Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-04-17
ADDRESS Of MAJ. CHARLES PETTY AND
THE ESSAY OF Mr.. W. J. BEARD BE.
FORE THE TEACHERS UNION Of
0C0NEE, APRIL THE 9TH, 1879,

obL I'LL tIhOtLuS olNlOlN v!
0CONEE, APRIL THE 9TH, 1870.
There was tolcrably good attendance at The
meeting Of the Teachers Union, at Westminster,
on last Saturday, the 9th instant, and very
encouraging feature of the occasion was the
presence of so many ladies. Their presence
always lends encouragement to everything, but
wish that bo!h the attcnda.:"c Of ladies' and
men had been larger to hear the excellent ad-
dress OF Major Petty. 1t will DO long remcm-
oercd n" those who wero fortunate enough to
hear ~. lIo gave the teachers, parents and
pupils sound and wholesome advice. His address
was not theoretical but practical. Mr.. Petty
explained TO tho teachers their duty, what IN
important profession they had in training tho
youth of tho country. lie advised them to
always lay firm foundation at ihc start, saying
that was one Of tho most important parts of q
child's education; that they should uso NIL
possible means to qualify themselves for their
profession; that tho teachers work was nc!
finished between the hours Of taking in school
and dismissing, nor was it limited TO twenty
days in month, for the true and good in
structor would by his example out of school
hours set an example 10 his pupils in morals
and manners, for q child is more obscrvant than
we generally give him credit for and watches
| the actions of his instructor closely You
| must, too, he sad gain the love and respect of
| your pupils, or you arc in part failure as a
| teacher, for you cannot accomplish as much as
| you otherwise could. lie next addressed him
self to the parents, telling them that they must
aid the teachers, il they expected them to teach
| successfully. lie said there was The greatest
possible need Of cooperation between parent
and teacher; that they should attend the meet
ngs Of the teachers and give them all the en-
couragcmen possible. lie showed the troubles
under which teachers laborcd and how the
parents could assist them. If you want your
children to learn you must send them 10 school
regularly Tho teacher is powerlcss where the
pupil is irregular in his or her attendance
| This Union can be made 10 work great good to
Oconec County. l want to sec you raiso this
county to q high educational standard You
can mako this county, ut the foot of the Blue
Ridge, tho pride Of the State, and Mr.. Chairman,
| would say to you, tho teachers Of Ocon,c, do
not let small things discourage you, but work
earnestly and your labors will in the end be
crowned with success. Throughout his address
he gave practical illustrations, which placed his
ideas so plainly before his hearers that the most
obtusc could have no trouble in comprchcnding
his meaning. l have given above the mercst
outline Of Major pcty's address, and am cx-
cccdngly sorry that cannot give il more fully.
Major Petty came among us md has sown good
seed, Of which, if VIC take good care, We will
reap good harvest AS member Of the
Union tender him the kindcst thanks of that
body for his timely and wholesome advice and
for the good that il will no doubt effect among
those who were fortunate enough TO hear him.
After Major Petty had completed his address
the Chairman called on Mr.. w. J. Beard, who
read an able essay on "Normal Schools" If I
am any judge think that Mr.. Beard certainly
did do himself crcdit--in other words, his effort
was complete success. While no argued that
| normal schools were essential to tho proper
training Of teachers, he did not think that South
Carolina was exactly prepared 10 have ono yet.
Normal schools, he said, to be made cffcctual,
must havc Stale aid, rs shown from tho statistics
of other States. lIc showed the good they
were doing in other States and also the number
in operation. IIc referred to tho one in our
sister State North Carolina, which is n success
and doing great deal Of good for that State.
Let the teachers parents, and in fact every
one, lend helping hand, let every one give the
| Teachers Union shove, never mind how small,
and soon you will be surprised at tho good IL
will do the county. G..
FAIR PLAY, April 7, 1879.
The editor Of tho Wesleyaa Christian Id
uocate, present at tho celebration of DR..
Picrcos brthcday ut tho house of his son,
Bishop Piorco, Sparta, Ga, says tho vonera-
ble man was that day, March 81, ninety ,four
years old; that in one room wero seon at one
time five generatiOns--father, eon, grandson,
great grandson and great'great-grandson