The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-10-29
A GLORIOUS SUCCESS
Great Educational Meeting At
PartlOW.
ELEcTRIFYING ADDRESSES MADE
About 81, 500 Raised For High
School, Etc.
Partlow. Va. Oct. 2G. l

PartlOw, Va. Oct. 2G. 1910.
Yesterday. the 25th. was day
| to be always remembered as mark
ed in whitest white at Partlow.
The occasion was a gathering in
the interest OF the high school to
be erected at this place. and the
special attraction was program OF
addresses by state superintendent
ID. u. Egglcston. Hon Roosevelt
! Page. OF Hanover; Mr. a IS
! Chandler. of Frederick sburg, state
Examiner. and Mr. Carter Redd,
superintendent of schools for Han
over. Mr.. James Ashby. OF stat
| ford. division superintendent OF
Spotsylyania and Stafford, presid-
ing.
The community here. always alive.
TO educational interests. had bc-h
stirred to eager expectation by the
efforts OF Mr.. W. G.. billiard. who
had actively canyassed this part OF
! the county TO gather as many as
| possible to profit by the opportu-
nifty the day offered TO hear the
subject OF high schools discussed
! UA ADlt anu NOAllIfAAhN AH'Hf
could give fullest information, as
well as broad and enlightened point
Of view.
4 large crowd assembled, carri-
ages. buggics and automobiles roll
! ling up before the appointed hour
filled with members of an lntelli-
gent audience. The long tables UNI
der the trees. constructed wisely and
with strong supports. signified in
! no uncertain terms what was the
purpose OF the hospitable house
keepers OF Partlow The details OF
the magnificent spread would be
delightful reading. but We must
omit them TO hasten to the even
more important features of the
occasion. Suffice is TO say that
the feast was monument alone, a
worthy addition to Virginia his
tory.
Mr.. Eeglcston. who led in the
speaking. gave an address exactly
and practically addressed to the
subject in hand. giving forcefully
and well the reasons for the es-
/ adjustment Of the high school here.
and shrewdly anticipating and ST.
/ lencing opposing arguments, and
when he had left the ignorance OF
On-progressiveness not an inch OF
standing ground, closed by show
/ ing so clearly how the proposed
/ building expenses could be met that
/ the warmed imaginations o. his
listeners could almost see the VS.
toned fabric rise and hear the ham
7 AL
/ ing note OF all was one Of in
spring encouragement; and the
tonic OF his admoniti0ns 10 the
moss-backs among taxpayers was
made attractive by many charming
| ~ told anecdotes. OF which the
sunny humOr brought his audience
/ into genial and hilarious
mood. propitious TO the opening OF
pOcketbOoks
After the applause with which
/ Mr. Eggleston's address was greet
ed. Mr. Roosevelt Page followed with
/ a speech unfortunately shortened
/ by an imperative engagement else
where. Mr. Page. not having time
| for the more external features OF
a popular address. went straight
TO the heart of the matter and the
/ hearts OF his hearers at the same
! time. After sentence or so OF
/ graceful acknowledgment OF illu-
sioHs to himself and kindly remarks
about others, he gave an address
which for pure. concentrated worth,
beauty and polish was gem. His
theme was plea that set us thrill
ing for the preservation of the
beautiful country life OF our bless
ed old State. TO which the best
schools were TO contribute by
keeping up a high standard OF prin-
ciples and culture In the country
homes, for which the name Of Nir-
ginia ought forever TO stand. The
effect OF Mr. Pages address was
surprise and swept us off our feet.
We had expected TO hear OF schools.
and so We did But all on a sud
den. close TO the subject OF schools.
vas laid bare the deep secret long
ing Of every true Virginian heart.
There II was. and Mr.. Page had
Just brought It out. all tear-wet and
flashing TO the light. before every
body: Stick 10 your country
homes. boys Never let them go.
ana i've NDItHllN lutIt.
Applause seemed trivial and
futile thing. We longed for bells
20 ring, powder. Roman candles any
thing that would make the welkin
ring with Amen to that" And
would you believe It? Although in
Permission was filled by that won
derful dinner there was a feeling
that dinner was a mere detail and
the interest too intense for much
time to be spared for H. Every
body knew we had Mr. Chandler
and Mr. Carter Redd in store and
wanted to know what they had to
say One highly intelligent
lady went so far as to wish the
funds raised might be devoted to
delightful, interesting occasions like
this. fine speeches, etc. instead OF
schools Illogical, but pardonable.
Mr.. Chandler was the first
speaker. and expectation was more
than fulfilled. Unfortunately and
greatly to the annoyance OF list
eners Mr.. Chambers exquisite adj
dress, finely expressed. as well as
beautifully thought and felt, was
made difficult to hear, as well az
; to deliver, by the violent wind that
rose while he was delivering it. 1t
was a most appropriate companion
= piece TO Mr.. Pages, and the theme
was like his, the same that has
charmed poetic minds since the
days of Theocritus and Horace un-
I til our own--the possibilities and
grace Of country life. seasoned with
the Attic salt of refinement and cul-
ture. The time fails to give all
OF its telling passages well worth
recalling.
The loud calls for Redo" after
= Mr.. Chambers speech closed show
ed his great popularity as a speak
err The wind had grown so bois-
ferrous that only a favored few prob
ably followed all he said. the ten
or of which was the growing fav-
or of the people as they grew ac-
quainted with the school Wagon
system which he has been inrroduc
ing with fine success.
The result of the day was g
substantial one. between 81 400
= and 81 500 being subscribed for the
=. new school building at Partlow
: where the enterprise and public
spirit Of the community well de
serves all praise as we'll as