Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-31
A GALA DAY.
Grand Opening of Edgeield's New
SchOOIhOuSe.

ScnOOluOuSes
The opening of the elegant new school
building i'll Edsefield yesterday, was an
event III the history Of our thriving, pro
greSsive and enteTprising sister city. At an
early hour in the morning, the scholars,
some with their parents, commenced as
Sembling in the spacious apartments OF the
new s~chOolhouse. The bright eyes and
ppy,smiling faces were evidence sufficient
that the children. one and all, were proud
of their new building with its handsome
exterior and elegant appointments, and
fully appreciated the change from their
cranlped apartments o. Russell street, tOthe
new and spacious school which was then and
there to be dedicated to the cause Of free
education. Quite a number of citizens
were present, with Mayor J. \. Brooks,
almost the entire Board of Aldermen and
the Board of Education.
At 9 O'Clock the different grades of the
first floor were marched up to the spacious
study hall in the second story, where the
exercises were opened with prayer and Rev.
Dr. kirkpatrick, Of the Cumberland Presby-
terrain Church; Superintendent w. +.
Marks followed in remarks well suited TO
the occasion, in which be thanked the
Board Of Aldermen for the magnificent
gift, and the Board Of Education for their
indomitable perseverance in all the duties
pertaining to their trust, closing with aplea
to the scholars for close attention to their
studies. giving his word for
it. with a promise from the schOlarS,) that
the coming June examination should stand
second to none in the State.
John Frizzell Esq, President of the
Board OF Education, was next called out,
and made a short address, in which he re-
ferred to the struggle in the beginning,
which marked the dawn Of public educa-
ton. But four years ago, the population
was equally divided; now all Were for II
without exception. After words Of en-
enlargement to the children, and thanking
the teachers for the amount Of labor per
formed under difficult circumstances, he
introduced Mr.. III. c. Thompson, Chair
man of the Building Committee, who
gave his hearers a brief history of the
erection of the new building. He then
spoke in terms of encouragement 10 the
children. advising them TO study, and en-
deavOTed 10 impress upon them the beauty
of pTactiCing the first lesson Of instruction
lac had received from his mother, "DO unto
others as YOU would have others 10 do unto
YOU" This motto had been his conScien-
tious guide through life.
Mayor Brooks then entertained the audi
ence for a few moments, telling what the
committee appointed to procure a bell and
clock fer the new building, had accom-
plished, and showing a satisfactory con-
dition Of things in this particular.
The 3T5 children in attendance then
favored the visitors with a beautiful song,
the voices Of the little ones blending har-
m~oniously, and showing q very consider
able accomplishment in the divine art.
T. c. Crunk, the member of the Board
from the Third ward, in his happiest style,
next entertained the audience, and kept
all in a complete uproar by his pleas
anJry.
Rev. W. A. NelsOn,o of the Baptist church,
| and ". II. Morrow, ex-Alderman from the
Second ward, closed the speaking with SEN
sible- suggestions, ~interspersed with anec-
dotes pleasing to the many children assem-
bled.
The grades then passed to their reSpec-
tive rooms, where visitors dropped in to see
them at their studies. Altogether it was a
very interesting occasion, and will long he
remembered, particularly by the children,
who seemed to be delighted with the pro
ceedinCs.