American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-05-24
SHARON, MISS, B
May 10Th, 1866.

May 18th, 1866.
Mr. Editor: I wish to say some.
thing about our schools in this place
We have two schools here male
and female. The male school occu
plying Madison College under the
auspices of Mr.. VIM. Ford and Mr..
A. P. Hicks bids fair to compete
with the best school in the country.
The young men of the school have
formed "Dialectic Debating Socie.
ty" and yesterday evening gave a
public debate, which I am glad to
say afforded much pleasure and gave
general satisfaction to a crowded
house, the speeches aboundcd in
much useful and interesting knowl-
edge, and were very satisfactorily
delivered so much as to elicit frequent
applause from the delighted audi
ence; and the general feeling was
that we might often receive a SINH
lar entertainment.
Several after speeches were made
by gentlemen of the audience urging
the young men Of the society to con-
tinue assiduOusly their studies and
debates and pointing them to Cal
houn, Clay, Davis, Stephens and
others, as examples Of what perSe-
verance and research have accom-
polished, and urging them on the
ground, that even if the members of
their club never reached superior
point OF oratory and intelligence, yet,
debate would force them 10 reason,
argument, and the study of history,
&C., increase their mental powers,
and afford much useful information
that nigh be otherwise lost or go
unhecded.
Six of the young gentlemen were
selected to deliver addresses
One in memory of our fallen heroes
Confederate Dead);
One OH incompetence
Two on Patriotism, and
Two on Education;
all of which were appropriately and
well delivered, Judging from the
shower of boqucts which greeted
each speaker on Conclusion. Prof.
Hartvell, of the female institute was
present with his orchestra, and dis
coursed sweet music in the interim
between speeches, and added much
TO the general enjoyment.
The people here are deeply sensi-
BE of the Importance of good schools
in the South, where SO much time
has been lost in war, and they are
determined to sustain them; and
under present mana cement I think
hey will succeed at this place.
Rev. s. D. Akin is president Of the
male school, and, drawing my con-
fusion from occasional Slimpses Of
is government, at his regular pub
exercises, I feel assured in assert
lg that his is a very desirable
.hool toI young ladies.
Our corps Of teachers are truly
outhern in nativity, spirit, and
principle, and are well calculated to
inculcate into the minds OF their
Dung pupils, those principles which
characterized our people i'll the
,loody struggle through which We
ave just passed.
The smoke of the battle IS waiting
way in the distance, the turmoil OF
war is over and it now behooves us
20 turn our attention 10 the pursuits
f peace, and treasure in our minds
seful knowledge to dispense to The
ORD and enlighten future genera
ons, to keep pace with the world
nat has got five years the start Of us ;
len, say, let every man and wo-
ian lend his and her influence to the
oble cause of Education, and soon
ill our brothers aud children make
themselves heard and respected as
1T forefathers were wont to do in
ne days of yore.
l am deeply sensible, Mr.. Editor,
my inability to do the subject JUS
ice, and would not write this com
aunication, but to give my feeble
-oice in support of SO good cause
education.
Very Respectfully,
C.