The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-05
ASSOCIATION OF THE ONES WHO
TEACH THE YOUNG IDEA.
THE OPENING OF THE 2lST ANNUAL
MEETING.

THE OPENING OF THE DIST ANNUAL
MEETING.
THE OPENING ExERCIsEs-Gov. HENDRICKS
sPEEcH-Ex- PRESIDENT SMART AND PRES
IDENT JONES DITTO.
The Y. NJ. G. A. Hall was densely packed
Tuesday evening at the opening of the State
Teachers Association. At half past seven
o'clock the Association was called 70
order, and the Rev. DIR. De La Matyr
opened the exercises with prayer.
At the conclusion of the invocation Cover
nor Hendricks came forward and delivered
the address below. He began by saying that
he was expected to deliver an address OF well
come, and that his conception of that was
TO welcome them to the hearts of the people
of Indiana. After speaking of the limit of
time that had been allowed him, he con-
tinued, saying:
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen OF the Indiana Teachers
Association:
/ hardly understand the duty which has
been assigned me this evening. know it
is to welcome you, but whence and wheres
Shall it be to the statef You are now a
part and power in the state. Shall it be to
this citYf Some OF you belong to it, con-
tribute to its greatness. Some of it's most
conspicuous ornaments are the stately edi-
fees in which you serve the people
But L believe it is right and proper
for me to welcome you to the hearts OF
all the people Of the state. And
L am glad to do that, for the feelings
and sympathies of the people authorize il.
Therefore, on behalf of the people, give
you a cordial welcome.
And that is nearly all could possi bly, be
N AZ RfRf bo
gentleman who wrote what duty had been
assigned me, said must speak three quar-
tiers Of an hour. Did he mean so much-no
more, no less? Then, indeed. my condition
is worse than Shylock's, whom Portia al
lowed the penalty in the bond, but no more
nor less of the division "of the twentieth
part of one poor ecruple." But / know
that / am more likely to enjoy
your forgiveness and favor if / stop far short
of the limit than AZ go beyond; so will
regard your comfort and my own necessity.
In this organization you represent, as sup
as well as the body of the teachers of the
state. The institutes are becoming import
ant and strong supports of our school sys-
tenn. They develop fraternity, and promote
professional pride and excellence. I'M
provement and advancement must
result from the discussion, COM
psrison and criticism of the teachers
of their different modes of government, and
Of imparting knowledge. This influence
goes beyond the teachers, and reaches the
patrons of the schools. In this state all the
people are the patrons of our common free
schools. And the cause of education is
strengthened when they become interested
in the questions which relate TO their man.
sgement and qualify their success. So
think may say that the tendency and infiu-
ence of the teachers institutes, of
which this is the head, is to make
your profession stronger, more dignifed,
honored and efficient, and also to promote
and advance the cause of popular education
Much more cheerfully and gratefully will
the people give their children into your
charge and management when they know
that you possess the skill and art of govern
ing them so as to enforce obedience without
imparing the natural force and vivaci:y of
spirit and character; and when they know,
also, that you will carefully and
intelligently consider the physical,
mental and moral qualities and peculiar
tiles of each in your entire treatment.
And understand that it is the tendency OF
the institutes TO establish and make more
distinct and positive the duty of the teacher
to carry the mind of the student back of
rules and results, to reasons, causes and
principles. When these are entirely under
stood the results are easily and accurately
traced, and the rules deduced. The rule in
a particular case may be forgotten, but the
cotton, and IL that be understood the party
is master Of the subject. OF what value is It
to know mathematical proposition
as result, or by an effort
of the memoryf In such case the truth is
not known at all. i once knew a student
who memorized more than one-half of
Davis Legendre. II was, as you appreciate
an amazing effort of memory, but the IN
fortunate and miserable party had never
looked within the regions of mathematical
truth. His terrible labor was worth no
more than the flying of kite.
Being thoroughly taught far back in the ele-
ments and principles OF science, the student
holds the tests of truth in his own hands.
He becomes a trained thinker, and is likely
to arrive at just and proper conclusions,
even when new subjects are presented. |
think the important work of the teacher is
the cultivation OF correct habits of thought.
When the schools are left behind, immense
fields OF UNEMPLOYED knowledge lie before
Into these you can not accompany him. But
relying upon his training, he enters with
confidence and assigns to facts, as they
present themselves, their logical
relations. The Grecian athlete was
trained that his foot should be firm,
his eye steady, and his muscle strong,
but his instructor did not run the race with
him, nor indicate the steps he should take.
Your work is Ell done when you lead yorr
scholar forth to enter the contests oflife
with habits of dilligent and profound in
vestigstion and reflection. In this respect
the State Normal School Is a model as well
as an authority. 1 have been able to visit
that institution but upon one occasion.
observed at once that no subject was passed
unless the reasons and principles upon
which IL rested were correctly
comprehenied. / am confident it
will prove a great help to our school sys-
tenn. and worthy the favor of the people.
Next in Importance to the formation of
correct habits of thought, is the cultivation
OF good taste, the appreciation of that which
Is noble and beautiful. / am not sure but
that throughput life we are as much infiu-
enced through our sensibilities and emotions
as through the sterner faculties ofreason and
judgment. The cspability of reaching these
qualities is OF great practical value to every
one. May not then say that IL Is of very
great importance, and material to the high
est success of the schools, that correct senti-
meuts and good taste be cultured and de-
IA inf OIL