Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-17
LOCAL.
The Opening Day.
THE UNION SUEEMER NOR
NAL SCHOOL,.

NAL SCHOttL.
THE ASSEMBLY OF THE TEACHERS FOR
THE SUMMER NOKMAl-N0 TEACHERS
PREsENT-RECEPTIO AT THE OPERA
HoUsE-wELCoME BY H. ST. GEORGE
TUCKER, AND RESPONSES BY PROF.
CHAs. H. WINSTON, PROF. F. N. V.
PAINTER AND MAI. JED. HOTCHKIss.
&C., &C.. &C., &C.
The Opera House Tuesday night had
one of the prettiest audiences ever as
sembled there. One might say that it
was an audience of women. so few were
the black coats of the males that were
scattered here and there. The few men
present were mere specks on the miles OF
white lawn and muslin spread over the
seats and worn by hundreds of pretty girls.
The parqueJte and boxes Wer3 reserved
for the members of the Normal School,
while Stanton s beauties wore assigned
to the upper tier. The exhibition was
competitive and it is fair to say that it
was by the highest squeeze that the upper
tier held its own against its pretty rivals.
The latter, however, had the advantages
of being there. as it were, on business,
and wearing an air Of serious thought
fitness which adds the charm of repose
to face however beautiful it may be. The
audience was large and but few unoccu-
pied seats remained in the house. A little
after O'Clock che Stonewall Brigade
Band in their handsome uniforms marched
in, and soon after commenced an over
ture. 1t was appalling land in two minutes
convinced everybody that no brass band
without being tempered by reed or
strings can play with good effect in our
Opera House, which has been lately rem
dered perfect for theatrical performances,
In the matter of acoustics. We may say
to strangers who heard it and formed an
opinion of the band by Tuesday nights
performance, that no brass band can do
better in that room and that when they
hear it in the open air they will find that
the high reputation of the band has not
been exaggerated. One-third Of the brass.
es with clar1onet, piccol0 and strings,
would do we'll in the Opera House, but
fifteen brasses, with drums to balance,
are intolerable. Our visitors must wait
for the band concerts if they want to hear
the Stonewall at its best, and when they
do they will hear something worth hear
ing.
Though it was what might be called
opening night for the school: the Normal
had in fact been opened that morning at
the Baptist church, by State Supt. Farr,
and regular session held by Prof. Win
ston. That church has been secured.
now, and will be the school rooms OF the
Normal, both lecture room and auditori-
UNI until it closes.
City Superintendent W. A. Bowles, who
was on the Opera House Stage, introduced
the speakers and commenced with Mr..
Tucker.
Mr.. Tucker said that in the absence Of
the Mayor the duty had been devolved on
him of welcoming Virginians to a Vir-
GINA city That task Of itself was an
easy and delightful one, but it was made
the more pleasant when he remembered
that they came bearing the good tidings
of universal education. He could not
khelp, while looking at the bright assem-
blage of SO many teachers before him.
wondering what an old time Vlrginian
of thirty years ago would think of it
were he present. What change in
thirty years They say the Virginia
people have great deal of State pride
and I confess to having good deal OF
that same pride myself-pride in her
glorious memories, pride in her courage
in adversely, pride in the nobility with
which she has borne misfortune. But
in all her great deeds which cover so many
pages in our country's history, hesitate
not to say that none were greater than
when in the midst of her poverty she I'm
dertook the task of educating the chill
dren of her people. When we remember
the adverse circumstances under which
it was undertaken when we remember
from what sorrowful scenes she turned
to gather the children of her household
about her and devote her future to in
structing and educating them, we cease
to wonder that more has not been done
and can only stand in reverent admira
ton of what the old mother of US all
has accomplished. Much, very much
has been done; much more remains to
be done. It is fit that you should be
welcomed to the former home OF Ole
who was among the foremost in her aid
in the early days of her new effort, one who
came among US as the agent of that wise
charity, the Peabody Fund. The name
of that venerable and learned man is
reyered among US in death, as he was
beloved among us in life, and we who are
staunch supporters Of free education
think it PECULIARLY fitting that Normal
School should meet where DR.. Sears, thai
DISTINGUISHED friend of teachers and teach
ing, spent the last days of his life. Mr
Tucker closed by assuring the teachers
that their presence was warmly welcomed
bv the citizens of Staunton, ana promls
ing on their behalf that nothing should
he lacking on their part to make their
visit pleasant one.
Prof. Charles Fl. Winston, who is at ths
head of the Normal School, and who il
the Professor at Richmond College, VINO
has become familiar to the people OF the
State by his admirable lectures On Astron'
or,y. replied to Mr.. Tgcker's welcome
He said he wished he could command elo-
auence in order to more appropriately reply
to the words Of the hereditary orator wh(
had spoken, but they of the Normal School
came here as plain workers and on theil
behalf he should say few plain words
S+o,,ton uaa in all raspectS a suit2bif
place for the meeting of Normal School