Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-28

The State Educational association.
The seventh annual session of the Min
nesota Educational Association convened
in Market hall last night, the meeting to
continue until tomorrow afternoon. Be-
ing state institution and comprising in
terests closely identified with the welfare
of the public at large, great interest is
manifested in the proceedings of the body
and the attendance is consequently large.
Delegates were present last evening
from all parts of the state, there
being no less than 800 teachers in attend
anoe, besides liberal sprinkling of citi-
zens.
The platform or stage was occupied by
several members of the board of education
and a number of those interested in the
work of public education.
The gathering was called to order by
President Irwin Shepard, of Winona, who
expressed his pleasure at having the honor
to call together such a dis
tinguished and notable gathering.
He expressed regret at the absence of
Governor Hubbard who had been called
from the city, and introduced in his stead
GEN. JOHN B. sANBoRN
who took his place as presiding officer. In
accepting the position of chairman Gen.
Sanborn expressed qualification at the
honor conferred, and in behalf of St. Pa nj
he extended cordial welcome to the visi-
tors.
The Rev Samuel G. Smith was then in
troduced, and he offered brief but elo-
4uent prayer.
A chorus under the direction of Prof.
PREM rendered excellently selection en-
titled BLESSED Is the People," 1t was re-
ceived with applause.
Gen Sanborn then introduced
THE HON. THOMAS WILSON,
of Winona, who followed in a very
interesting address. He first al
luded to the fundamental princi-
Piles Of good citizenship as con
served by republican form of govern
ment, citing from the writings of Herbert
Spencer on the subject of political econ
omy. Burke's remark he said was not
true, viz: "That we were bristle not
yet hardened into the bone of manhood"
Referring then to the early struggles of
the republic, he called atten :
tion to the gratifying and
unparalleled progress made by the United
States within the past half century. The
absence of class prejudice and the ease
with which any man could become a free
holder were cited as the factors or chief
elements of Americas progress. The
speaker then adverted to the rise and
growth of large corporations and
monopolies, and to the
growing discomfort of the laboriDg and in
dustrial classes. Reference was then made
to the prediction of Lord Macauley VINO al
luded to the Jeffersonian policy and pre-
dicted calamitous fate for the republic
when New England should become as
densely populated as the thickly peopled
districts of Great Britain. The speaker
then proceeded to demonstrate that while
Macauley's prediction might have some
|! truth in it. the danger had been over
drawn.
The pernicious influence of concentrated
wealth was then mentioned as prolific
cause of discomfort and panic. He COM
pared the influence of corporate power to
an eclipse of the sun and the accumula-
ton of vast wealth as one of the most
baleful tendencies of the age. This he
thought was the great ban on industry.
The irrepressible conflict between labor
and capital was referred to and the
speaker thought that this was the great
cause of political degeneracy. The prop
or object of resistance was the apathy
which spread it's influence like pail over
the affairs of the nation. The corruption
of politics and the freedom with which
money is employed to further the
ends of designing tricksters was
characterized as the most corrupting In
fuence of the modern era. He then al
luded to what he considered in part the
remedy for the evils; among tho most