Nebraska advertiser., 1868-02-06
PeFE RESPONDER

FF1END CHUECH Our first term closed Jaau-
any 10th, and We had hoped some of our frierds
would give Us a passing notice but what seems
to be every bOdy's business is usually made no
body's, and SO W have been passed By unn6ticed.
We sometimes doubt whether, after all our desire
to succeed, ou- efforts to build up the cause of
education have been directed in the rightehanneI
When we fist came into the Territory, fYe years
since, we felt a burning desire to see the eduea-
tional interest of our adopted State pushed for
ward. We found no institution Of learning higher
than a Common School, in successful operation
and when we were better acquainted with the
class Of teachers pretending to teach our schools,
we found them wofully deficient in all respects.
True, there were noble exceptions, but tho great
majority wero poor, Uery poor, ard incompetent.
With a great desire to do something to remedy
this defect, We have labored earnestly and con-
stantly, hoping, praying, and entrea;ing those
with whom We have been connected, to use their
influence for the establishment of O Normal
Sc COL.
The school is established. That is q building
and grounds have been secured. But as yot we
have no funds en- which to rely to assist in carry
ing forward the enterprise successfully. None
win deny the necessity of a good Normal School.
But all are not fully agreed az to its location, &c.
Now, it is evident shat if we have a school Of this
kind it must be located somewhere. And what
town in the State would offer what was offered by
the people Of Peru? No doubt these local preju-
dices about county seats, public buildings, de-,
are doing US, as a State, a great injury, as men of
wealth and influence are not willing to spond their
money without a reasonable Assurance of perma-
nancy.
-BatlooLinE sttTo matter OF TuOatiHg a Normal
School, wherein would the State be q gamer in
having i. located in any other town in Nebraska ?
Is the matter Of travel an objection Certainly
the river Iuns as near US rs any other river town.
and as for getting here in winter, it makes but
precious little difference where it is loeated-it
would have to be reached BY private conveyance,
let it be where it viii.
But laying all canting and fault finding aside,
is not the honor OF our State compromised, if we
do not sustain our Normal School? Is is not the
duty of every true friend Of education to encOur-
age it and help it along ? While We have some
reason to think that our citizens in Peru are vii
ling to see the school carried on successfully with
as little of their attention as possible, We are glad
to feel that many are deeply interested in the
school. And though perhaps there are a few that
be willing TO see the school stop, rather
than send their children and pay the ~tui.ion, be-
cause, as they say, it is " horrible high, yet there
arc those ready to pay what such refuse to.
But the Normal School is not fer Peru or Mem
aha county, but the Whole State, and if it is a
success the whole State must make it such.
We said, when We commenced, that we some
doubted whether We we're doing the very best
for education in Nebraska or not, bat we are will
ling to let the future decide that. If we fail to
advance the cause of education by our efforts, we
shall have the satisfaction Of knowing we have
tried hard to DO so.
We would heartily join with @Fairview," in
trying to do something TO advance the interests of
education IN Nemaha county. Please make a pro-
I,