Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-07-25

J.K. HARrzLzn, Bsueuue, lli5iin County. Editor
For the EducallouaI OOIuIHH'
a Day With the Orphans.

events and enterprises are born
Among others that will illumine the
pages of history but few will outshine
in philanthropic grandeur that devot-
ed to the origin and progress of Sol
diers' Orphan Schools.
Children whose fathers fell in our
late struggle are gathered together by
the State, cared for and educated as
faithfully and as tenderly as a kind in
telligent father, with ample means
would do.
Could the State, in any other way,
to the same extent, repair the loss to
the children and to herself? How
much better to erect moral and intel
lectual monuments to the honor Of pa
rents and to the State than mOnu-
ments Of marble or granite How
much more sensible and christian-ike
to remember in this way the bone
and sinew" Of the land which really
gave the death blows to treason than
to expend all our public thanks and
money in the erection Of monuments
to the memory of men whom fortune
made great! Verify we are teaching
the nations Of the world a lesson.
A short time since, while on a visit
to the school at McAlistcrvIle, | was
deeply impressed with the grandeur of
the movement, and felt proud that for
once, at least, and in so noble an enter
prise, Pennsylvania leads the nation,
the world.
Are any prejudiced against these
schools, let them visit one we'll con-
Quoted, and see the happy, cheerful,
joyous faces of the children, the care
and attention paid them, and hear
them sing in their sweet, impressive
tones such songs as "Tenting on the
old camp ground" "Orphans' prayer"
&c, and surely, if they have the mer
est spark of humanity left, they will
go home ashamed of their preiudices.
l myself had no prejudices to be
ashamed Of but was really not prepar-
ed for such a treat, threatened the
"ittle folks" [ would tell the people
of Mitiiin county all about them.
| arrived in the morning and was in
troduced to Mr.. Caveny, the acting
principal 4 gentleman much beloved
by the children, whom they delight to
call papa. Mr.. Caveny took great
pleasure in showing me into the differ
ent departments Of the school and ex-
planning its general working. | was
first shown into the clothing depart
ment, where, to my surprise, l learned
that all the clothing for the one hund.
red and ffty-fve boys and girls are
made by the orphan girls themselves
under the superintf fndcnce of two la
dies, one principal, ,he other assistant.
Here | was Erut struck with the
home-like appe~ ance Of things. Girls
were sitting Dusily plying the needle
with cheerful countenances, while the
elderly ladies, mother-lke, were mov-
ing about preparing work, giving in
structlons, &c. [ there learned the
modus operandi Of the school. That
each boy and girl was required to work
two hours day, and study and recite
lessons six, making eight hours en-
ployment for each day. That the girls
were taught and required to do all
kinds OF MISUNDERSTANDING. baking.
making beds, scrubbing, washing dish.
es, taking care of garden, &c. That
the boys learn farm labor on twenty
eight acres of land belonging to the
institution, which is farmed PRINCIPAL
y IN garden vegetables. In short, /
found it was only family on a large
scale.
was then shown into the primary
department of the school under the
charge Of lady from New York, and
was highly pleased, delighted indeed.
with her teaching, as well as with the
department of the pupils and the inte-
rest they manifested in their lessons.
Next was conducted into the princi-
pal school room in which were seated
about one hundred and fifty boys and
girls whose brightly beaming ewes re.
teeting radiance on every Side, gave
assurance of contented, happy hearts
beating beneath their bosoms.
Then they sung, and what a volume
OF unWrltten history unfolded itself as
they breathed forth in beautiful song
the touching words of " Tentinp on the
old camp ground" "The orphans
prayer" &c. The scenes of many y
camp ground with it's sick and divine
fathers whose affections had clustered
so tenderly around these children
the fiery ordeal of battle when put
ting forth a brief petition for the dear
ones at home; many a father braveIv
and herolcally ly met the foe and poured
out his precious life for the saIvat;on
OF his country; then the grandeur Of
the thought that the State has heard
the prayer OF the dying hero and has
become father to tho fathorlosg, iaaI-
ing like kind parent to their interest
and to their welfare. All this, lorna
do-like, rushed through the spiritual
heavens sweeping everything before
it, at least, so far as my vision extend.
ed