The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1860-03-24
RE-OPENING OF COLORED GRAM
MAR SCHOOL NO. 1.

MAR SCHOOL NO. 1.
An immense gathering of persons of col
or, together with large representation
from the Board of Education and others in
terested in the occasion, assembled to wit
ness the opening exercises in the new and
beautiful edifice erected for colored school
No. 1, on the old site in Mulberry street.
The exercises were opened at 9 o'clock,
by Mr.. Ransom F. Wake, principal of pub
lie school No. 2, who read from the 10Th
chapter of Proverbs. Mr.. John Peterson,
principal of the new school, followed with
the Lords Prayer. The children, num-
bering 250 or 300, under the direction of
Prof. Petit, here arose to their feet, and
poured forth sweet melody, accompanied
with the piano, furnished by the school Of
| fcers, an instrument rich in tone and out.
ward finish. Addresses were then deliv-
cred by Andrew II. Green, Henry p.
West, the Superintendent, Hon. S. S.
Randall, Rev. III. Fl. Garnet, VIM. j. Has
kett, Mrs. f. Cakes Smith, address and
poem,) Rev. VIM. j. Aston, Rev A. N.
Freeman, Rev. Henry NJ. Wilson, VIM.
GLAND Bourne, j. Ii. Townsend, and Geo.
T. Downing.
Two incidents in the exercises were es-
pecially interesting, making deep impress
sion on the audience, and eliciting much
emotion among the teachers. The first
was the presentation Of piece of the At
lantic cable, from Peter Cooper, by Mr..
Haskell, to be presented to the best and
most studious boy; and the second a tes-
timonial to Mr.. Peterson, made up Of the
following articles: A beautiful metallic
inkstand, with an oblong base of highly
polished ebony, and two urns taStefully
embellished and set off in convenient COM
partments- between the urns figure rep
resenting Castilian youth tripping along
lightsome and merry a heavy gold pen
Gil and pen; a silver medal, on one side
of which encircled by beautiful wreath
are inscribed the initials W. w. S., G. A.
W, A. f. P.-William W. Sturms, Char
les A. Wilett and Aaron T. Potter; on
the reverse side Presented to John Pet
erson, Esq, by the P. t. A, March u,
1867 and a large ambrotype of the trio
composing the Peterson Testimonial Asso-
citation. These young gentlemen, who are
an ornament to society, were formerly pu-
pills of Mr.. Peterson. Having graduated
some years back to enter upon other scenes
and other duties, they felt anxious to show
that their gratitude and affection had not
gone with the ruins of the old building,
around whose hallowed walls had fingered
sacred memories Of happy days of child
hood. Mr.. Potter made the presentation,
which he prefaced with a review of the
happy "reminiscences of his school-bOy days,
the pleasant associations then formed, and
the good results of the lessons taught.
The presentation was wholly unexpected,
the gentlemen having kept the matter
strictly secret, altho' the movement had
been in progress from the commencement
of the new building. The preliminar
les being through with, Mr.. Potter spoke
as follows:
We present these to you, having watch
ed with interest and admiration your self
sacrificing principles, and having noticed
that you were man of action and not of
all talk, and that your time and money
were ever ready in matters appertaining to
the welfare of your race such do good;
accept, these, then, as the offering Of sim
cere and grateful hearts; of hearts which
have felt the benefits of the many useful
lessons which you so oft did impress upon
our memories. Oh, accept them, as fond
and loving parent receives the flial love
and devotion of all adored and grateful
child. May it inspire you with new zeal,
and give encouragement and support IN
your declining years, feeling, that in all
your effort for your peoples good, you
have the cooperation and support of the
young. We selected this particular oc-
cassion, that in this, the zenith of your joy,
we might contribute still more to that joy.
Again l say, accept these implements of
warfare, this Pen and Inkstand, and everre-
member that beneath the rule of men emf
nently great, the Pen is mightisr than the
sword. And here you have the Peterson
Testimonial Association, SO when removed