St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-01-03

water. All mankind agree in regard
ing it as an emblem of purity. In
the Christian world it is the badge OF
regeneration. l believe it is essential
to purity Of body and soul. l think
it should occupy an important place
in medicine, both as a preservative OF
health and as curative Of disease.
You do not expect, nor would you
wish at this late hour to hear disser.
tation upon the medical qualities of
pure water, even If my ability to treat
the subject properly would warrant
such an expectation. ;,
There is sect Of medical theorists
or, rather, there is very respccta-
bic school of medicine of late origin
respected for intelligence and for hon
est zcal-who believe that pure wa
ter contains in itself all the real vlr.
tues known to the materia ned'ea.
would not wish to say to what extent
| subscribe to this doctrine. 1t is pol
itic for one of my profession to be a
little mysterious to keep little IN
the dark. Iwould leave the question
to be settled by experiment. trust,
however that those outside OF the med
ical profession, particularly our cleri-
cal friends, will not regard us with
contempt because we cannot agree as
to the use of water in the mater,a n'ed,ca.
The clergy, l think, are in the same
category with ourselves. They differ
as to the place which water should
! Al ,.nnI, on1 l think fhp
difference among them is closely an
alagous to the difference among the
doctors. | believe that among all
Christian sccts, water enters at least
+ into the ceremonial part OF religion {;
and if am correctly informed, sect
of rcligionists has arisen within the
last few years, who attribute to water
the transccndant virtue OF washing
away even that stain which is the
common inheritance of mankind from
5 the sin of our first parents. But, SIR,
= | would leave these questions to be
settled upon the true principles OF
: philosophy the philosophy of expert
. mcnt. Experiment is the test OF truth
Y and so far as the medical question Is
: concerned doubt not it will be truly
S and cffectually settled by this test,
G though | confess do not see how we
c mortals OH this side of Jordan arc tc
;, learn the truth of the religious ques
d ton in reference to water, by the
e same means.
e 2, Orr Common Sciools-Caskets containing
II the Jewels of the State-may our teachers SCI
q that they are rightly set.
G Rev. E. J. McClclland responded al
!, follows:
c Mr.. President: l do not design t.
=. make speech tonight, yet feel my
= self highly honored in being calie'
c upon to reply to the sentiments OF thu
@ toast. Although l feel myself incou
petent to do justice to the all impor
Is tant subject it contemplatcs, yet
1t would say something with regard to II
Is As our own majestic rivers take thcl
" rise in the mountainous regions an
re course their way, imparting beauty
ir vitality and life to our own happ
IS country, increasing in power an
Mt strength until they bear upon thcl
FL waters the commerce OF the land, s
st with the children of cur land the
v. commence their course in our commo
h. schools they there receive the fir
of beginnings Of their future strength
nr their mature manhood, and to II
or teachers of the land is committed til
of most important trust. They are
cir power behind the Pulpit and the Pres
n DGy % gi.I trai'iea =. eU.nftit
schools, not only in the sciences the
taught, but in the principles Of virtu
truth and righteousness, must be u
lue true to his very being if he does II
sri- carry out in all his after life the
nd principles. If he is called upon
lcgislate for the commonwealth
to will lcgislate for the pcrpetnation
these principles through all the intul
For law is never in advance OF publ
~, sentiment, but is only the exprcssi'
re of this sentiment in legal form, al
9 in the creation of this public sen
III ment the teachers of our land have ;
=. " important part to perform, and ne
W. the advice, counsel and sympathy
rus all the friends of our common school
'" Especially is this true in this comm
l ra- nifty. We come together here fro
.ne the North the South, the East and Z
IS West, bringing with us all the infl
% enccs of our early training. We cor
nv here with our Ohio, our New Yol
'.o and our Massachusetts notions
:, common schools, and the teacher til
.p pe stands up before such heterogcneo
", mass has no easy task to perfor
'o' He must mould the children, the mot
we crs the fathers He must lay hold
this crude mass of mind and bring
der out of confusion, beauty out
-, deiormity. He has . work enough
hio fill his head, and heart, and hands.
me | was forcibly impressed with t
J., remarks made by my friend upon n
.,"' left, with reference to the difficulty
'ne conducting the press. ! thought
!" could enter into his whole feelin!
- and knew well how to sympathi
'a' with him in all his labors. | wou
s e now close, sir. by offering this as
&c, sentiment May our common schoo
-, continue to advance onward and u
W. ward until they shall occupy the pos
MS ton that our academies occupied
~ East, until all our children shall n
~ only be able to obtain in them Il
III principles of an English edncatio
~ 'u but that they may here drink OF Il
w. .' pure fountains of knowledge UNI
~ their mind and hearts shall be tul
.. prepared to discharge the import
~ trusts committed to them.
his 8. The May their hearts point
-, way to heaven, and their hands take the lea
&C Rev. I. w. Thurston responded
les follows:
came here with the feelings Of
, strangcr--these arc gone, and ! fe
myself at home. l saw your town
the first time about two years since
the day was one of the lovcliest OF
:; tumn, and as looked from the en-
Al