The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-01-07
THE ADDRESS.

1k1F. IFeSatellt, Lu0teS ana Gelt!e7len:
To choose a good end and employ the
right means for It's attainment, is the part
of wisdom. And in proportion to the
greatness of an object, and the difficulties
of reaching it, is it worthy of wise mans
endeavors. Among objects Of this charac
ter, it is universally conceded that Educa-
ton stands in the very first rank.
Now, what is that training, moral and
intellectual, that viii be best adapted to
the "Anaericdn ,Student' for the duties
and trials of life?
This is surely question of deep inter
est. 1t is engaging the attention of the
intelligent, and the good all over the land.
Every State Government in the Union has
manifested more or less solicitude upon it.
The periodical press, educational societies
that are springing up in every direction,
foods of treatises from the imposing Fol-
ulne to the unpretending pamphlet, all at
test the Importance of a solid education, of
thorough education of the mind in ele-
mentary truths
It would be strange indeed, amid SO
much thought, so many plans, such wide
spread, intense exertion upon this subject,
If some wisdom has not been elected.
We believe that much may be gathered up
BY the careful obseryer-that education in
these latter days has been much improved
both in its principles and in its practical
details.
The methods of teaching are better
elementary books are vastly more clear,
simple and interesting than they once were,
and what is of still higher Importance, the
character, both literary and moral, Of those
engaged in the work of instruction is stead
lily advancing. Indeed, we have often
been tempted to envy the youth of the
present day, the advantages they enjoy.
Still, it requires effort to learn, and
always will. The hill of science cannot be
leveled, and however smooth the path to
its summit may be made, it must ever be
an arduous eminence.
Learning by Study must be won;
Twas ne'er entailed from sire to SOU"
Still we venture to affirm that the same
distance may now be Travelled over in far
less time, and with much less wearisome-
ness, than when some present were Chamber
ing up the toilsome steep.
In the further prosecution perhaps [
ought to say persecution-of our subject,
it will be our object to present some of the
principal characteristics of that education
which the American Student requires.
I.-And first, we observe, that the train
ing of the American Student ought to be
ealinently practical.
Let us not here be misunderstood. We
have no sympathy with that groyeling spirit
which raises the lip of contempt against
everything in science and literature not
obviously and Immediately subservient to
worldly gain; nor with that short-sighted
selfshness which would discourage the
pursuit of truth in any department of
knowledge, because the use OF what is dis
covered may not at once be discerned.-
Neither can we regard with complacency
that knavish or stupid empiricism which
stumbles on in darkness, rather than looks
upward to the light of principles. These
we consider irreconcilable foes to sound
| education, and therefore we would not at
ford them the slightest countenance. 1t
may, then, be thought premature to dis
cuss such subject, while so many parts OF
it are still in dispute, while SO many I'M
provements are daily being made, and
while so much that is valuable Is yet TO be
brought to light But We will endeavor
to avoid doubtful matters, and to profit by
all which has really been gained. The
outlines of a noble landscape may be
clearly discerned, and its grand features
correctly delineated, while many things in
it, both useful and ornamental, are still
hidden from the eye.
When then we say that education il
this country ought to be eminently practi
cal, we do not mean that it should be les
scientific, or less classical, or less philo
sophical, but that along with these highe
attainments there ought always to be com
municated that knowledge which will fl
the student for his part in the intercours