The Van Buren press., 1873-09-09
ALMA ACADEMY.

4
we now will have school where our boys
and girls can and will be educated. we deem
it matter OF sufficient moment to call the
attention Of our citizens to the fact, that by
the person of eur young friend P. H. Ilillyer,
late of Henderson, KY, we believe that pa
rents and guardians may confidently expect
to have their children and wards taught all
the branches that are taught in the best
schools of the State, and that yet in our brief
history some of our aspiring lads and la ses
will be prepared to point with pleasure and
pride to their Alma Mater in old Crawford.
On Monday morning last, number of our
most enterprising gentlemen and some of our
fascinating ladies assembled at the Academy
to witness the commencement of our aca
demic course, this being the first day of
school, and to hear the remarks OF our talent
ed and fluent teacher, as it was believed he
would give US short address upon tho oeca-
sion, in response to request made few
hours previous. The audience being assem-
bled, Mr. llillyer spoke about as follows
Gentlemen, Trustees and Patrons Of Alma
Academy
1t has been thought best in the opening of
Alma Academy that should lay before YOU
a briet but detailed plan Of the modus operas-
di of my system of instruction. and my eX-
pectations and hopes for the school you have
honored me with. In doing the former
shall be brief, and being believer in the
truth ofthe proverb actions and deeds carry
more weight than words, shall omit the
latter and point to the results of the term as
an evidence Of the benefits efmy system of
instruction. This trust may be done with
pride, in the mental Improvement Of every
child you may place under my charge.
have come among you, gentlemen. for the
purpose OF grounding your children in what
Marryatt terms the rudimens of an educa-
tion, that will rebound to their benefit as
men Of business and women of culture, and
make them prominent parts of the body social.
| am here to institute and build up in your
midst an Academy OF high standard ol.stHdy
and that must and will enlage the material
interests of your little village. The people
OF the present age are rapidly realizing the
necessity and Importance of at least busi-
ness education. The Purtans in thoir early
settlement OF the country. built first church
and merit q schOo! house. The leaders in viii
lage designed for a future thriving town
should follow their example ii they desire
the village to grow with the passing years.
Mechanics and farmers-who have been truly
termed Fl the muscles of the body social -
upon the lookout for new location ask first
the question, "ls there a good school in the
neighborhood y And woe to the village that
presents no such inducement to cmigrants.
Ii il Stunned as Is the deadly upas tree. Edu'
cate your children within the borders of your
own State. Arkansas sends annually to the
schools and colleges of the different States Of
the Union representation of students sufii-
cient in number to maintain and support
within Your own borders university ofthe
highest order. This well knows fact is inju-
rious to the reputation of your State abroad,
and draws from the pockets of your people
vast sums Of money that should be retained
at hsme 10 advance the educational interests
of your state.
There can be ne need for me to speak to
you upon the benefits of an education either
partial or complete. Your presence here this
merning with your little ones. provcsyou arc
in the ranks in the progressive march o! the
age. 1t proves you desire to leave to your
children an Inheritance of knowledge the
possession of which is next in valNe to the
:" pearl Of great price" An inheritance
thieves cannot steal away, nor naught but
death deprive the II of. The question. Re-
solved, the pen is mghtier than the sword, y
il no longer debataOle one. From modern
proysrb it has become truism. Men decide
issues now by the power of convincing logic.
alUeQ DY lTCUCudub WIZ Iiiae ia viz bhi
ages days perhaps of more chivalric deeds,
but certainly Of less widely extended learn
iug-were decided slore by might Of arm and
opposing ssldiery. As education is EXTENDED
and Increased. mankind has She less need Of
any other weapon than reason to settle their
differences. The results ofthc military dchiere.
psents of The title Corporal" hive in a
great measure been lost in the revolution OF
what Carlyle terms the "whirligig of time, '
but his Code of Laws for the French nation,
still remains as an evidence Of his genius and
greatness, more enduring than monumental
marble or perennial brass" The children
of the land must be educated. They have
been truly termed by AN eloquent South Caro-
linian, the rose and the expectancy of the
fair young State" Educate them and their
individual prosperity in the future is assured
and the maintenance of our governmental in
stitution as a Republic is a certainty.
But to refer briefly to my system OF instruc-
tion. have been taught by personal eXpe-
rience that men-and boys and girls are but
men and women In minature-work to more
purpose when reward for cXertion is placed
before them. shall therefore incitc my pu-
pills to u friendly rivalry and studious exer-
ticn by the means of prizes. to be given at the
close of the term to the best scholars in the
school. | shall pay peculiar and very par
ticular attention to the scholars in the ele-
mentary branches of study, as in this depart
ment is laid the foundation of an educational
fabric upon the thoroughness of which de-
pends the use and stability Of the educational
stones placed upon it. a child well grounded
in the elementary branches will find but little
difficulty in completing finished education.
Much time, patience and perseverance will
therefore be given to this department. have
determined to Danish from every school room
over which may have any control those old
puritanical instruments Of Disgrace and tor
tlire. the Ounce Cap and Stools. They shut
up the valve Of good nature through which
the better feelings OF children flow. and cause
an insensibility to punishments, that is but
by path TO mental and moral dcgradatlon
Having never yet met the child whose regard
and respect could not be gained by kindly
treatment and patience with their faults.
hope to be even able except in eases of oX-
treme misdoing, to abolish the use OF corpo-
real punishment. ] shall make you semi
m m1nthly report of the progress and conduct
of your children and upon these shall expect
you to- act. There must be a hearty co-ope-
ration between US, or my twork can be but
halt performed Commend your child when
his or her report is crcditablc and rcprovc
when increased application is desired. To
the children present have one word TO say :
have but one rule to lay before you: BE lit
tie gentlemen and ladies and we shall be tru-
ly >" a happy family" Feel towards me as
you would to a personal friend, and rest as
surcd you will not regret IL. Gentlemen
trustees, | accept your school and trust may
be able 70 return It to you Increased In num-
bers and Its pupils advanced In mental and
moral improvement. am respectfully:
PHILo II. lIILLYBR, JR.
The school begins with encouraging pros