The Portland daily press., 1874-05-02
Agassiz.

On Thursday the 2Sth instant, the whole
civilized world is invited to join in gifts to-
wards memorial fund in honor of Louis
Agassiz, the fund to be kept separate, as the
Memorial Fund, and the income to be appl-
ed to the support OF the Museum OF Compare
tive Zoology at Cambridge; which was iouhd-
ed BY him, and which is to be carried on In
accordance with his far-reachlng plans.
Perhaps the most interesting part OF this
memorial is that which it is proposed to raise
from the teachers and pupils, of the private
and public schools and colleges in the United
States; to be kept separate as the teachers
and pupils memorial fund.
io The proposal for such birthday monu-
ment to the memory of the great naturalist
was first publicly made by Rev. DIR. Hill
of this city, through the Christian Register
of Boston, in an article republished as an ap
pendix to his sermon delivered in the First
Parish Church, the Sunday after Agassiz's
death. 1t has been welcomed in an enthusi-
astic manner by all the leading men in educa-
ton in the whole country; and they cordially
recommend the teachers and pupils Of their
respective-States to join in the demonstration
In our own State a circular signed by ex-
Governor Washburn, Presidents Chamber
lain and Robins, Professor Barbour, and ex
President Hill, adds the suggestion that those
who are peither pupils, nor teachers, may
nevertheless, as past pupils, have the privi-
leEe Of contributing.
h' The most remarkable of these supplement
ary circulars, which we have seen, is dated
at Springfield, Illinois, April 25, 1874, and
signed Newton Bateman. We happen to
know something of Mr.. Bateman, the Super
intendent of Education in that Empire
State, and have for years held him in high
esteem. We trust we violate no confidence
in saying that he began his studies in hol-
low trse, and continued them there until the
frosts, even OF Sangamon county, became so
sharp that his fire opposite the opening failed
to make the rlral study inhabitaole. A man
whose thirst for knowledge and energy of
character carried him to college through such
difficulties and straits, was worthy to be
townsman and friend of Lincoln; and is
fitted to appreciate the great services of Louis
Agassiz to the cause of education, to which
he, also, is devoting his noble powers. His
circular would fill nearly two columns of the
PRESS, and carries the reader on like glori-
Gus grafton; first stating the object; then
bringing before you life like portrait of
Agassiz, his matchless genius, his prodigious
in lustry, his exalted character, his ingenu-
GUS and child-like spirit; the magnificent re
cult of his later labors, in the foundation and
partial establishment of the museum at Cam
bridge. Next he passes to mastery sketch
OF Agassiz's power as teacher, and of the
influence which he has exerted, and will for
csntury to come continue to exert on educa-
tion in America, and In the world; the weight
OF grateful obligation under which he has laid
sad will continue to lay our schools and col
legN; he belonged to no one city, state, or
even country, and to us of the whole United
States bslongs the post of honor in accom-
plishing this great work of building his mon
ument; q memorial, as Mr.. Datenan goes
on to say, more noble, more enduring, and in
fnitely more benefcent than any structure of
granite, bronze or marble. This monument
ID to be the enlargement and perfection of
the school of Natural History, which is in
the Museum, open to all school teachers, so
as to multiply and diffuse its benefits more
and more widely in all the States, according
to the plans left on record, in detail, of the
illustrious founder; to be carried into execu-
tion by his gifted and learned son, and by
those whom the elder Agassiz had honored
With an intimate friendship. Mr. Pateman
emphasizes the fact that the Museum is in
actual operation and firmly established, and of
most benefcent effects on education through
out the country, so that nothing given to
this memorial fund will be wasted on expert
ment, or on parade and show, but all will be
applied to further work already organized, by
plans and methods already elaborated and
perfected.
The State of Maine had the honor of max
ing the first public suggestion of this enter
Prise, and the State Superintendent at Angus
Ia, was the first to respond to the Committee
entrusted with the work of appeal. Having
thus acted in accordance with her State mot
to, she will not allow the birthday to pass
without contribution. Let every teacher
OF public or private school lay the matter
before the pupils, give them anecdotes O
Agassiz's wonderful character and marvellous
feats, explain the nature of the Museum, anc
then ask for freewil contributions. Let the
single pennies of the little child be accepted
40 gratefully as the half eagles or double
eagles OF the adult and wealthy collegaa
School-teachers in isolated places can remit
direct giving the name of the school an
their own post office address). Direct to IL
treasurer, James M. Barnard, ID Exchang.
street, Boston. In cities and villages, the
teachers would do well to consult beforehand.
and agree upon some one to collect the con
trioutions from the separate schools, and
cover all in one remittance
We shall look with great interest to hear
the result of this general appeal. Our coun-
lily has been greatly honored and benefited
by Agassiz's twenty-seven years labor among
us; now is our opportunity to make his res
ldence here still greater honor, and more
enduring benefit. Let no man withhold the |
smallest contribution with the feeling that il
is trihing. A thousand di mes are, in this
case, worth much more than a hundred dol
lars. Neither let any man withhold the larg
est gift he can afford, if his heart prompt him
to give it; for the Museum is capable of using
to great advantage for the cause of education.
and the benefit of the race, five times as large
an endowment as there is any probability of
raising.
IHE Argus correspondent ''Pejepscot" has
mad week to learn something about affairs
al Augusta and consequently his blind zeal to
'bring down his man. should not lead him
10 make statements both false and foolish. |
L ne mad used his time properly he would
never have asked the question: s.Did moi
GOV. Dlhgey appoint the Commissioner OF
the Sinking Fund in the Treasury Depart
nent? since by consulting the law renorted
and advocated bv Mr. W;ll;.,>,.