Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-09-23
Professor Wlekerhaln's Lecture.

Professor NIekerhamss Lecture.
pRoFFssoR WIcKERsHAM delivered a lecture in the
Presbyterian Church last Friday evening, on the
ssCha7aeterisfics ofaa American Education The
speaker remarked that he had made 40 special pre-
paration for the occasion, but would present few
thoughts in such language as would occur to him at
the time Theaddress was evidently unwritten, but
pleasantly and forcibly delivered. The large audi
ehce listened with marked attention and interest un
Ill the close. We present brief synopsis.
FRsr:-Universality shonld be one of the'e 'eharae-
teristics of American Education. 1t might be said
that this should be feature of education in every
land aud it would be well if such consuInation
could be attained. But there is special necessity
for this in Republic, where all are sovereigns. The
crowned heads of Europe, and all invested with au
thorlty are, or ought 70 be thoroughly educated-
They think, they act, they egislate for the people
But in America al are rulers and hence all should
be educated. Every voter should be able to exeer-
else his elective. franchise ntelligeutly. The hum-
blest honest man in the law has power at the polls
great as that of the candidate for presidential hon
crs.
SEeoxBIY:-Ameriean education should be free
This itust be if we ever hope to make it universal
The wealthy must educate the poor. IS for their
interest to do so. Education dminishes the number
Of paupers and inmates of county prisons and pene
tentiaries. The more intelligent Community the
more valuable the property of those composing IT,
The greater the facilities of educating our children
which certain locality furnishes, the desira-
BE residence in il The erection Of that beautiful
school building On the outskirts of your pleasant
village has increased the value of yonr property
THIRpLY American education ought to be sound
and thorough There is too much education which
is merely superficial. Too many finish their edu-
cation when it IS only fairly begun. Young men hur-
" throaghthe common school academy, and college,
and are engaged in business before they are prepar
ed for It. We ought 10 learn a lesson from the old
world Young ladies get little smattering.o gcam-
mar, history and philosophy learn little French,
Spanish or Ifalian then their education is finished
they devote their precious time to the disspating
novel, the sensational romance, and sit in parlors
when they ought be engaged in the stern duties of
hfe informing their minds, and doing something
to elevate the race.
FoURTHIY American education should be con
ssTratire Attachment to DID, forms is not meant,
we should progress, But We should hasten slowly,
"FestinG leate, is the scholars motto. There IS
too much radicalism, hobby riding, arrogance of O.
pinion in this day. Men run off on this track The
summit of earthly good is yonder. They are men of
one idea, They think al others obtuse who do not
see Just as theT do or who do not exert all their
energies in precisely that direction in which they are
going with the speed ofthe lightning express. The
educated man is humble His range of vision is vide
BE moves deliberately. He considered the many
interests OF his felow-men, and seeks to advance
them all
LAsTIT:-The education of American youth should
be patriotic. Love of country should be instilled
and cultivated We ask not for par7yisp but patiot
ism. Our children and youth should be students of
history. They should be made familiar with the
deeds of our fathers the experience of revolutionary
dsys-the patriotic perseverng sefsacrifcng efforts
of noble men and women which resulted in the e.
rection of this Temple Of Liberty which is the JOY,
and glory of our land 1t is pleasant to hear chill
dren express their attachment to their native land
and speak with pride Of its grand old mountains,
majestic rivers. beautiful vales and fertile plains
We Ike to hear them sing such national songs as
The star spangied banner, Yankee doodle and
"rally round the Gag boys Let all be patriots.
May The American people be distinguished for their
education,s universal, free, thorough conservative,
and patriotic. Following up the chain of knowledge
link By Ink may we all pass through the mists Of
ignorance and skeptcisn up to the light and glory
and fefetty ofa better land