The Russellville Democrat., 1881-07-14


 For good and sufficient cause, th' reading of minutes of previous meet ing was dispensed with.
 The president appointed tho fol , lowing committees
 Committee on programme
 Messrs. Burrow, Hayes and Rives . Committee on resolutions
 Messrs Conrad and Weathers, and Miss Ida Joe Brooks.
 : Committee on nominations Messrs. Parham, Gates and Jones. The president then announced a
 recess until S:15 p. m.
 NIGHT SESSION.
 The association reassembled at
 8:15 and was called to order by the
 president, Prof. G. ". Hayes, of
 Prescott.
 \ The exercises of the eYsiiiir,,s Z,
 were opened with singing ny the
 musical society of Russellville under
 the leadership of Mrs. F. k. Barrow. I The Address of welcome was a
 splendid effort and was delivered by
 G. W. Shinn, esq, as follows:
 MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE~
 MEN OF THE STATE TEACHERS AssocIA- TIoN OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: In appearing before you at this happy
 moment, it is my distinguished honor and pleasure to bid you most cordial
 welcome. And in extending to you
 the unanimous welcome of united 1 people; in leading you across the threshold of our happy homes, and offering you the Inequalities which
 there may be found, my heart sweIls
 with gratitude at the blessed privilege which this occasion presents, and opens itself to you in a most cordial welcome. sanctioned by hundreds of silent voices that join in unison with my own, and whose pride for the welfare of this youth is equaled only by the earnest ness and sincerity with which their benefactors are received. In giving expression to the feelings that pervade our hearts, and which only find con- tentment in the entertainment of our guests and the cause for which they are struggling, a pride consunmate to the feeling that first gave expression to the idea of public education springs up deep down in our breasts and swells buC tnlClltCbudl tuITEHJ tudt Is to open to modern daylight millions of intellects of human beings yet unborn. In welcoming you, ladies and gentle> men of the association, we not only greet friends and present benefactors, but open the way that the amber sun light of education may penetrate the midnight blackness of bigotry and su- perstitioE; that the gentle influences of a hlphar Rnharp a " d fp ha ny the ghastly forms of ignorance, and melt into unity the discordant elements of heathenism; that happy homes may find their ongin in the cultured fields of reason, and their perfection, in lives Shat are filled with the perfume of per- petual joy. and hearts that are over- flowing with the gladness of affection. The cause of education needs no enco- mium to enhance it's thousand virtues, and incentives, none other than are in- herent within the same. It is inviting alike to one and all. Its reward is universal. Its hallowed influences lend charm even to the log cabin, the sweetness of which is not forgotten amid the richness and profusion of inns perial pleasures. Education is the mouthpiece of religion, and the key stone in the arch that supports civilizs- ton. Where the church goes there l goes the school house. Where the | church bells ring out "salyation to fallen man." there the school house teaches humanity to prattling tongues. Where the examples of a meek and lowly Jesus. find imitators at the shrine of Christian love and mercy, there the l school-teacher fans the burning embers of education, and over the wilder aess of fear and ignorance, raises a light house of hope and intellectually.
 Ladies and gentlemen of the associa- tion, your cause is most noble, and your reward most inspiring. And if there is any spot in this union where the halo of glory shines with more splendor than around the happy sunny days of our youth, where cluster with fondest recollections the tender cares of loving mother and the humble efforts of the school-teacher, that spot is unknown to me. Then encircle every fireside with the blessed infiu~ ences of education, and light up every hear thstone with the sweetness of it's brilliancy. Send it across the threshold of the life of every human creature, and drive it with merry glee to the outskirts of both heart and mind. For truly is it the only medium by which public sentiment can be purified, 1 and raised to that splendid height where we may smile in triumphant joy as the last cloud of darkness, ignorance and superstition yanishes down the western slope of the hill of progress. Kind friends, sweet friends: your mis- sion is most Godlike. Your aims are most laudable, and meet a responsive chord in the mind of every lover of | free thought, and in the heart of every | admirer of Christianity. Crown every | brow with wreath of its splendor, | and light up our western, as is our eastern, horizon, with the golden sun- beams of prosperity. May your lives ever be as pure as the cause you ess pouse, and every sentence of your de- Alterations be punctuated with wisdom. i Success to your every effort, and may | your energies never tire until the bells from the public free schools of America shall encircle this mighty union with one continuous peal of their melodious chimes. Again, kind friends, l greet you with happy welcome, and com mend you to your labors. "For the heart feels most when the lips move not, and the eye speaks gentle well come."
 Prof. J. F. RiYes, principal of theSear- cy, {Ark.,) high school, responded upon the part of the association in few ex- temporaneous remarks, Ithe regular appeintee for that purpose being ab- sent which were very timely, beauti> f,il and wall Ialivarad