The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-24

BY MISS LAURA J. HOOKER A TEACHER.
Mr. Presideai, Ladies and Gentlemen sit
is not without much timidity on my part that
/ arise to address you with few feeble re-
marks upon the subject assigned to me, viz
The Social Element, The Value Of County In
stitutes, Associations, &c. 1t has beena little
more than seven months since we last assem-
bled in this hall forthe purpose of learning how
to make our public school system successful.
We again meet, in this eentennialyear torene
our former greetings, in an organized body,
termed the Carroll County Teachers lnsti-
tnte. | feel that we are representatives ola
honorable, though thankless profession, whose
mission is in the interest Of humanity, and
who, If faithful to our trust, will always com
mand the respect and regard Of the public.
Coming from cultivated and social commu'
nifty, bring the assurance that we appreciate
the purpose Of our meeting this week, and
the objects Of our Institute. We feel that the
interests we represent will be benefited by
the interchange of feelings and views, and
that this professional and social intercourse
with our people, viii be mutual pleasure
and advantage. We are coadjutors in this
good cause We have a community Of inter
est with us in this matter, and believe thatw
have met to promote its success. If we are
sincere and earnest in our efforts in behalf Of
public instruction, believing that the eduea-
tional interests of our community are Of equal
importance with any other, however great
they may be, we shall eheerfully cooperate
in every measure to improve, foster and de-
velop them. Many thanks are due to the
honorable Board Of School Commissioners
for having acted so wisely in the adoption Of
the means to accomplish mutual intercourse
: Of views and opinions, for, have great faith
in the power and use of associated efforts.
Individuals may separately accomplish some
thing, but harmonious unity of efforts and &C.
ton is necessary to attain great results. Each
one of us is doubtless interested in our pro-
fession, and laboring with fidelity, according
to the best Of his ability, but we need counsel,
instruction and encouragement. In the exile
from cultivated society, to which many of US
are consigned by circumstances, we often wish
for congenial association with those who are
educated and eompanionable. This meeting
of kindred spirits is just what we wish and
need, and truly and sincerely hope we may
have its full enjoyment. ] think that the
Teachers Institute is an essential element in
the success of any public school system; and
highly commend that feature of our State
Law which recommends such associations,
las an important means of elevating the stan
dard Of public education by mutual confer
ence and interchange Of views.n Such as
sociations exist wherever public education
has attained high position. They are al.
ways productive Of much good--increasing
the feelings of brotherhood and interest in a
common cause, and thus proving the source
of mutual benefit and pleasure. Similar re-
suits must follow similar efforts in our coun.
~, the proper spirit prevails. Exposed, as
many of us are, to local petty tyranny or gross
iniusticei helpless, as many are, from the
tongue Of SANDER and Misrepresentation; and
weak, as nearly all are, in financial resources,
would it not be foolish in US to neglect the
lesson taught us even by the fowls and insects,
t'that in union is strength For the protec
ton, then, Of our reputation, of our profess
sion and our schools, let US band together in
County Institutes and Associations, all CEN
tering upon this one great and noble cause.
1t is tower Of strength and wall Of defence
to the hnmblest as to the highest. We have
been informed by travellers, that tourists, in
scaling the Alpine cliffs, are accustomed to
go in bands, each member having firm hold Of
stout rope passing from hand to hand.
Should any one lose footing on the treaeher-
Gus Joe, he is upheld by the rest until able to
stand firm again, while alone he would inevi.
tally be dashed to pieces in the Deep dark,
dreaded abyss So let us stand by each 9th.
err, and permit not the weakest brother or
sister to suffer injustice; let this present Coun-
" Institute (and future ones also, bs 50 strong
and 50 deserving Of esteem, that its utterances
shall be respected by ourselves, by our pa
irons BY visitors, aud even by the Commits
sioners. If we attend from sense Of pro.
fessional duty, with the firm resolution to re.
ceiye and impart instruction, and, from the
love which We bear to our profession, thus
seek % benefit and be benefited, we will Ger.
sainly find pleasure and profit; but, il we come
with prejudice and unwillinply, and only 10
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