The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-04-26
Franklin College.

Franklin College.
Inauguration of the New Fresfdent,
Prof. Andrew +. Ross.
Nestled among the hills, in the
wealthy township OF Athens, some sew
en- miles south of Cadiz, is the quiet
town of New Athens, whose chief at
traction is an institution of learning,
at one time one of the most prominent
in the West, and which its friends are
making every effort to restore to its
former greatness and efficiency. We
allnde to the wellknown FRANKLIN
COLLEGE. 49,
Prot, Andrew F. Ross, who was
connected with the College in its palm
lest days, having consented to again
resume labor within @its classic walls,
was to be inaugurated President of the
Institution on Tuesday last, and we,
in company with others, repaired to
New Athens.
In the afternoon of that day, the
citizens of the town and surrounding
country thronged the chapel connected
with the College, Rev. j P. Cald-
well, of Crab-apple, opened the ser
vices withsa ferpent and impressive
prayer.
S. B. Shotwell, Esq, on behalf of
the Board OF Trustees, delivered an
address of welcome to Prot. Ross
He related, that at a meeting ofthe
Alumni, held in June last, when
were being proposed to re-
vivify Franklin College, Rev. Camp
bell suggested that Prof. Ross be Sc
cured as PRESIDENT and Campbell
resigned for that purpose, and YOU
Ross) was elected. Previous
of your efficiency while con-
nected with the the institution in for.
mer years determined our course
The men noted for talent, who receiv-'
ed their instruction from Ross were
connected with the history
the country. A teacher who was
the instructor of such men as Sena
tor Edgar Cowan, of Pennsylvania,
Senator Joseph Fowler, Of Tennessee,
George w. McCook John A. Bing-
ham and Judge Lawrence of Ohio: DIR.
Clark, of Pa, A. NJ. Bloch,
of Illinois, Geo. P. Vincent, of Viii
mington, Vim. and Samuel Findly and
DIR. Hamilton, Ohio; and others, had
certainly left strong imprint of suc-
teaching. Mr.. Shotwell then
referred in eloquent terms, to the
feelings toward Prof. Ross en-
tertained by his former students lot
he had himself been -one) and,
in the name of the Board Of Trustees
promised cordial support. Rev. r.
g. Campbell, on behalf of the citizens
New Athens and vicinity welcomed
DIR. Ross to his new home and his
new position, in a few well conceived
and well spoken remarks. He inform
ed the audience that the new scientific
apparatus had been purchased at ar
expense of $500, and stated otnef
matters that gave promise of useful
ness. He stated that the reason he
to retire f. ON the Presidency
Of Franklin College was, he could net
do justice to his congregation as a
minister and at the same time hold
his position. 1t would be impossible
to fill both offices and be efficient in
and he could not see his way
clear to abandon the ministry to be
come a professional teacher. Mr.. G..
gave the citizens of Athens some
advice about ornamenting
their town and making it attractive to
and concluded by giving the
Doctor a hearty welcome, the audience
TO testify their appreciation.
Prof.. Ross read his Inaugural Ad--
dress. 1t was a mastery production,
the Professor being one of the finest
In Ohio, and1a man of strong,
practical sense. In commencing he
alluded to the fact that it was thirty
years since he had before been On
nected with this institution. He al
luded to the many eminent men who
had received their education at Frank.
lin College-Franklin College had a
OF her ons none could be
ashamed. She had given the pulpit
its most eminent men, and the Bar
and Bench its ablest ornaments. The
nation had been benefited by the men
from Franklis, and could point, not
to an eminent man here and there,
but to many, very many. Such was
the past, and the work in the future
was before us. He appreciated the
responsibilities of his new POSITION
relied on Providence and the co.
operation of the friends of the College.
The history of Franklin was better
than a long rent--oll of endowments-
with half a century of experience she
was rich. He proposed that her stu
dents should receive a useful educa-
ton. The modern whims, by some
called ''the spirit of the age" should
find no Judgment in Franklin. The
put growth of centuries of thought,
tested by the grand results of modern
study should be the plan of franklin.
The Doctor argued in favor of Slassi-
cal studies-the literature and culture
of antiquity should be known by him
who would have culture. To bring
put the power of thought, in a man
was the object Of education. Mathe-
mates should have an important posi-;
ton, and meny reasons were given
why Physical Science, 80 much neg |
should have a leading position
in an institution of learning. While
sectarianism should not be taught, it
was necessary to know that Christian
ity was a power in the land, and We
a Christian people. The Chris
tan minister's education was not con-
plete, who could not answer the croak-
Of the sceptic from a ~perversion
Of natural science by the truth Of sci
ence itself We give but a brief out
line of the Doctor's address. and fear