The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-07-31
NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL 1850.
CITATION.


CITATION,
New York TribuneI The annual meet,
ing Of the National EducatIonal asSo-
citation at Madison. Wisconsin, las Sust
closed. 1t was q great gathefing Nof
teachers from all parts OF ne country,
and gathering from which foreigner
could not but derive ne y and impressive
Ideas as 70 the importance attached in
this country 70 the cause Of education.
and the earnestness, enthusiasm and
progressive spirit Of the great class Of
American educators. But the Amerl-
can citizen also may learn much
from this educational conYentiou.
For while the deYotIon of the teachers
70 their work is made eyidsA in ali their
proceedings. it IL also plain that they feel
themselves hAmpered and INSTRUCTED In
many ways, and that some Of their COM
plants call for reforms which the legIs-
more serious difficulties with which they
have to contend are the interference and
control Of local functiOnsries who are
Inexperienced yet dogmatic. and who
n 1t seldom exercise their brief authority
30 blindly as TO iDJure tht schools whose
Interests they are supposed TO
serve. There is no doubt much ground
for these complaints. but the remedy Il
not apparent. The real source Of the
mischief, OF course, lies in the difference
between the theory and practice as re
CARDS the working of the Democratic
institutions; an amount of fitness and
intelligence being assumed in the aver
age citizen which ID not invariably
available. as-s s- s.-4e
Perhsps time is the surest cure fol-
such evils; but IN the meanwhile the
teacher will have to bear his CROSS, and
the cause of popular education will be
hindered more or less. Yet there Is
abundant hope for our educators in the
rapid growth OF popular appreciation
for their labors. It may be
said that there is to-day no country
under the sun which the mass of tia
people 50 thoroughly comprehend anC
so determinedIy pursue the best that
education can give. There Is no coun
try where so great percentage of gen
uine workingmen systematically pro
| cure for their children the highest edu
cational advantages. There is no coun-
Try certainly In which such educations
advantages are within the reach of all
and tor these most encouraging facts the
American teachers may largely TAXI
credit, for It is to their zeal
energy and conscientious perform
ance of arduOus and Otter
unthankful duties, that the rapll
growth of this national interest in the
acquisition of knowledge Is in gres
part due. Nor should the word of prais
be stinted in speaking of what thes
valuable members of the community
hsYe done and are doing. For thong
teachers are much better paid now tina
at any former time, the fact remains tbs
whoever deVotes himsel Tor herself
pedagogy must relinquish all expecta
lions of wealth; must remain conter
with very modest competence, an
must seek In the profession itself thoE
rewards and encouragments which are
compensate the increasing toll an
anxiety Inseparabls from teaching.
How complete our teachers do tn
: the meeting of the National Education
: Association showed. There we toun
I them absorbed In forwarding new al
? improved plans OF education; Gag,
v to demonstrate the possibility of begI
ming the training of children at an ear
9 Ter age than ever; consulting upon Il
! best methods of instruction; exchangiI
n ideas, freshening their minds by fri
% tion,l discussing cherished theories, I
: lieving themselves of boarded grit
ances; but all the time engaged
n really harmonious and unquestiC
In ably earnest pursuit of the ed
Ia cational methods and results that exp
h rience, trained intellects, and acute jud
n ments can suggest or develop. T
Sc country may we'll be proud of its teaC
a. ere and 1t may well honor and cher
n them. For upon their enlightenme
10 sincerity, singleness of purpose and {
10 votioD, It's destiny depends probal
ne more than upon any other agency, q
In in their concert of action and systema
n counsel may be recognized the m
ne practical and effective guarantees for
or continuance of progress and steady
he provement in the great work Of natio
"a education.