The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-19
President Thompson, Of the Uni.
VerSity, Mt Work.
Correspondence Of the IntelllsoneSrl
KINGwooD. w. VA. February l6,

KINGwooD, w. VA, February 10.
Tonight tho people Of our beautiful
mountain town enjoyed rare treat in
the snaps Of lecture by the Rev. ]. K.
Thompson, President.elect Of the West
Virginia University. Happily intro.
duced to the Over.Crowded house by the
Hon. J. c. McGrew, President Thompson
began his address by saying that he came
10 us in representative capaCity-not as
Methodist, a Presbyterian, or Cath
olic; neither rs Democrat or Re.
publican, nor the exponent Of any polit.
iCal philosophy whatever. Neither would
he discuss the constitutionality OF the
Electoral Commission, talk about the
location Of the State Capital, nor lecture
on the duties and powers Of Returning
Boards. His subject-that Of Education
was Of deeper Importance than any oil
those topics. For the education Of our
young was question Of far greater mo-
ment than that Of Presidential elections,
the action Of Returning Boards, OF
"Whcre shall the Capital be?"
Rev. Thompson spoke rapidly, fluent.
ly and etoquentiy, and il ia literally true
that the large and intelligent audience
were held spell.bound during the delivery
Of the stimulating and educating lecture
The most eloquent passage was when he
was portraying the pleasure and power
Of thinking. His definition OF education
was pointed and clear. You tell boy
that il he will chop up n certain amount
Of wood he will improve, or develop, GER
tain muscles, and after you have told him
that the boy knows it-that is teaching
mere learning. Bnt after he does the
work his muscles are developed-that il
education. Education, then is knowledge
with the knowledge OF how to use 1t super
added. The distinction between q
Crammed brain and trained brain wai
well stated and illustrated, and the speak
er declared it the object Of the teachers
at the University to train and not to cram
the mind.
The closing part OF the address was an
eloquent, imprisoned, and powerful ap'
peal for the University. We were ex'
horted to lay aside our sectarian and pc
iitical prejudices, to bury the past, and
especially its unfortunate circumstances,
and to rally to the support OF the chic
educational institution OF our State.
Wemay be allowed to add that this is
very imperfect outline (ii, indeed, il
may be called SUCH OF Rev. Thompson'i
lecture. /. is hastily written, unrevised
and We shall steal no more time from
sleep, nor demand more Of the INTELLI.
GENCER's space under this head.
Although the chronic complaint OF
"hard times is heard here, as everywhere
else, still our people have more reason to
be thankful than TO grumhle. The sc.
verify Of the panic was not felt here, as
in many other parts of the State and ma
ton; and our people are, comparatively,
in good financial condition. During
the approaching summer u number OF
buildings will be erected in this town,
among which will be large steam flour.
ing mill, and our mechanics will be busy.
Educational matters, too, are looking
up In Preston. Next Saturday, the oath,
n county Institute will be held in King.
wood. The indications are that it will
be well attended. Already, numerous
District Institutes have been held, at
which the performances and discussions
were creditable.
We expect number OF Summer WIS.,
itors" here the coming season, and we
may say Zen pasSaat, OF course, and not
advcrtisingly) that more beautiful vii
lage, healthier climate, grander scenery,
better people, more delightful drives, and
more intellectual community are not TO
be found elsewhere in the State.
Will. NJ. OWENS.