The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-09
LOCAL MATTERS.
THE NEW FOUNTAIN.
Presentation Exercises at the Nor,naI
B.. . School.

,
The ceremonies were opened with sing
ing by the school, after which the Rev. b
M. Peterson offered prayer. Miss CARR
Walters then presented the fountain to tn
city IN the following eloquent and finely de
livered address:
SlR-Some time since very serious ouestiot
was propounded to us by our principal: wha
goou can and ought this school to dor Now w,
nsss oIen en- tet an individual responsibility bt
uselul, put mad come, perhaps, to regard our
selves as belonging to the school rather than III,
school to us, and were troubled to know what tC
do and how to do it. So we chose n con,n,itto w
VERY much as gentlemen do, i belieye1 VIII
SHOULD investigate and report "-'>
among the plans for usefulness proposed thai
VI optalhlhg ior the city drinking Fountain,
| a aeeiieu most pleasing and feasible, and was
InaIly adopted. Perhaps we were fayorablv in
cimed TO 1t from the fact that a npwsp9ner
Ga Gaiea tIs orr Dumb Antmats has been distributed
| IN tne schools and we had become familiar with
enorts made in other cities to humanize tba
people, and prevent cruelty to animals In
| these, street drinking fountains are becoming
| ALL eiJ 'Ppieeih'ea py
The undertaking has taxed our resources and
energy ana patience, as your Honor will easily
peleVe II IL has ever fallen to your lot to solicit
subscription for any object however good hnt
we nave found generous friends to aid us among
u aee trustees OF the school and other gentlemen
OF the city, whose kindness wa aoi5noyvIadSra
with many thanks. The Press of tbe citv aiso
has aided by frequent notices of the nrooreso
of our enterprise 0 piosie"s
MI. Davis has kindly placed our fountain in
front OF the Postoffce, the place chosen by MS Tn
Denaii OF the graduates and present members of
tne school ask your acceptance as the represent
ese M Vi tue clty, OF this fountain, with the wish
ttt IL may iong ofef to each thirsty passer-bv
the cup OF cold water ~
Mayor Kelley responded on behalf of the
city IN a speech of that rare beauty and
illness which always distinguish his pub-
llc efforts. We regret that we did not hear
1t, and that we cannot present even an ab-
stract of it. Rev. DR.. Burrows. of the
First Baptist church, followed in a CAPITAL
address, in which he enforced the lesson of
temperance with mingled Jokes and humor-
to the great delight Of his auditors. Al,
ludlng to the compensations of our life. he
said
I'm the Spotswood fire the Blues lost
Their t1 splendid and antique punch bowl.
NOW the compensation for the punch bowl
is this fountain, presented to the CITY by
the young ladies of this school. 1t is as
GOOD as that was bad. From it flow the
waters OF healing, pure and delicious. The |
other was Pandora's box from which |
came forth troops of evil genii to vex and
rum the souls and bodies of man and to
MP in the bud every fair flower
of hope in pleasant homes. | have
AnoWn many young man
whose end was in the drunkard's grave.
whose downward path started from the
punch bopl." This fountain is a protest
lgainst lntemperance. 1t stands here in
Is purity and beauty, inviting to temper
lnce and the paths of peace. If L could
peak to all the "Blues," would saw re-
lew your social gatherings, and consecrate
'our future around this fountain which fair
md gentle hands have set up in the midst
y the city. Take new vows of love. nuri-
and fidelity of temperance to each other
nd to woman's future as endangered by {
he punch bo,ol."
He especially urged upon the Young j
aides to use their influence with their
rlends In behalf of Temperance, and to
larry no young man who would not take l
ne pledge. Rev. DR.. Curry, of the Rich t
nond College, followed. He related some 1
ood stories, and exhorted the young ladies 5
be firm in their refusal to compromise I
nth intemperance. Brief remarks were ]
lade by DIR. Manly, and Colonel e, Dam 9
us OF the STATE JOURNAL. The exer- i
ses closed with singing.
Inc young ladies of the Normal school II
'uid not have been more happy in their
lolce OF an enduring memento to their {
ative city. The fountain which they have G
It VI. IN our streets is graceful recogni- ?
on of the obligation to do good, and it's :
'nors have secured lasting remem- l
rance. ''-'- II
How many thirsty men and women and G
tile children will be refreshed every year. 9
oW many poor brutes that would have II
!iiered Tor hours during the heated days, n
Ill De made glad by this convenient sup
y OF pure water, which takes away all n
icuse from their thoughtless or indolent a
asters. p
This good deed SO gracefully done will " "
with these noble girls through life as u u
easant memory.
"A green place in the waste of thought.n
e may well believe that the good angels. IL
oking on well pleased, will plant along e,
cir pathways many fair oasis, amid pt
hich fountains will plash and play, to "a
ward their care for others and for the th
lmbler creatures which God has COM ro
ltted to our keeping. gi