The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-01
THE TEACHERS.
MAGNIFICENT ADDRESSES
OF WELCOME AND BRIL-
LIANT RESPONSE TO
THE SAME.
THE ASSOCIATION GETS DOWN TO
wORK-SYNOPSIS OF YESTER-
DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

orc er yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, in
the h III OF representatives, by the presi-
dent, Prof. John NJ. Richardson, at least
fou' hundred delegates being present.
Occupying seats of honor in front of
the president were Judge A. S. Walker,
Attorney General John d. Templeton,
Judge z. I. Fillmore, General Ham P.
Bee, Miss N Harrison, of Commerce;
Mayor John w. Robertson, State Superin-
tendent B. M. Baker, Hon. A. p. Woold-
ridge, Prof. Dabney, of the university;
Prof. Alvin Lane, of the university, and
Superintendent j. B. VIM.
Quiet being had, Herzog's splendid
orchestra rendered some fine music; after
which DIR. W. W. Pinson offered prayer,
and the association proceeded to carry
out the regular order of the programme.
Hon. A. P. Woodbridge then stepped for
ward and said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN In behalf
IF the Austin city school board, have
the honor of introducing to you Hon.
J. w. Robertson, mayor of the city, who
will deliver the address of welcome.
HON. j. W. ROBERTSON.
Mr.. President, of the state Teachers Association,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t affords me great pleasure to welcome
this association of teachers to the free
dom and hospitality of the city of Austin.
This imposing presence, this assembled
army of earnest and intelligent teachers,
in the capital of Texas, is significant of
the grand development and progress
being made in the cause of education by
the people of this state. This meeting
of teachers, coming up from every por
ton of Texas, representing every grade
of school, from the unpretentious pri-
mary to the university, exeMplities
the energy and zeal that characterizes
your work, and proclaims the fact that
your labors are not without the reward of
success. The schoolmaster is abroad in
the land. He is found everywhere, in
every community, in every grade of So
ciety. Never before, perhaps, in the his
tory of the world has there been mani
tested so profound and universal interest
in the promotion of popular education.
Only few years ago the facilities we now
enjoy were unknown. very limited
number could attain the honors and dis
function of collegiate or academic train
ing. The masses of the common people
were limited to the modest elements of
learning. The man of wealth and re-
fined leisure alone could afford his son or
daughter the advantages of a classical
education, and it was deemed hardly nee
essary or useful to society or to govern
ment that the son or daughter of the me-
chanic, the farmer or the laborer, should
enjoy the privileges of liberal culture. To
attain the higher schools of learning re-
quired unusual sacrifices, and could
only be accomplished by the high
est degreee of personal ambition
indomitable energy, self reliance anc
seq abrogation. But, happily, times have
changed, and men have changed, and thu
opinions and politics of men have changed
The barrier of caste, descending through
many generations, has been stricken down
and destroyed, and the rule of equality OF
right and liberty has become the law OF
the land.
A marked advance in the cause of pop
ular education has been attained in Tex
as. Fifteen years ago the opposition to
free schools was stubborn and earnest
Men would publicly declare that they
would not be taxed to educate other PEG.
ple's children, and this sentiment secured
powerful following. 1t may have
been, and doubtless was, the expression Of
honest Indignation and resentment at the
wrongs and abuses suffered under sys
tenn inaugurated by means of burdensom'
levies of taxes, and the expenditure o
almost fabulous sums of money withou
any corresponding benefit to the peopl
of the state. But the causes originating
at producing this spirit of opposition
have long since been removed, and publ
opinion has long since undergone won
derful change. The supreme importanc
of the public free school is now thor
oughly understood, and It's worth il
influence with the great problems of so
eiety and government is fully appreciated
SO universally popular and so eminentl,
satisfactory to the people have the putli
free schools become, that private institu
lions of learning are almost superseded
They only exist as specialties in the NOR
wealthy and thickly populated communi
ties. The state of Texas is ready ant
prepared, through its common schools
open and free to all, to extend liberia
practical education to every child wlthll
its borders. Its gracious bounty goes on
alike to the rich and to the poor, to tn
white as to the colored, to all classes ant
conditions of life. So marked has beef
the revolution in public opinion, that tn
tax-paying citizens of Texas, IN nearly al
the cities and towns, and in many localltle
in the country, levy voluntary tax upoi
their property for the support and main
tainance of their public schools. 1t ma
become a matter of local pride in the city
town and country, that the schools shall
be open throughout the year, and that tn
very largest attendance shall be secured
Realizing the present advantages al
rising from the free schools, and antlcl
pating still greater benefits in the future
the people of Texas may to-day be classe
AS the most decided and the most arden
advocates and supporters of public FIRE
schools to be found in any portion of TIL
union. The free school is permanent
fixed in our state policy, and is now an
will continue to be potent factor IN tn
affairs of our government. Ii is nc
within our power to estimate It's bench
cent Influences in moulding the characte
of the men and women of this state, /
: irving tone and intelligence to its society
in lifting up the lowly and humble to
place of usefulness and power, and IN d
Tecting and shaping the future dest in.
of Texas and of our common country
The decree, immortal as faith, has gon
forth that the public schools OF this stat
shall be generously fostered, encourage
and supported, and that the magnifGen
or1oyInert of lands for their benefit sha