Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-01-19
ICoMMUNICATIoN.l /

Mr. EDITOR Il am hot certain whether
you know that there was, on las. Saturday,
. spirited Educational meeting at GaFlitzin
and even if you do, your readers may not
Hence, | shall give you statement OF the
whole affair." The Directors and Teachers of
township. having resolved to es-
tablish an Institute, appointed meeting on
the 18th inst, at Gallitzin, apd
invited the County Superintendent and Alph. |
H. Sembower, Supt of Union School," of
j Johnstowp, both of whom were in attend !
ance The Teachers and Directors were
nearly all present. and about one hundred
pupils of the Gallitzin school, besides num-
Der Of other citizens.
The meeting was organized by the appoint
ment Of President in the person of Mr..
Griffin, Ga school director, ard Ii. G.. Norris
and James Gleason, Secretaries.
The forenoon session was then opened by
the County Supt who stated that the object
of the meeting was to organize a Township
Institute for the improvement Of Teachers =
He addressed the meeting for about an hour
on the improvement that might be made in
practical teaching Mr.. Sembower followed
in an address of about the same length, on
THE Duties of Teachers, Parents and Pu-
pills "
A committee Of FIVE was then appointed to
draft a Constitution and By Laws for the
organization of an Institute, and report next
Saturday at Loretto.
The afternoon session opened by an address
from Mr.. Sembower on .Educaton-its OBJ
ject and its results" He was followed By
half score of little boys, Who having caught
the contagion for public speaking, made some
of the best performances in defamation 1
ever heard. As this was unexpected, it took
the meeting by surprise.
The County Superintendent then delivered
an address upon the results Of 'sHunan en-
ergy well directed and Ill directed
The evening session was opened by Mr..
| Sembower in lecture on Arithmetic" du-
ring which he made intentional mistakes, and
was corrected by the little boys and girls
with wonderful readiness and accuracy. This
occasioned considerable merriment, and gave
interest to tae proceedings.
MIR. Mccormick followed in a short lecture
on the Important and less important rules
of Arithmetic,' and closed by analyzing
mentally some of the old puzzles in Arith-
metic.
The meeting was very animated and inter.
esting, and [ do not see why other townships
cannot do likewise. | am really ashamed oi
our county, not because it has no talent. fol
that is not true; but because the excellen
talent found everywhere within its limits il
rusting instead of SHINING. In almost every
other county there is action aud efforts which
entirely eclipse our own.
l was much gratifed 10 learn that th'
Welsh Of Cambria township have set such
noble example in the pursuit Of knowledge
, If Allegheny, White, jackson, and othe
townships bring forth the frIits that th
present buildings promise, they will be equa
to Cambria; and if every township follows tn
example, our county will distinguish itself il
literary prominence. l care not what the,
, may call the meetings if the end be self i'm
provement. They may call them ''Syncar
dian Clubs" ''Polemic Societies." Friend
of Knowledge" or Teachers Institutes,
e provided the result be improvement.
One man cannot revive the ex pring ener
gies of an entire county, 1t will take all me
to do it Let u. try. We may as well b
active as passive. We may as we'll shine a
rust. If the first effort fails, try again :
There is not great man in the Nation ths
did not once sign constitution and assist
) forming some little insignificant Society whe
he was boy, 1t is this course that make
great men. Let us try
OyR OF EN-