The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-22

and that is the reason the present genera
ton can SO truthfully sing the praises of the
past one hundred years.
1.-THE Caledonia County Grammar School,
or Peacham Academy as it is generally
called, was established to meet the wants
Of a formative period of society, and was
one OF the first If not the first, Of the county
schools endowed by the state with grants OF
land for school purposes, 1t probably is
the last that remains distinct as originally
designed by the state Legislature. 1t is not
surprising that II was so eminently success
full at first az for many years there were
few similar institutions in the state. Still
we see, in this period, what the right kind
OF blood can accomplish. The incorpora-
tors and first board of trustees were men
who were willing to make great sacrifices
in their day that coming generations might
reap the fruits OF their labors. When the
church assembled in the academy building
to worship God, as it did until the erection
of the first church edifce in 1906, it seemed
to set Gods seal upon this school, and, call
IL daughter or sister as you will, the rela-
tionship of the two has been exceedingly
close. The life-throbs of the one have been
felt in the other from that day to this
The names OF the first board of trustees
were Alexander Harvey, James Whitelaw,
Josias Lyndon Arnold, David Goodwillie,
Daniel Cahoon Horace Beardsley, William
Chamberlin, Benjamin Sias and Jacob
Davis. These were true and tried men,
The pecuniary sacrifices OF those who
founded this institution must have been
something surprising. The state gave the
land, the income from which, at low
rental, was to be applied to the running ex-
penses OF the school, while the building was
to be erected and other expenses borne
almost entirely by the town. Peacham also
pledged the salary OF the principal for the
first three years, $333.33. At that time this
was no Insignificant sum. The tuition was
then free to all pupils in the county and
only twenty-five cents per quarter to all
outside the county. AS the church seemed
almost divinely inspired in securing Leonard
Worcester their eightieth candidate, as
their pastor, so the school was equally for
tunate in securing Ezra Carter as its first
preceptor. Able, enthusiastic devoted to
his work, above ALL the sternest Of the
stern as disciplinarian, the scholars at
once caught the inspiration Of his genius, so
that the first ten years OF the academy were
indeed a blaze Of glory.
Mr.. Carter's successor was Jeremiah
Evarts, father Of the celebrated New York
lawyer A very active man in school and
religious work, he, too, impressed his de-
votion upon the school. David Chassell,
afterwards greatly honored as theologian
David Merrill, never to be mentioned in
other than language of eulogy; Samuel G.
Bartlett, who later won a national reputa-
ton as preacher, lecturer, college president
and author; the Worcesters, unnecessary
to mention in presence like this; Daniel
NJ. Christie, leading lawyer of the New
Hampshire bar, having for his associates
and antagonists such intellectual giants as
Franklin Pierce, Jeremiah Mason and Dan
iel Webster John King Lord, for many
years an eloquent preacher in the West;
the Chamberlins, name always honored;
G. G. Chase, who, after his apprenticeship in
Peacham Academy, was head OF the high
school in Lowell, Mass, for more than
thirty years and is yet spending halcyon
days in green old age; William Chamber
lin Bradlee and Thomas Scott Pearson,
both dying too early to accomplish the
grand life work OF which their earlier years
gave such promise; Alfred Rix and w. E.
Barnard, both successful men across the
continent; G. o. Thompson, the genial gen.
tleman, rapidly rising in his profession
when he died all too early it seemed to his
friends; Charles Chase, summoned home
before his life work was we'll commenced,
and Charles Quincy THRILL since prominent
in law and politics in the state OF Massachu-
sets, all were preceptors of Peacham Acad-
envy. Others there were with whose record
/ am less familiar, but this one thing /
know, Of them Peacham has never been
ashamed. All these have boen men in
sympathy with the church and many Of
them earnest and willing servants in her
work.
"But if Peacham Academy has been
fortunate in the founders OF the town, the
preceptors, it has been equally fortunate
in its great army OF alumni. They are
scattered all over the globe to-day and for
ninety-seven years have taken bold hand
in the active work of the world. If time al
lowed how many names familiar to your
ears could be mentioned of those who in
earlier years won fame and fortune. Nor
have those of later years brought less honor
to their alma mater. / do not say IL to fiat
ter, but speak the words OF truth and
soberness, when / assert that it has been my
high privilege to associate here with not
few, but very many, of the manifest OF the
manly; the most womanly of womankind.
/ have met those, possibly, of more polished
manners, of more gilded hypocritical pre-
fences; but not in my schoo-boy days, nor in
my latter busy working days, have |
mingled with those possessing more valued
qualities Of head and heart.
TT is especially fitting that the school
should have some little voice in our cele-
bration to-day, because Of the very init
mate connection which has always existed
between the academy and the church. The
citizens of the town have ever regarded the
interests OF the one as the interests OF the
other. Does the church have some project
to carry out? the school is always ready to
lend helping hand. Does the academy
| wish to accomplish somethingp the church
instantly feels itself under obligation to as
sist AS the leaders in the town and church
started the school, the church has ever
watched over the school as favorite
elder daughter. We have diminished in
| population to less than 1000 at the
present time, but nevertheless 1 do not
think our grand old town is entirely back
| number.
"In these days OF training experts for
modern games there must be some place for
unpretentious schools which devote them
| selves largely to mental culture. There is
still a need of Peacham Academy and a
work for it to do. 1t has been an inestimable
blessing to the youth OF the town in the
past, and it may be such, in still larger
measure, to many generations in the future.
| Guard 1t, then, trustees and citizens, as one
of Peachams choicest treasures, and when
| at the close of another century our descend
| ants shall review the record, may 1t prove
That the benefcent influence Of both church
and school had, to-day, but just begun.
a." Century pastl we thank thee for this hour,
| For all thy gifts of blessing and of power.
Century TO comet we hail thy grand advance;
Presaging good, Gods interests to enhance.
| Another century for manhood stand.
| And as we here with ecstasy and cheers,
| Recall the record of a hundred years,
| SO may our children, grateful for the past.
| Rehea like us, the glories that shall last
| Go on, church go on, SCHOOL, we pray,
Till error, vice and wrong have passed away.
Go on, school go on, O church, we pray,
TIL honor truth and right are ours Away"
The historical addresa WAS nv Rev M, M