Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-02-07
Literary Association,

held in the hall of Airy View Acade-
my, Port Royal, Jan. 30th and 31st.
The convention WAS called to order
at Z P. NJ. by Mr.. E. A Tennis, Pres
ident, who made the following appro
pirate remarks: "The Literary So
cieties are assembled this evening in
the capacity of a literary convention
for the third time in the history of
Juniata county. The necessity for
these conventions originated from the
rapid increase of the Literary work
in our county, and the apparent ben
eft that would result from a more
thorough organization of our forces,
and thus by united effort promote
the interest of our several societies
and advance the cause of education.
The people of Juniata county have
long stood in the need of educational
advantages to be derived from the or
ganization of Literary societies, and
am glad tonight to attest of the
spirit of Advancement, and the uni
versal favor with which our efforts
have been thus far characterized. We
hope to be able ere the close of this
convention to impress upon newly
organized societies more deeply the
desire for literary attainment, and to
awaken in the breast of every inhabi-
tant OF our county thirst for literary
improvement in elocution, compost
ton, debate, and general enlarge
ment of their intelligence. These
objects can be attained by the hearty
cooperation of all lovers of educa-
ton. and we extend the invitation
tonight. The good results of these
Conventions are already apparent
citizens all over the county attest
their usefulness, and are tonight to
add their testimony and assist in ma
king this convention the most profit
able and interesting yet held. There
is no good reason why there should
not be a literary society in every
school house III the county. We have
the time, the talent, and the money,
and all that is needed is little en-
ergy on the part of our School D.
rectors and teachers and they will be
able to set a literary ball rolling that
will not cease to revolve until every
inhabitant of their township becomes
shining star in the literary world,
and whose existence is due entirely
to the spark of knowledge first kin
died in the literary society. With
the opening exercises of this conven-
ton my duties as President closes.
l cherish the wafmest feeling for the
officers of the different societies |
throughout the county, and thank
YOU for the m inner in which you dis
charged your duties while un Ter my
care, and I hope that my successor
in Office will be the recipient of the
same kind attention, and that You |
will make rapid progress towards !
perfection under his leadership
Upon motion of Wellington Smith |
the election for officers for ensuing /
yelr was held over until the close of
the convention. Two day and two |
evening sessions We're held. The at |
tendance of members and spectators
was large: the exercises interesting 4
and conducted in an appropriate man
ner. The Hall was suitably arranged
for the occasion by the Port Royal |
Society. Every possible aid was rem
dered by Prof. David Wilson. Four !
teen societies We're represented by |
upwards of one hundred delegates |
A literary organization exists in every
township of the county but one /;
while in one, Walker, there are three.
The Delaware Literary of Thompson
town is the oldest and, without doubt, |
the model in the county. Original
Orations were delivered by S. N. |
Turbett, ]. II. Carney, Wellington
Smith, J. I. Seiber, John A. McMeen,
S. H. Trego, d. E. Lantz. Essays /.
by Matte Balsbach, Clara V. Dough |
erty, AdGe Grey, Anna E. Hardy, j.
L. Work, Jennie A. Ard, Llura How
ard. Reading, select, by Alice Sieber,
Mollie Robson, Elwin DIvis, VIM. !
Graham, J. I. Turbett, n. H. Esh, I
S. A Graham, Hugh Clark. Decla-
lamations by E. C. Snyder, J. I. Ty-
son, Jennie Hardy, Annie Guilliford,
Emma Cameron, A. l.. Robson, John |
Graham. C. c. Tennis, Luella Smith, !
Emma Robson, J. W. Robson, III. l. |
Altman, Arthur Van Dyke, George
Plett, Ella Dougherty.
The original productions were high
" creditable to the convention and to
them that produced them. The read
ings and declamations were equally
meritorious, as all can testify that
listened to them. No detailed account
can be given for want of room. Ma
ny good things could be said right
here. 1t is apparent that the talent
of the youthful mind is being rapidly
| JaroIa,ol a,I ,,ro-,or,1 for &b.