New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-16
mr.. BEEcHER on THE COMMON SCHOOLS.

ADDRESS IN AID or THE NETWORK TEACHERS
PROTECTIVE UNIoN-THE NEw PROFESSION.
Henry Ward Beecher delivered lecture last
evening in stcnway Hall, entitled 1.-THE New PROBES
sion" aid of the funds Of the New-York Teachers
Protective Union for tho relief Of sick and disabled
members Robert H PcttRrew president of tho Union,
occupied the chair Tho hall filled in all its parts
Mr. Beecher spoke for hour and quarter and in sub
stance said:
We are so much occupied with incessant cares
home that apt not to take large look at %hdt
is hap 'nlng to the human race ABROAD inc "hole
movement of society everywhere shows preceding dis
turbauce In Europe It is far more apparent than
among u.s. There It would that at last by various
processes sufficient light has struggled down TO
the strata OF the intelligence Of the people,
and they are beginning to take part In IN
cidents which determine governments and events
Intelligence has been working down until the upper
classes are going let up among themselves In inhu-
ence at least the great lower classes Fifty years ago
De TocQuevle foretOd what has since become history,
and the movement OF the great masses in Europe mas
take place. To-day ell Europe s an organized oDpres-
Sion Standing In sympathy with the great under classes,
Isay that this oppression will be by violence, and
believe that all the verge OF great eruption
The lever has already been touched, and the men VINO
have the vote have the command. Nlhlism, Comnun-
ism, jciasm only cries for liberty and for light
They find that the reason OF their oppres-
sion is ignorance, and they cry for knOwl-
want intelligence aud observation and decision And as
the movement advances channels have 10 be so
cured for escape OF their intelligence. The ntell
geuce OF The people is like stoam-harmless II free but
If confined and compressed you know what the re-
suit will be. In Russia the blinded political managers
insist on shutting down tho steam vayc-they wont
even allow them to whistle, and their fate Is upon u.s.
We are receiving vast accessona from all Europe and
Asia and these people bringing biher their Manners
their necessities and their poverty Eight millions from
abroad are mingDg with us. Four millions from
Within but recently slaves are with us. And in
their hands havo placed the ballot We
do we'll to consider the situation The industrial
question for us ia scarcely less important than the
dynasticis for Europe; You have given them suffrage
and IN dong 60 you nsVe et OUT ca hoo IL no
The giving Of the suffrage " four million people
q terrific experiment. and yet since they nave
had it they have voted just wisely as their masters
did before emancipation. Ours Is the most complicated
government the face Of the earth. but am hopeful
Of humanity while 1t has Intelligence, liberty aud
the thrty-nlno out OF the forty millions for
their responsibilities rests on the new proieSslo1-tne
school teachers The free, public, common school Is TO
do the work. The common school ought to De
den to every mih'S door WITHOUT reEaru 10
complexion or condition. Tho common school Is
It universal suffrage is possible. When the emigrant
arrives Eastern shore say To him God bless
you bat when he Western coast keorney
says 20 nun Tho AImiSS1v bos ,nigIed Inc nations of
the earth on this continent 20 II mankind can live
peaceaby together aud It the school System
which 10 to accomplish II. The common school
Nation. The schools shOull be the best that |
can exist that best citizens afford to keep
their children out OF them. They should be models Of
everything that belongs TO intelligence. Whatever Ia
best in architecture belongs to tho children. do not
advocate extravaganza bn the scnOOhuu'cs should he
the Respondent buildings In the commonwealth |
without the educator you have the golden candle |
stick and no candle. Tue common schools or America
exalt the teachers ana the time Will come when
1t will he enough TO He was teacher" 10 give
him the highest rank in the land. Tho tenchnr |
should he the ideal md example OF noble |
wOmanhOnd aud q noble manhood. This cannot !
I've accomplished by starving them. and when ! !
read Of their SALARIES being reduced my blood |
rs hot with INDIGNATION. Their salaries should be ample,
that they may devote themselves 10 tae children.
They should have thought OF their own wants Inc
State should provide them and they should be made
40 comfortable their ayOcatlOn to honor It, Ny pro-
found convection IS that tile common schools arc !
the salvation and light OF the Nation II IL In placing
under tho whole population the foundations Of light aud
knowledge that people gall grow mp In a common
life that shall have common people and COM