The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1863-08-19


this cultivation and patriotic love for the
institutions, purchased by the blood Of
orr fathers, and now being defended for
us by the heroic sacrifice of our broth
ers, better be attained than in our public
schools9 1t is most certainly the proper
mission of the school-room to teach true
patriotism and inspire spirit of self-de-
NAL and sacrifice for the sustaining of the
the temple of liberty.
About two years since, while seeking
shelter in q school-room, from q violent
thunderstorm, read with much interest
the following, from the blackboard, ITO
day | am twenty-one years Of age; this
morning | went to Grand Rapids and en-
listed in the Michigan Third Regiment.
Tomorrow | am to leave home, perhaps
never TO return again-if it should be so,
dear old school-room, good bye" And
now that brave youth, who wrote the
above, sleeps in soldiers grave, on the
banks of tho Potomac. How many
brave BOYS in our armies hold sacred
among the associations of home the place
where they were taught the sentiments
"Tis glory TO dare and die for our coun-
try"
But dropping this strain of thought
and coming directly to the practical duty
of the subject, the cause Of public educa-
ton demands in our village more COM
modious school-building. The greatest
accommodation that can be conveniently
afforded, at the present time, is for one
hundred and fifty scholars, while the GEN.
sus shows that there are over three hun
dred children and youth that must be ed
ucated in our public schools, or not be
educated at all.
But the question is, can we have, what
all must see is needed, New School
Houso-one, not really to be worshipped,
but place where all our citizens would
delight often to be seen, and to which ev-
cry one would be proud to point as the
place where were associated their highest
earthly interests.
For this purpose probably about the
sum Of $4,000 would be needed, which,
if judiciously expended, would build a
house that would meet the greatest de-
mand for many years to come, and could
be so constructed that at any future time
additions could be made without injuring
the symmetry of the building. But this
sum, to many, may look like burden that
would be unbearable, but let us look ut it
little more closely: Money could I'M
doubtedly be hired at as favorable rate
as ten per cent, giving district bonds and
extending the time of payment to five
years. The sum necessary to DO annual
ly raised to meet this, keeping the inter-
est paid would be about $500. | find
the valuation of property, in school dis
trict No. l, to be about 100000; so
that the annual tax would be not Gar from
one-half Of one per cent; and who, having
a property of $1,000 value, would feel it
heavy burden to pay the sum of IS for
the consideration of having an edifce that
should not only be an ornament to the
village but would meet an imperative
need. The present school property could
undoubtedly be disposed of for sum suf-
ficient for the purchasing Of suitable site
and properly arranging the same with
shade trees, gymnasium and suitable
outbuildings-none of which things we
are guilty of having at the present time.
Now is the time to think and talk rs much
as is necessary upon this subject. At the
coming annual school-meeting let all be
prepared TO act.
In n recent article realtive to the re-
turn of Mr.. M. Sparkling, from Dixie, who,
-. d.. . ...,.. ,,,o., horo,