The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-01-11


TEACHER's AssocIATIoN.-The meet
ing was called to order by the Presi-
dent, Mr.. j. Ii. McMechen, Principal of
9th Ward Public School.
After the opening exercises, A. Ste
phens, Esq. of Pittsburg, addressed
the teachers on the subject OF "Penman-
ship" His remarks were purely of n
didactic character, and were listened to
with marked attention by the teachers
analysis of letters, showing that each
letter is to be analysed, not only by
principles but by elements.
Mrs. Parkinson was next introduced
TO the Association, and after making
few pertinent remarks upon the sub
ject OF "Elocution," she by request,
read POe's Raven. On motion OF Prof.
+. S. Williams, vote of thanks was
rendered this lady, for the very able
manner in which sine rendered this
beautiful poem.
Prof. c. II. Davenport next took the
floor and addressed the Association on
the subject of general Culture" AT
ter very ably treating his subject, In a
general way, he said "Ieaving others to
to perform their duties in their own
time and way, let US now consider
what is necessary that our labors as
teachers may be most effective. What
is to be accomplished by our public
school system? What end do the
people propose TO gain by this
outlay of so much money and
labor, in erecting suitable build
ings for tho accommodation or the
children, ard i'll the perfecting the syS-
TEN of public Instruction. We answer,
to make good citizens. The history of
our country for the last few years will
show how much We need this element
in our whole body polite.
Oar public schools form the keystone
ofthe arch upon which rests the super
structure of our federal republic. The
constitution and laws are but the eX-
pOnents of tho will OF the people, and
are the measure of their intelligence.
A 1OOd citizen must have self-cOntrol'
must be willing to yield TO authority,
must have Il knowledge of political
economy, especially OF his own country,
a G God knowledge of ancient and mod
ern history, civil and political. His
mind must be trained for independent
action, and he must be controlled by
the pure principles of christianity. In
order that man be thus fitted for life
he must hnvo cultivated hts faculties
and physical powers. II the intellect
alone be developed, man is a nero re-
ceptacle of Knowledge, without sympa-
thy, without any idea of moral Obliga-
ton, and without amy capabilities OF
enjoying the society with which he is
, surrounded.
If the AensiblliIiea, alone be develop
ell he is entirely under the control OF
his passions, and is tossed to and fro,
as a ship on the ocean pillows, at the
mercy of whatever passion may pre-
dominate. If the physical powers
alone, be developed, man is beneath the
brute creation, because. the great char
acteristics which distinguished him
from them, are removed, and in the
remaining faculties they are his supe-
rior."
In showing how this great dcSiderG-
tam was TO bc gained, among Otoer
things, he said that "therc should be
attached 10 every school IL we'll arrang-
ed gymnasiuu, from tho fact that
where there is not such II department
the very best scholars and those who
need the most physical exercise, take
the very least. Hence those best fitted
for life on account OF their scientific at
. tairrnents are less fitted physically"
After few remarks 10y several OF the
Principals, the President OF the As
ISOLATION announced Professor r. j..
Blakley and Miss Jane y. Anderson as
the speakers at the next regular meet
ing.
The Association then adjourned tn
meet at the same time and place on the
second Saturday of February.