The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-05-28
A Normal school.

The Lecture by Prof Wckersham, on the
subject of Normal School in this locality, of
which we made extended mention last week is
not, we hope destined to pass without produc-
ing proper fruit. The inducements held out
by the Professor all have their foundation in
his own personal knowledge of the law and of
experience in the establishment of fsimular insti-
tutions in other localities. At Millersville, in
Lancaster county, the school was the Professors
own bantling-the project of his own mind and
started on his own responsibility, and we feel
that we hazard nothing in asserting that a
more successful project was never conjured up
in the brain of man, whether as promoter of
education or as financial speculation in con-
ection. So too, of the similar institution at
Kutztown. 1t began precisely as we propose
beginning our school here, and like ours it
found its enthusiastic adherents and its croak-
ing opponents. The former were undismayed
by the dismal prophesies of the latter, but put
their shoulders valiantly to the wheel and
now Kutztown, like Millersville, boasts of
a School filled with students, from the expenses
of whose education and support thousands of
dollars flow monthly into the pockets of the
inhabitants, besides affording them the best
possible educational facilities for their children.
Other institutions, similar in character, but
started more recently, are rapidly following the
lead of these, and are with wonderful strides
marching up to the line of success for their in
terests and for the pecuniary and intellectual
profit of their projectors.
And why should Stroudsburg and Monroe
county hesitate in making move in the same
direction. All experience goes to show that
Normal Schools have ceased to be an expert
ment, and become an assured success. And il
this is so, as it is beyond peradventure, in
other places, what is there to hinder its becom-
ing doubly a success here. There is not a
Normal School in the State that has one tenth
part of the natural advantages in point ol
locality that Stroudsburg and vicinity possesses
Millerstown was mere hamlet and unknown
outside of Lancaster county, until Secretary
Wickersham stamped the impress of his energy
upon it in the establishment within its bounds
of one of the best educational institutions in
the country. Now its reputation is world wide
Kutztown was known only for its battallions
and frolics and its reputation was anything
bat enviable until its Normal School was foun-
ded A very few years have intervened since
then, and yet now in reputation Kutztown
stands beside Milersville as an educational
fount
But what of Str,udsburg and vicinity? Ir
answer need we do more than simply refer tc
the thousands who visit US each season in quest
of health and recreation, and then fall in love
with our delightful scenery, our pure bracing
mountain air, our excellent, invigorating water
and go home rebuilt both in mind and body
resolved to make preparation to come again
Leaving out Prof Wickersham's source from
whence to draw patronage to a Normal Schoo
here may not much be calculated on safely
from this source also? Where the parents
find health, would doubtless prove the spot tt
which he would send his child to preserve
health, if an excellent school at reasonable
rates were to be had This is certainly devoic
of all speculative ifs and butts.
All the facts considered we conceive that
the only question incident to the matter is tn
question of desire. Do we want Norma
School in this vicinity? Do we desire to prof
by its great profits and its still greater educa
tional advantages? If yea, land who can doub
it?) we have but to put our shoulders to tn
wheel to make the desire a certain, positiv
profession. The labors of three months ag
clearly dem monstrate that this is not an unac
complishable task by any means-that the diff
culties are not insurmountable. But $4,000
are required to be raised here. Seventy cd
thousand were subscribed in Stroudsburg, Eas
Stroudsburg and Water Gap three months ag
in very few days, and the county not pretend
ed to be canvassed. What was secured the
can readily be secured again, especially as tn
money is not to be sent away to be expended
doubtful project, but to be expended rigt
here at home, in securing, besides the $500
donated by the State, certain, regular sourc
of income to our farmers, mechanics and trad,
people generally, and to the imparting of VIII;
is infinitely more importance, first class educ
tional advantages to the youth and young foil
of both sexes Of our own and the neighborin
counties.
Are not these considerations sufficient to il
duce us to go to work with determination
conquer success. Let it not be said of us TIL
the plain path of duty so brilliantly set befo
by Prof. Wickersham has been allowed
rankle with weeds because of our neglect
walk therein.
Neiiie's Wedding.