The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-02

| ing to know more about the works ant
wonders of the great Creator; while the
ordinary routine teaching may serve only
to annoy, if not to disgust. Besides, mel
of intelligence are beginning to see tina
the sciences have not been taught, as they
may be taught. A walk through the large
school furnishing houses of Philadelphia
and New York will soon convince even q
careless mind, that the educational inter
ests of the present are not regarded as they
were fifty years ago. This is strillingly
true with regard to mathematical and dstro-
| nomical instruments. The most intelli
gent men of the age have set themselves il
real earnest against the old methods Of
imparting instructions in the sciences.
| Why shall any community be deprived OF
the results of such earnest progress:
Last, and most important, is the proper
use Of the means necessary in order to de-
velop and nurture the moral nature. AS
before remarked, true educational work
must make provision for the culture of the
whole person. The character is to be form
ed, not after any particular sectarian type
or model. To avoid all such low concep.
lions of educational work, the youth is to
be led unconsciously at the moment to find
in first principles the foundation Of all true
manliness. Of this important department
of training, it is not necessary, in this con-
nection, to speak in detail. 1t may only
be stated, that all true scientific knowledge
in the kind of Institution now under con-
sideratien, is only means toward attain
ing to still more glorious heights of knowl-
edge of what the blessed Creator is in His
relation to all the works and wonders OF
creation.
The way is now clear to speak more
intelligently of what may be called
THE ORGANIZATION.
1t is comparatively easy thing, the
funds being in hand, to purchase books
and apparatus. But books and apparatus
even though the best, do not put first
class Institution into operation. This can
personal energy in and through an efficient
organization. In this connection, it may
be remarked that the Charter of Elkton
Academy is not only a carefully prepared
paper, but actually embodies all that is
needed in order to the most thorough Or
ganization of an educational Institution of
a high order.
1t is proper to remark. at this point that
first-class Institution cannot be sustained
on the basis of tuition alone. 1t never has
been done: it cannot be done. For this
reason, it has been found to be absolutely
necessary to have an enddcment fund
Phillips Academy, located at Andover,
Mass, and known throughout the world
as being tirst-class Institution, was found
ed on the basis of an endowment. Elkton
Academy has now reached point in its
history, when something positive must be
done. The interests Of the youth of this
town and the surrounding country demand
that there shall be something done. Two
years ago, this Institution was re-opened.
The students present at that time were
acquainted with nothing beyond the SIM
plest elements of an English education.
Some of these students have made remark
able progress. Justice to these noble
youth, as well justice toward the many
scores of boys in and around this town,
demands that Elkton Academy shall be
made what every community should have,
and that is a tirst-class Institution.
Phillips Academy was founded in 1880,
and now has an endowment of $50, 1000. 1t
has complete apparatus and a library of
about $500 volumes. Why shall not the
citizens of Elkton have an Institution, that
shall not only inspire the young men of
this entire community to aspire higher and
mark out for themselves nobler career,
but in addition be the browning glory of
the educational work of Cecil county ?
There can be no just reason why this great
interest should languish any longer. Every
noble minded man, if at all alive to the
prosperity of this community, must know
tlrat the sons now the boys on these streets
must soon be the men that will own the
town. A father may leave his property to
his son; but if that son shall be a young
man without solid personal character, of
what account will few thousand dollars
be? Solid personal character can never be
estimated: without it, all is dark sea of
uncertainty.
This plea in the behalf of first-class
Institution, is a plea at the same time in
the behalf of the best interest of this town
and of this community. Every parent is,
or should be, deeply interested in the en-
larged usefulness of Elkton Academy
Every citizen, having any true regard for
the solid prosperity of the future citizens of
this town, will admit that this is an inter-
est that must claim attention. To refuse
to consider the subject, is at once to fail to
have that profound regard for the good of
the future men of this town and commun-
ity that must ever be regarded as one of
the essential characteristics of the good
citizen.
The organization, since the re-opening of
the Academy, has served its purpose
Thers were reasons why things have gone
as they have: there were important con-
siderations, why no special effort has been
made to increase the number of students.
Asmany students have been present, as it
was desirable, in the circumstances, to
have. The time has now come, when
there must be a change: the efficiency of
the Academy must be enlarged. 1t may be
well, very clearly to state that this plea, as
matters just now stand, is not to secure
any increase of students; no, not this, but
to secure very great increase in the eff
cheney and power of the organization. In
stead of one instructor, it is now necessary
to consider the Importance of having an
efficient corps of instructors. In no 9TH
er way can a tirst-class Institution be estab-
liShed.
Phillips Academy with a corps of six
able instructors, can do what Elkten Acad-
envy cannot even think of attempting in
the present circumstances. But what may
prevent the citizens of a town in Maryland
from doing what the citizens of a town in