Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1870-08-04

.A1e"e1 " @A. xSA"esss NC sSoNnSIi VIM ~
n.
CCoxncy,cArD.
AddSess ef 71smss d. Perry to dc Pa,eas
and Pspiis Of Sekeoi No, 3,d elections distsief.-
Having finished the different exercises Of to-day,
II gives ne pleasure 10 stand here and express
my gratitude to you all for your kind aatentioa,
and the earnest interest which yoa manifest for
the welfare Of your children.
have bern engaged in this school room near
~ Eve years, during which time IL has been nv
earnest endeasor 10 give satisfaction and 10 pro-
mote the interest II my school: and, n no ccm-
plants have been lodged against me, trust that
when ] eiese this evening, may have the good
win and respect Of ell those foe whom have L.
bored during the past 6ye yeass.
er shall open again or not. The changes are
% many, and 50 great, that Il b difficult for me
TO decide u this time, whether shall have the
pleasure Of greeting again the patrons and pu-
pills in this school room or not.
The county commissioners having refused To
levy tax sufficient when added to the State
School fund, to carry on the Schools in this
coanty a. they should be carried On, and by 70
refusing having caused teachers salaries 10 be
u
cult to get teachers to take charge of the schools
Gentlemen, was satisfied to teach for the
sum OF $500, but since the school commissioners
have been necessarily compelled TO reduce our
salaries to mere nothing,-in my opinion IL
becomes obligatory for each and every teacher
10 resign that time houored occupation, and
leave his school until some change shall transpire
to warm a love for education within the breasts
of the citizens of old st. Aary's county and Of
the State Of MARYLAND
Far would it be from me to complain of small
salaries, even were they sufficient TO sustain the
most economizing teacher st. Mary's county
contains.
learn from good authority that the salary Of
o teacher for the next succeeding term is to be
the pitiful sum of $40, and, gentlemen, | ask in
all sincerity, what IS to BE- the result Of such a
pittGrce?
Have the authorities Of our county and even
Of the State of Maryland forgotten that they form
= part OF an enlightened nation, or do they fear
TO touch the purse Of their constituents Gem
tlenen, l ask again should that precious boon of
education he thus stigmatized? Are we to live
in ignorance, or should We be possessed of that
which we hold dearer than all else on earth?
Gentlemen, | assert that we should be allow
ed a fair proportion of educational advantages
Education is something which expands the mind:
and il is that power which raises one nation to
the dignity OF, and causes it TO be greater than
another.
These are reasons why We should be in posses
sion of that es,imable and flowing fountain of
sweetness whose echoes ring forth and Invite all
nations of the earth TO inhale her fragrance
She is far more beautiful than the early fow-
ers of spring, and her tints are endurabie. She
is d0cile, and by knowledge OF her melodious
voice, beam of radiance shoots forth from eve-
~ brow. Her golden ringlets shine with lustre
and, in word, her gentle powers cause happi
ness to dwell around every hearthstone.
have personiied education as being of the
feminine gender, but feel free from criticism
when likewise assert that it is found in both
genderS for | May well say It's him whose bold
hands are stretched forth grasping the power Of
all nations. In every quarter Of the globe, he
makes his mark Of distinction, and his power is
felt in every land.
Then for these and other reasons, Il becomes
the duty OF all parents TO store up for their chill
dren that precious treasure which will not fade,
but Is endurable so long IS life may last.
Then, am sure, that parents who love their
children, and who have any knowledge Of the
vast importance Of education, cannot conscien-
tiously neglect to send them to school when an
opportunity will permit.
But there is a mist pending over the public
schools in this county at the present time, which
tends to deprive us Of portion Of our education
al advantages yet l trust, sitter q short time.
be carried on successfully.
Yes, gentlemen the school system in our coun-
" is being shakened TO its very foundation
Our noble and generous hearted School Commits
sioners have been bafied In their designs, and I
fear they will be constrained to close the schools
for at least one term, there is no other alterna-
tive whereby they can settle the already accrued
indebteiness of the board.
Gentlemen, in all probability the schools viii
be closed during the fall rm,-but trust that
when they are reopened, they may flourish, and
every blemish may be buried in oblivion and
that we may be the recipients Of its blessings,
and that every one may taste its balmy sub
stance.
Gentlemen. through ignorance, some parents
will say: II don see any use OF sending grls
TO school so much, so they can read and write,
that's sufficient" aud others will say, ..weil, !
don't think il worth while Tor poor people to
send their children to school. l have ALWAYS
made out to get along without any learning and
and my children can do the same"
Yes gentlemen, some parents are 50 much mis-
informed Of the powerful advantages Of educa-
ton that they will even venture to deprive their
children Of that which in all cases will rebound
to their prosperity and happiness.
Gentlemen, have been . public school teach
er nearly five years, and il YOU consider me Ca
pable Of giving advice in regard to education, I
would say to you, send your children to school
where they can acquire q knowledge of some
thing which is far superior TO anything else you
can give them-senleihing for which they will
be grateful 10 you during year whole HIVES
Evcn alter you are IL :he silent tomb, you will
be remembered b. these dear ones whose hearts
will ;hrob after YOU and . memory Of yon viii
ever dwell with them.
Then, ladies and gentlemen, let me invite that
when you are earnest for the welfare Of yonr on.
spring, and wish 10 store up treasures for them
let those treasures be stored in their mind-let
that knowledge box Of theirs be filled first for in
that may be enveloped the mosrpowerfal riches
this world affords.
But now, ladies and gentlemen, must turn
my attention 10 my pupils.
Nv young friends, you must excuse me for not
speaking 10 yoa before. have plenty Of time
and am going to sag something which wish
you always to remember.
We have spent many happy hours together in
this old school room, and the happines which
have experienced when surrounded by your
youthful, sailing faces is superabsndant.
fes, my yoang friends, thirty-eight 1 you
have adorned this school room during this year,
and now that we are about TO part with each
other for short Space of time, have the salts
faction Of saying 20 yoa TIA: yoa have conaae.
sed yourselves well, and to-day have responded
TO the Questions tha: have beca asksd you with
accuracy.
Yes, NY dear young A;sndS - happy to
sAy you have taken . nseA insexsss II yosr
studies that yca wefe e1Abssd 10 soqait year-
solves With % much prcprisy ~ ~ e HI
srty 10 ~ No pareno have any 0nss b fggsge
the froahls thsy nay Ave ben e in Anding
yoa 10 school, bat On Tia eoatraxy, coassnHs6
nes e1as hene in every hrsna.
Now thas 20 azs - have . soag vocation,