we're ! tc
pass by unno,ced, the praiseworthy efforts
of Professor Malone, who has left nothing
undone which would tend to promote the
interests of the institution, and the welfare
of the students. And Professor Baldrldge
that sage young man, who has concentrated
all his faculties to promote the interests o
the institution, and to win his pupils to vir
tue and wisdom, by his diligent instruc
tons, kind precepts and worthy examples
And have their efforts been successful =
They have, in the best sense OF the term
This institution, which a few months age
was not known beyond the limits OF Nc
Marry county, is now known and respected
, by literary men Of the highest RANK
: throughout our country, and your town Il
, spoken of as promising to become favor
tie seat of learning for many Of the youtf
of our land. vx,,~.~ ,
Fear and opposition have been changed
into confidence and support, and am giae
to hail you tonight as a happy and hlghl!
favored people, amongst whom ! nav
, come to spend a few years, in search o
knowledge and wisdom from the source
which YOU enjoy at home. Every facility
yhich can 30 desired is here afforded
and your sons can ascend the hill OF SCI
ence, and pluck the brightest laurels from
her sun.lit brow, while under the guardian
care of their parents and surrounded o!
the endearments Of home, while the eA
pense is so tr,fing as to place the benent
of the institution within the reach OF all
,, Oh! you are q favored few. my youn'
friends. who live in Purdy. How m.
| heart would rejoice, could meet my fon'
. father and mother each evening at m
= own "sweet home" But pardon the a.
cression, and l will proceed. If a youn'
man desires knowledge. let him come an
partake of what is here offered to him =,
The Trustees have placed an able and eih
, cient CORPS Of teachers in charge OF tn
institution, who are always ready an
more than willing to CO all in their Powe
to promote the interest and happiness O
: any worthy young man, who may com Co. :,
under their care, resolved to DO his ou'y
obey the laws of the institution and real
| IFS benefits. If the young men OF tn
country fail to reach an honorable posl'iso'
in society; if they fail to stand upon tn
star .decked brow of the mount OF fame
shaded by the ever blooming tree 2
knowledge, whose fruits are matured onI
for lofty minds, in infamous old age, the
nus, censure themselves alone for thei
;gnorance and shame. But we shoui
esteem it, not only as a privilege, but a
, solemn duty we owe 10 ourse'Vo
, and parents, our God and country, s!' gu
friends and succeeding generations, to dis
;r,er our heaven 'con6ded talents, from IN
: rnhb;sh of ignorance and vice, raise 'het
, i, ,ho SUNLIGHT of knowledge and empio
,bem as Gods blessings to ourselves an
the world. Heaven only knows the re