The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-04-25

1nstancts OF patriotism prompted, in tt
dreadful civil comm0tion which has tor
our country, and in which thstalented an
sagaci0us Head Of that Board has attaine
a worldwide renown, while one Of hi
equally able and not less talented assoc
ates in that Board, loved, respected an
honored by all WHO knew him, has gone i
all his manly beauty and glorious youthful
prime, down to the dark chambers ofdeath
boldly and bravely battling in his coun
try's cause; and yet another, whose sell
sacrificing love Of country was only equal
ed by his modesty and his self-depreciation
with his rhusket on his shoulder enrolled
himself private in the ranks of one of tin
early companies from this Parish com
manded by our own Stafford. served will
his characteristic single-hearted devoted
ness through the whole war, rising by the
strength of his merit to honorable position.
Of trust and conGdetce; and has been mer
cifdlly preserved by the hand Of Provi
dence to reopen this Institution as til,
Head Of its second Academic Board, aud
preside over and guide it in its illimitablt
career of usefiilGess to the State.
Thus you have, my young friends, a
brief account IF the origin of your school
and Of it's growth to the present time. IT.
nature is concisely expressed in the organic
resolution prehxed to your book ofresula
tions, and which prescribes "That thu
Seminary Of Learning Of the State of Lou.
i.iana shall be Literary and Scientific
Institution under Military System OF
Government and Which also indicates its
design, which is at present to instruct such
portion Of the youth Of the State as may
desire to avail themselves of its advanta.
ges, in the Literary and Scientific branches
Of education SO far as is deemed necessary
to make them intelligent and useful mem
bers of society, and to qualify them for the
practical employments and occupations Of
life which are superior to manual labor,
but will enable them to direct and apply
that labor iii the most economical modes to
produce the best and most profitable re
suits. This design is capable Of indefinite
as the increasing growth and
wants of the State may pro
,ressively indicate and require. The
military feature was attached to it MOI
with view to make it an essentially
military school for the traing Of ,silitarp
men,, at all, bnt because it was deemed
that form of government best calculatedt'
insure good order and discipline, as i
makes the young men themselvesa part Of
The governing power, and in thus arousine
their selfrespect, their pride and Their
spirit de corps, 'accustom them to elevated
md manly sentiments and feelings; willis
The exercises of it are the best calculated tc
levelop their physical strength, energy
md power, Of endurance-as is well ex
in tho seminary's CircalAr of No
rember 18th, 1859, "the Military System
$ not necessarily designed to make soldiers
put it teaches subordination to the law.
Ind constituted authorities Of the State; II
exercises wise and wholesome restraint
'ver young men at period Of their life
vhen restraint is necessary and proper;
md also teaches them the use Of arms and
he science of organization, q knowledge OF
,rcat Importance to every civilized Gov.
it does not withdraw
heir minds from study, but affords them
.ealthfnl exercise during hoars otherwise
devoted to play, idleness, or gossips.'
And wish to impress on your siinds the
onviction shat without good order and
discipline, no school, institution, OF system
f any kind whatever, can hope for success
r efficicncy-creditable and praiscworthy
n all at all times, it becomes doubly ne
essary and important now in the ruined
nd impoverished condition of people
hat their sons should manifest their an
recitation of the self-lenials which thei
arents practice aud of the privations they
ndure in order to afford them the means
nd opportunity ofobtainidgan education
,hich, if properly availcd Of, will enable
hem to make tie nselves independent Of
he world-and that this feeling animates
ach and every one of your hearts and
timulates your exertions, I am proud and
Apply to believe.
Deeply impressed with the value and
Importance of education, the more so from
he bitterness with which l have had to |
,ment my own neglect of the opportuni-
les afforded me in early life, have long
cen an ardent advocate for it, and whei.
, 1853 and again in 1856 in company with
Their gentlemen, whose names are inscrib-
4 on yonder corner stone, was invited
v the Governor Of the State to assist in
he creation of this Institution for the edu.
alton of the youth of the State, entered
Ito it with all The carnestness and zeal OF
~ nature, and since then large portion
my time by day, and of my thoughts by
light, have been devoted to its cause
he labors incident to the part which |
ave been called to assume in its establish
tent have been ola quiet and unobtrusive
but they have not been the less
glorious for that, as my letter-books and
rye accumulation Of letters, papers and
pcuments attest. And at one period dn.
ng the erection of this beautiful building
ere wearying and worrying to q degree
nat almost disheartened me7-but persc-
cred amidst difficulties and dishearten-
tents and to-day when / look around
, these grounds, on these buildings, dam
red though they have been by the rude
Ind of war-when I reflect on. the two
lie and Jealous Academic Boards which
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