Huntsville gazette., 1884-08-30
The Educational Meeting.
A Popular of
the Speeches.

A Popular NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
the Speeches.
In response to the call in last Sat
urday's GAZETTE for the Educational
meeting at the M. e. Church Thurs
day night last, there was an overflow
ing house, all the seats being occu-
pied and many compelled to stand.
Seated on and near the platform were
DR.. Lakin, Elders CASTOR and Nc.
Kinney, DR.. Scruggs, Rev. A. ".
White and others of distinction.
DR.. Lakin, after prayer by Rev.
Mr.. White. arose and said: "a
chairman being necessary for this
educational meeting, | nominate the
eloquent and patriotic DR.. Scruggs."
DIR. S. being unanimously chosen,
assumed the chair, briefly and appro-
priately explaining the object of the
meeting. Mr.. Thos S Cooper was
chosen Secretary.
Rev. j. f. Humphrey was intro
duoed as the first speaker, and was
eloquent and fluent. He said in sub
stance:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:-Being
called on to night to say few words
in behalf of education, I willingly for
the cause do SO. The Chairman has
said this is a meeting in the interest
OF Rust Institute. | always like to
speak in behalf Of education; sadly
neglected, vet Of vital Importance, it
needs encouragement. Our success
in life depends on our enlightenment,
our acquisition Of knowledge and ac>
quaintance with the arts, sciences
and literature of the world. We
should cherish and improve the
chances now enjoyed, by entering our
children and youth in the various
schools and colleges standing inviting
ly with open doors. Education comes
by labor. Look at the cultivated
fields. The beauty of the growing
crops, free of weeds and grass, is the
result of labor. So with the mind of
men. 1t must be cultivated. It
must be trained in the schools; must
be weeded and cultivated in order
that it mny grow up vigorous and
healthy, adjoining the body and maxi
ing a useful. safe citizen. Let par
erts appreciate the importance Of this
care for the young It is your first
duty to see them educated. 1t is
more urgent than wealth or money.
Riches stored up may be consumed
by fire, OF water or storms. Educa-
tion is indestructible. To enthuse, to
inspire, to seize opportunities as they
preseut themselves to you is our pur-
pose. Get knowledge.-it is power
II you want your children to fl The
high places that Heaven has ordained
for them, educate them. The ire
sistible edict Of the age is to educate,
Or take back seats.
ED CASTOR was next introduced.
The Elder took possession Of his su
dience; was bold, aggressive. and it
may be added, novel sometimes and
unique in his speech. But hear him,
as condensed:
Ladies and gentleman:-No one
present need be told it is necessary
to educate their children. The pur-
pose is to re. awaken and inspire new
interest in the greater needs of an ad-
vancing age. TO begin, | wish to say
that | am
HAPPY THAT AM coLoRED MAN.
Not that colored man is better than
a white man; only man is but
man. My experience az a teacher
has been that children of all complex
ions learn aIike-are on a level, in
tellectually. Labor, work will make
the fu ure man, not color | proceed
from this foundation.
Not alone the young, but the old
need to learn; men of my age are not
too old. Not man who was eman-
cipated in '63 but by endeavor could
now read CT write. Labor only was
necessary. Here an amusing anec-
dote illustrative of his point was
thrown in by the speaker