The New York herald., 1870-02-27
PROGRESS IN EDUCATION.
The Young Men Of Industry"-Fres Schools,
Free knowledge and Universal Intelli-
gence-Inhuential Meeting at
Association Hall

large and Intellectual audience assembled last
evening in the large hall OF the Young Mems Chris.
tan Association for the purpose ol forwarding "tbe
education OF Young men or Industry" Several dis.
tlngulshcd speakers among whom appeared the
name OF Governor Hotfmaa were announced to ad-
dress the meeting, and In consequence the nal was
filed to replction.
Mr.. LARREMoRE, President OF the Board OF Educa-
ton, occupied the chair, and after few introduce
tory remarks presented to the audience Mr. George
N. Sanders, Jr. conductor OF the evening high
school, who spoke at some length on the necessity
existing country for facilitating the Efforts OF
young men In pursuit or knowledge.
Mr. JAMES w. GERARD was then introduced and
delivered one OF his happy and characteristic
speeches. He said that the object or the meeting
had been, as ir seemed to him, rather indefinitely
stated They had however, met as a committee OF
the whole on public educablon-a subject to which
our citizens had not paid sufficient attention OF late
years. For eighty years the pubic school system Of
education mas been IN progress towards perfection.
and for twenty years OF that period he had
hecn actively engaged In forwarding the move.
ment. No one could chargo MN with sefishness,
Tor the day had long since passed when he sought
any pubic ONCE. HIS great aim hnd been to siiInu
c,s,,v se tne eauGaon o. an our young people esne
MS contact with puDic schools ne mad watched The
children OF all nations, ana as the result OF his ex
perlence he could say that no child was
IN danger OF receiving any impression that
would III any way be calculated to dcinoraize or
degrade hun. lapplause) lie glorlcd In driving no
fast horses (aughter) His taste and inclination
consisted In visiting schools and minglng IN the
society OF chiidren and ladies. In the izo public
schools IN the city OF New York there were 100 900
children, all mmgling together In the most beauti-
ful harmony, and beginning their studies cacn day
with the Lords PRAYER. That was u good way 10r
any one TO begin Tie day. and he confidently hoped
II wonld so continue together with the reading or
the scriptures without comment He held that the
clergy were the proper ana only persons TO give In
struction IN the aDsFrusc questions OF religious doc
trines In ihe pubic schools oil met together on
perfectly equal IoOtng--the children OF the mer
chant the banker ana the mechanic side by side
the lower grade not detracting from the higher bu5
the higher giving zone and elevation to the
lower lApplause.) He was pleased to sec that the
Young Mems CHRISTIAN Association mad united with
the Board OF Education, and especially with the di-
rectors OF the evening high school, IN order afford
young men means OF education. 1t WAS
rage between them both, and he hoped it would
be happy aud prosperous one and that neither
should ever seek a divorce. tAppiause and
laughtcr.) He referred to the condition OF tue
baneful effects or the want or education. With them
wnen one line OF business failed IT was almost I'M
attention to any other branch; but with tho educa-
ton afforded by our public school system every
man couid qualify himself 10 tnat II one business
Jailed him he could at once turn his attention to
another (Applanse.) He had often gazed on chill
dren in the public schools who had come from
the creations Of . Raphael. Money spent for the
purposes OF public education was we'll spent. and
even @ u man were nod % carrier no was the better
that moral people should be an enlightened
people
Mr.. WILLIAM NJ. EvARrs was the next spea ker.
and dllated on the benefits OF universal education.
lie followed Mr. Gerard In his line ol argument and
concluded by passing hisn eulogium on our splcn-
dld system or education.
A letter was read by the chairman, Mr.. Larre-
more, from Governor Hoffman, expressing his re-
grct fOg his inability TO be present the interesting
OCCASION, but hoping that the object for which the
meeting was convened would prove success.
The proceedings were then brought to q close.
Closing Of tho Saturday Normal school.
The hnal session OF the Saturday Normal School
was held yesterday at Ward school, No. Al, In
Twelfth street. deeply Interested and euthusl-
astic audience filled tue building 10 oyernowing.
Addresses were made by Commissioners Bell and
Wood and by James W. Gerard.
superb basket OF flowers was gracefully pre-
sentcd to Mr.. Henry kidde, the retiring principal,
by the ladies OF class A, First. Other 1oral orer-
1ngs equally beautiful. though OF less dluen-
si0ns, attcsted the arectonate regard or the
pupils for their preceptor and friend. pre-
amble aud resolutions Of the most complimentary
character presented to Mr. Kiddle by the secre
tary or aArgely attended meeting OF teachers held
Mt the same place ON Thursday last. Tncy were
beautifully and Impressvcly read by Commissioner
Wood. Mr.. kiddle evidently much affected by the
ascrbed the great Of the school the zeal
and ability OF his associates.
I he school ~ now merged in the new Female Nor
mai ana High school located on Fourth street and
Broadway, where the usual Saturday lectures Will
continue 10 be delivered.
Tho Hob0lxen Public Schools.
ha N oh IL, Jok