Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-05
MEETING OF EDUCATORS.
DIR. DAVIS VISITS THE STATE
TEACHERS CONVENTION.

SOutn'S hOuCPCu N.hFCSidcut-
9he First Days Work Of the Con
ventIon-The Teachers Welcome
70 the City.
The Georgia State teachers Associa
aion began its twentieth annual couven
tion at St. Johns Parish Hall, Whitaker
and Macon streets, at 10 o'clock yester
dRy morning.
Notwithstanding that the msny at
fractions ia the city absorbed in
large degree the public interest.
70 the exclusion OF matters OF a
more serious and technical character by
$3.50 O'Clock, when Prof. caldwell, Presl-
dent OF the association, assumed the
chair aud touched his bell, the hall had
become, under the Circumstances, very
fairly filed. The audience was largely
composed Ofladies, mostly of teachers.
Oi the gentlemen present occupying
the platform were Hon. George A. Mer-
ces, President OF the Board Of Education;
Hon. g. j. Orr. state School Commits
sioner: Rev. j. S. Hopkins, y. d., Presi-
dent of Emory College. oxford; W. II.
Baker, Superintendent OF Public SCHOOLS
OF Savannah; while In the auditory were
observed Hon. Martin V. GAVIN, Au-
gusta; Rev.T. j. Beck, pastor ofthe Baptist
church Of Tennlie; Profs. W. l.. Duggan,
Principal ofthe Tennille High School; BIN.
Zettler, Superintendent OF Public Schools,
Macon; q. Nj. Dews, Columbus; Col. A.
p. Mooty. Superintendent Public Schools,
Columbus; Mr.. Gailiard, OF Dahlonega,
and others.
THE TEACHERS WELCOME.
The address OF welcome by Hon. Geo.
A. Mercer, short as it appeared, was a
mastery effort, delivered in his usual
happy vein, with a purity OF diction and
81 oh. .fakt Of ~
speaker.
President Caldwell made a graceful re-
Spouse ia behalf OF the association, and
then proceeded TO deliver his annual adj
dress, having selected for his subject,
''The SchOolmaster in History" 1t s tn
be regretted that space will not permit of
giving more than a brief outline of the
scholarly essay which was received de-
servedly with so much attention and de-
light by the convention.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
The part played by the Schoolmaster
IN History. be represented as indirect
and, IN measure, occult and unappre-
eiated, a powerful agency in moulding
character, instilliDg principles and Great
ing motives, which, manifested In other
phases Of life, have changed the fortunes
Rf nations. Illustrating, be proceeded to
show that Alexander, the great King,
was not 90 directly the real agent
by whose influence the nations of his
time were built up or torn down, as Aris-
tOtle, the schOolmaster, whose intellect
ual son Alexander was. In like manner,
Ia times not 80 remote, the English
Queen, commonly styled wise and good
Elizabeth" was as surely the child OF
good Roger Ascham's gentle teachings
and noble philosophy as Elizabeth, the
vain and peevish woman, was the
daughter of Henry VIII. So like wise did
Edward VI owe his gentleness and hui
manity as surely To wise and holy teach
ing, as did Bloody Mary her cruelty and
narrow policy 70 the dark and blind bigoL-
ry OF her ROmish preceptors.
THE sCHooLMAsTER IN HISTORY.
National character owes its type in a
fery great degree TO the schOolmaster and
this especially holds good of the times
wnen monk and priest held the KEY of
knowledge, and formulated their crude
educational systems in the obscurity of
the cl0ister.
Who shall span the intellectual sphere
Of Oxford and Cambridge, in the past or
the present, or who shall measure the in
huence of the clerical schools in Spain,
or of that exercised in the minds Of Ger
many by the mysticism OF Kant, Fichte,
Hegel and Schelling; OF, VINO shall trace,
along the course of time, the future re-
suits of the teachings of to-day of the
5000 teachers, labOring, in modesty and
silence, in the intellectual fields of
Eeorgial
Sufficient is quoted Of this able address
10 give an idea, limited though it be, of
Its scope and purpose.
At the close of the address Mr.. W. r.
Thigpen, Secretary of the convention.
made his report, and the appointment of
standing committees, enrolment OF men,
bers, and other technical business Occu-
pied the time Of the convention until the
hour rolled round for the reception of the
Governor.
THE GOVERNORS RECEPTION.
Fifteen minutes before noon GOV. Nc
Daniel arrived in a carriage with w. X.
Leaken, Esq. A moment later another
carriage rolled Up containing the Hon.
Jefferson Davis, IL. NJ. Conner, Esq, Miss
Conner aud Capt. George A. Mercer.
Mayor Rufus e. Lester, Prof. Baker and
a number Of teachers met the party at
the door aud escorted the visitors to the
bali. The members OF tee association all
arose as the Governor and eX-Pr, sdent
Entered. Without any ceremoniOus de-
Jay Prof. Caldwell introduced his Excel
lency Gov. II. ID. Mcdaniel, who briefly
addressed the association. He said:
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
"Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
appreciate more deeply than | can ex-
press the compliment or being present
with the Georgia State Teachers Associ-
alton. No assemblage, whether for the
purpose OF taking counsel concerning the
anairs OF government. or as 10 COM
meree or agriculture, or OF the voun-
Seer soldiery OF the country, would
contribute more 10 the public well
rare. representing every grade of
experience aud excellence in the science
81 teaching, the results OF your de-
hberations and discussions will be felt In
every school in the State.
THE DIGNITY or TEACHING.
"All Of us appreciate the dignity
81 your profession and the
nenehcent results OF your labors. But
J DOUBT II there Is a man in this State
who appreciates them at their true value
We are apt TO forget that il is 10 the
Teachers OF the country that we are in
nebted for the culture. lberality and
public spirit that makes n country worthy
NJ admiration. ] know of no better illus
tration OF the just exaltation with which
POUR profession should be considered
than is afforded by the example OF the
greatest military chieftain of this or any
age, Robert II. Lee. When he sheathed
bis sword. which had made the armies OF
the Confederate States immortal. he took
n position At the head Of a school as a
tnaehpF OF tne VOuth OF the land.