The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-05-20
To the Citizens of ElktOn and its Vicinity.

| once more call your attention to thu
proposed Peninsula 1cademy, or as it is by
a vote Of the Committee having the matter
in charge, now to be called THE WHINING
TON CONFERENCE ACADEMY.
The question of location still remain:
unsettled. At the first meeting of the
Commission by which that point is to bt
determined, held at Wilmington, on Wed
nesday, tho 10th of this month, very
decided preference for Dover was exhibited
by a number of the members of the Com.
mission, and the probabilities are, that had
vote been had a majority would have
voted for Dover.
Upon my motion, however, after consid-
cradle discussion, the Commission deter
mined to postpone the consideration of the
point of location until an adjourned meet
ing, to be held at the same place, on the
third Wednesday of June, next.
At that meeting the location will, with
out doubt, be decided.
The grounds upon which 1 urged the
postponement, was that the Commission
was not at that meeting in possession of
sufficiently distinct information, from any
particular locality, to enable the members
to determine judiciously SO vital and i'm
portant matter. That sentiment pre-
vailing, my motion to adjourn was acaui-
esced in without vote.
Let me now say that upon the question
ho,,
information may be expected? while the
friends of other localities declined to pro-
mise any further facts than the Commits
sion was then in possession of; as repre-
sentative of Elkton and its vicinity, I
pledged myself to carry with me to the
next meeting of the Commission something
more distinct and positive than 1 could at
that time lay before them, maintaining
that general promises of local aid, by
whatever sum or sums limited, were too
intangible to justify final action in a matter
of so much moment.
The advantages to the town and vicinity
in or near which the proposed institution
shall be established, not only in moral and
religious, but also in business point of
view, are held and properly held by the
Commission to be of such a character as may
reasonably induce and justify very consider
able pecuniary aid in procuring a proper
site and erecting the necessary building or
buildings.
While healthfulness and eligibility of
situation and other general considerations
should have, and no doubt will have, their
due weight with the Commission, it will be
impossible to ignore or overlook those of
a pecuniary or business character, in an
enterprise which without money cannot be
prosecuted; and it would be affectation in
the Commission to attempt to disregard
them.
To what extent these considerations can
be met by Elkton and its vicinity, it is
impossible for me to say. The time secured
for further action by the adjournment of
the Commission is, think, sufficient to
allow those who have an interest in the
matter to take action and secure success.
If the citizens of the town and vicinity,
and the surrounding towns and villages,
properly comprehend the advantages they
will derive from the successful establish
ment of a first-class educational institution
at this central location; if the Methodist
Churches in Elkton and the surrounding
country have any proper appreciation of
the benefits they will derive from such an
institution they will be no longer Indifferent
to the present pressing Importance of def
mite and distinct action in the matter.
Personally have but little interest in it.
have no children to educate now, and my
age precludes the probability of my living
to witness many years of the future history
of the enterprise. My position on the
Committee was not of my own choosing.
1t was perhaps purely accidental. But from
the first I have earnestly urged what
believed to be the true interest of the
school, in advocating its location at Elkton:
and shall continue to do SO until that mat
ter is determined. That being settled, it
will be my duty and my ambition to do
what l may be able to perfect its organiza-
ton IN such locality as may be finally agreed
upon, and to that shall address myself
In the mean time shall anxiously look for
some sympathy and support from those
interested in pressing upon the Commission
the selection of Elkton as the proper loca-
ton for the school.
For that purpose and with that view, l
once more ask a meeting of those who may
be disposed to take interest in the matter,
in the Court House, on Wednesday, eoening
meet, May Gath, at o'clock.
F. A. ELLIS