The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-01
State Teachers Association.
Sixteenth Annual Meeting at
Ottawa.
Lectures, q addresses. Resolutions.
&c. &c. &c.

ventiOu of fine Teachers of Illinois at this city
during the past three days. On Tuesday evening
the teachers and professors began to arrive, every
train bringing hundreds, that, at the opening
on Tuesday about 500 were present, and before
the close the number had swelled to over seven
hundred. The citizens generally threw open
their houses, and extended to the strangers
dill hospitality. The hotels were all filed, the
Clifton alone providing for nearly 2OO.
1t is attested by many who attended other
| meetings of the Association, that on no previous
| occasion wire the teachers received with more
open hospitality, nor had thore been better con.
vention in all its details Of harmony and high in
teilectual enjoyment. The programme was so
admirably arranged by Prot. S. NJ Etter, of Nor
| NAL. that one or two gentlemen of the highest at
tsinments addressed the teachers each day on
topics of interest, and in all the proceedings there
was no dizziness, nothing common place; but
each exercise from the welcome speech of Judge
Cation to the witty closing address of Prof. Ha-
ven WAS but continued succession of intelectu-
al fsasts and eujoymenss. a..s
The Association convened at Turner Hall at
10 o'clock on Tuesday morning. Rev. d. j.
Holmes invoked the Divine blessing. Dr. Miller
sang MY country, It's of thee" the audience
heartily joining in
The president introduced Hon. j. d. Cation, who
delivered an adj dress of welcome The speaker
said: The pleasant task has been assigned me
OF welcoming you to our city in behalf of its off,
20 and "a nenpla in, ha huui ,,,I
responsibilities, the people do not appreciate the
labor of the education of the young, we cannot
shut orr eyes to the obligations We owe to those
who shall come after US. and become the rulers
OF the land; and when we remember that the
teacher mouds the varied characters of the child
rem, then we remember the obligation we owe
you all, as having the most responsible position
that men and women can occupy, and the high.
est and most honorable of all professions. Cul.
tivate and cherish your most noble calling You
fill the most honorable position known to our
institutions. Do not forget your great respcnsi-
bility, and above all, never fail to have a Just
appreciation of your work. Who among us cam
not remember some kind teacher in his youth
through whose care and tenderness principles
have been iuculcated which have become part
OF our characters: Through life, how frequent
is the memory of those kind Offices which the
teacher has performed for his pupil! No one
from the depths OF his heart could bid deeper
or more profound welcome"
President Rowland responded, extending the
thanks of the institute to the speaker for his
| mn ~ INVITA- op1 cip
"We are now in the centre of the state, so far as
generous hospitality is concert d." and concluded
by expressing the desire that the ladies' and gen.
tlemen of Ottawa would as numsrouslv attend
every meeting of the institute as they have this
morning.
Some of the regular officers being absent, on
motion Mr.. j, V. Thomas, of Dixon was made
Secretary. and Mr. Powell, of Peru, Treasurer
pro tenn. Mr.. Wedgewood, our county superin-
tendent was appointed railroad secretary. r,-..
President Rowland then delivered the opening
address. II was able, sloquent-abounding in
beautiful figures, combined with the substantial
and practical His subject was the inut,ity OF
making either the school or the Office, education
or labor, the sole aim OF life. During the deiye.
ry Of the address he was frequently applauded.
In the afternoon the Hon. Newton Biteman.
state superintendent, read paper discussing
the school law, recommending many changes
After he closed the subject was further discussed
by j. T. Eberhart of Chicago, aud Prof Edwards.
In the evening Dr. Post, of St. Louis, delivered
splendid address on the study of history
SECOND DAY.
The second day opened with visibly augmen.
ted attendance Pursuant to the Arrangement
made yesterday, the Association divided into
three sections-the primary staying at Turner
Hall, the intermediate going to the Methodist.
Church. and the higher department. to the High
School building.
la the first department, the exercises were A
lecture by S. IL. White, of the Peoria Normal
School, on "Ihe proper course of study for prm-
AIRY schools" an essay, THE successful teather,"
by Mrs 4. +. Young, of the Chicago Practice
School; pretty exhibition of tho art Of teaching