The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-06-15
APT PIPIE Or
ALI IA MA q TER IsR

Cal LhS
IT was during this time that the Leg,
isIature failed to uaItc any approprla' |
zion Some of the teachers who had
been earnest workers II the school Tor
several years resigned, but others, be- |
lieyinE in the nobility OF their WORK
and recognizing its importance, Work.
ed on, Still the influence of DIR. Blair
lived. and this, together with the spirit
Of the many friends OF the institution,
carried her safe through this period.
This opposition seemed TO strengthen
the school for she now made such
rapid growth that new building De
came necessity, as in 1893, the
school was moved from the old Nor
nal hail to the present connections
building She was now recognized as
,he strongest Normal School in the
State.
Then in 1901 came period that
| may indeed be considered critical.
The question now arose as to the num-
Der of Normal Schools West Virginia
should maintain. Certain men. h1Sh IN
power and influence were in favor OF
abolishing some of the Normal Schools
and of removing the Fairmont Nor
NAL to some other place in the state.
The question is not yet settled Inc
time may not be far distant when TINS
purpose will be carried out. When
this is DONE this institution VIII pass
ont of existence The real value of
school or college is its heritage OF
ma st. rich in memories of noble men
and women who have freely poured
hnct-thp cir lnSDtra-
ton. their ideals and their hopes-for
its upbuilding. The atmosphere or
noble past full of high ideals and noble
courage is the very breath OF lie 10
an Institution such as ours. ms is
something that cannot be removed at
a word of command and given to an
other school. We feel unseen pres
ences in our halls and class rooms
that inspire us. The very walls nave
for us memories of our own expert
ences that are precious TO us 10 nun
dreds of the truest and best men ana
women of our State the very name
the Fairmont Normal School, is the
embodiment of the hopes and ambl-
tons that have inspired them in their
life work.
who will not see Is commercial in
terest alone holding our attention!
At a period. when money is coming IN
from all sides, when our people are
more prosperous than ever before.
when our little Mountain State is
pouring ont wealth-such as our faith
ers never dreamed of. when we are
amply able to put our educational IN
situations not only on sure lootlnS
but on a broad basis OF usefulness;
then it is that we forget that the edu-
cation of the heart and intellect Is
better than silver and gold. We 1or-
get that culture which no misfortune
can depress, no despotism enslaVe-
rhe culture that gives grace and Sc
c,1rity to the individual and order TO
tine State is the only true wealth. The
state has not yet granted to this
school the facilities which would en-
able our Alma Mater to fulfill her man
fest destiny-thc promise OF her Slo-
rious past In this respect we are
moor, but it is not alone in money
that this is true. We are poor IN
mat we need men who are willing,
IF need ne, to sacrifice their own per- |
sonal interests TO the good of the in |
stitution; we are poor in enthusiasm
and in unselfsilness.
citizens, Will you allow our beloved |
school to be blotted out, school OF
which You are all proud, and which
has educated many Of you as we'll as
your sons and daughters. school
- hicTl has brought many good Citizens
70 your town. and which has furnish
ed you noble young men and women
IS teachers for your public schools!
Are you willing for this?
Members of the Alumni. Will you
not rally around your Alma Mater as
the boys in blue rallied around the
Stars and Stripes in 81? Can you al
ford to see the school which has given
YOU a thorough training for your lite
work closed or removed from its ma |
tive town? Is that old school spirit SO |
frozen in your veins, that your VIII per- |
nit this? o citizens! Alumni! Stu |
dents, Let us stand by our institu- |
ton, and uphold the banner OF loyalty |
to the Farmont State Normal School,
My boy doesn't seem to have got
along here very WELL" said the office