The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-07-09
THE STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

covered wagon, drawn by four prancing
steeds, and accompanied by the renown.
ed 1.-TWO horsemen riding down hill"
vending their way river ward. The par
ty consisted of Messrs. Kellogg al d Nor
ton, (equestrians) Misses Nichols, Slo-
cum, Ella, Huddlcston, Norton, Medill,
and Towner, and lastly, the brave and
stalwart Douglas who officiated as
coachman. We reached Council Grove
without any serious disaster at dusk
Monday evening, when a part of the
company accepted Mr.. AIather's prof
fered hospitality, the rest remaining at
the hotel. We were awakened III the
morning by the ''patter of the rain upon
the roof" but before breakfast 1t had
ceased falling, and we continued our
journey refreshed and invigOrated. We
dined in true picnic style under the
spreading branches of great oak tree
that grew near the margin of u beautiful
streamIet, about twenty-three miles
northwest of Council Grove. A little
after two o'clock Tuesday alternoOA, the
monOtony was relieved by u steady,
persistent, ever-increasing rain. that
continued without cessation during the
remainder of the day. The result was
anything but agreeable, especially to
the staid and dignified teachers of the
Normal, who rode disconsolatcly ahead,
with dripping garments, and soBtbreros
sadly dropping over their solemn VISA
ges. Now and then, one or both would
gallOp back to the wagon, aud with a
sort of melancholy, spasmodic attempt
at joyfullness, seek to enliven the in
mates thereof. The mud grew stickicr,
the horses more tired, and the Emporia
delegation more solemn every passing
moment.
Late Tuesday night we reached the
Kansas river, opposite Manhattan, but
tn water was so high that it was i'm
possible to cross in the dark, either by
ferry or ski1f, without great danger, and
we were obliged to retrace our steps to
a large and commodious farmhouse
half mile from the river, and solicit
food and shelter.
Early Wednesday morning we were
conveyed over the river in little skifl,
and after wandering through the mud
to hotel, were assigned our various
places, and forthwith prepared our
selves for the Association.
The opening address was given by
Judge Brewer, of Leavenworth, on
Tuesday evening. Subject: Modern
Development of Sciences. Owing to
the disagreeable weather but few were
present.
Wednesday morning the Association
was called to order by the President,
Judge Brewer. The exercises were
opened by prayer, followed by singing
by the Manhattan choir, of which Prof.
Plat was leader. The appointment of
several committees upon various matters
of interest, then took place, after which
II. ID. McCarty read strong, sensible
essay on Township Districting. Mrs.
Gorham then read paper entitled
''WOmen's Right to be2Educated." The
reasoning was sound, logical and con-
vincing, the elocution excellent. BY
some it was thought to be the ablest,
and best read essay of the entire ses-
sion.
Discussions of the essays followed
the reading of each, giving life and an
imation to the exercises. In the after
noon the opening chorus was succeeded
by an article by Prof. B. +. Nudge, on
Corporal Punishment. He regarded
it an outrage upon society," barbarous
relic that ought instantly and utterly to
be abolished in our schools. The debate
which followed was both lengthy and
strong, but was finally summarily dis
missed by the announcement that, at
the earnest request of the Association
Judge Brewer had consented to re-
deliver his address of the previous
evening. A large and attentive audi
ence listened, almost breathlessly, to ev-
cry wo as it fell from his lips, and the
outside world was for while forgotten
| as vista after vista of marvellous beauty
and thought was opened to the view,
giving u faint glimpse into the limitless
wonders and glories of Science. He
closed with few earnest and practical
remarks upon the great necessity OF
| still further progress, especially in the
adoption of the Phonic Alphabet, and
the Metric System of Weights and
Measures.
After some more singing the Asso-
citation adjourned till evening.
At half past seven the people again
assembled and after listening to some
most excellent music, were obliged to
endure, with as much patience as large
crowds are usually expected to possess, a
reading from Shakesp are by "a German
lady of Leavenworth. Her rendering
OF Macbeth might have been pronounced
excellent in a private parlor, surround
ed by select circle of appreciative
friends, but i'll a large house, densely
packed and badly ventilated, it was
only indifercntly good.
All were relieved and delighted by
the appearance of Mr.. Calvin Town
send of Rochester, N. Y, who for thC
remainder of the evening kept his hear.
ers in one continual out-burst of merri.
ment. His subject, Physiognomy, and
comic dclineations of DETERRENT charac.
tiers, reminded me strongly of Gougt
and his peculiar People" The audi
ence dispersed in excellent humor, vel
pleased that the usual tedious monotonH
of school business had been invaded by
SO much wit, sparkle, and brilliancy.
On Thursday morn the Association
in the absence of Judge Brewer, was
called TO order by Prof. B. F. Nudge, o