Richland beacon., 1885-08-08
Louisiana Educational AssOcia
ton.
Baron RoUGE, July 13, 1885.

brief sketch of the association itself
may he of interest. This | am able
to prepare partly from memory and
partly by reference to the records Of
the association; which the Secretary
has left with me. Memory goes back
bevond those records somewhat and
recalls indi'tinctly, for | was not
present, n preliminary meeting he II
| am not sure whether III Minden or
Homer, in which the idea was first
formulated, and the resolution adop-
ted to or9ani7e for state work in th =.
cause Of education. The leading
spirits in the work were Prof. Thos.
5. Sigh. then of Homer; Prof. Geo.
d. Alexander, of 1Iinden, and Prof.
A. G. Calhoun. for some time connec-
nected with the State University and
A. and VI. College.
The first meeting of which record
is made occurred in Homer, Aug. II,
1888, and is of importance as mark
ing the date at winch the first effect
i've organization for State work in
educational matters in Louisiana was
made.
Here at Concert Hall, in The Ma
sonic Female College-a room in
which, by the way, the writer has
witnessed some of the best school
work he has ever seen anywhere the
association was organized with Prof
L. S. Shgh rs President, Prof. a. G.
Calhoun rs Secretary, and a long
visit of Vice Presidents, in which the
writer subsequently found his oHn
name included
A constitution and bylaws were
adopted, committees were appointed,
among which was one to prepare and
publish az address to the people, set
ting fourth the objects and aims of the
association and inviting all the friends
of liberal education throughout the
State to cooperate in the work.
Prof. r. \. Smith, of Arcadia, was.
selected Treasurer; j. H. Walker,
Esq, of Athens Corresponding Sec
retary; Prof. G. A. Thatcher, of
Minden, Liberian; Col. Geo. d.
Alexander, of Minden, Editor. Min
den was chosen as the next place of
meeting, the time for which was fixed
at Aug. II. The present writer was
elected annual orator, with Col
Alexander for alternate. Cordial
resolutions indorsins the efforts of
Prof. J. W. Nicholson, then Presi-
dent of the State University, in awak-
ening an interest in the educational
work, were adopted. and this meeting
of much work and greater future sig
nificance adjourned. in due time
appeared the address of the associa-
tion to the people prepared by the
committee. As literal production
it is not altogether success; but it
voices the cry for self-help i'll trumpet
tones.
at is re longer question of SEN
timent but stern and stubborn fact
that if we fail to organize for most
thorough aggressive work and take
our places in the march of progress
sive civilization that is sweeping our
land from sea to sea we may expect
to be outstripped and left behind,
and may make up our minds to see
ourselves and orr children take the
places of serfs and unterlings in our
own country"
Strong words these, that catch the
ear of the earnest workers in any
part of life's great field.
Our Educational Association is
organized for the purpose of securing
united and aggressive cooperative
effort among all classes of our people
in this all important matter.
"All around us, far and near, aid
ed by all the improved systems,
methods and appliances that can be
brought to bear in this work. the
other States of our Union are press
ing forward with an enthusiasm al
most irrepressible.
Let us in this at least, catch the
spirit of the age. Let us call to our
assistance all or rs many of these ap-
pliances as we can utilize, and awak-
en-, arouse and enlist as united and
determined people ready and willing
to respond with the utmost of our
ability to this call of patriotism. Let
us accept the fact that our people
everywhere throughout the State
recognize and deplore the ineficien-
cy; that they see the spirit of pro-
gress that animates our brethren of
the States of Missouri, Arkansas and
Texas and others all around us; that
they are sick and tired, yea, disgust