The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-14


At the meeting of the Memphis Free
kindergarten association, organized last
Tuesday, in response TO n general callupon
the ladies OF Memphis, Mr.. j. S. Menken
made an address, setting forth the objects
of the work and the general mode of pro-
cedure in other cities. The following is
an abstract of his remarks;
Ladies-l feel happy that l am nj last
permitted to address the women OF Mem
phis on a subject which has for years been
near my heart felt that il was necessary
only to call you together 10 enlist your
sympathy and cooperation in so noble n
charity, and now that you have responded
so generously in numbers today | feel that
the work has already begun. Memphis
now ranks with the progressive cities of
the land in all that gives security to her
citizens and help to the helpless, and only
in this matter OF free kindergarten have
we moved too slowly or not at all. Ever
since my organization in New York OF such
an association rs this promises to be, and
its successful carrying out / have been
most anxious TO see a similar work cstab-
lished here by the noble women OF Mem
phis. The phenomenal growth of our
beautiful city justitlcs the hope that there
will be generous cooperation on the part
of our people TO provide kindergarten
care and instruction for the very young
children OF that large class OF society, who
from various and unfortunate causes have
neither the time, money, nor sometimes
the necessary qualification for promoting
the mental, moral and physical growth OF
their little ones. The kindergarten is a
strong and effective agent against COM
munism, socialism and other danger
GUS social elemenis-indced it has been
called the strongest enemy oil the iocrcs that
threaten the welfare OF American society.
IL takes the child in hand at an early
formative period, and by u careful cultiva-
ton OF the good, and a systematic re-
| preston Of the evil tendencies, 1t makes
good citizens Of those who would otherwise
! become dangerous foes.
You are all, doubtless, acquainted with
the beautiful philosophy underlying the
great system Of Frederick FrTbel, aud yet
| II may not he amiss to quote n few words
| from Mrs Cooper, OF san Francisco, one OF
| the most active aud successful kindcrur-
ten workers in America. She says; Tho
| kindergarten concerns itself more with the
development OF faculty than with the
mere impafliug OF knowledge. II rccOg-
Mics the fact that all true education is
learning transformed to faculty. IL does
not ..ask 80 much What does the child
know a5 has the child learned how to
learn" Ii looks less 10 mere requirement
! than to the capacity to inquire aud ac-
! "A 4. .sl.t 10 ia
himself II is controlling the child that
he. may learn to control himself The
! kindergarten deyoics itself more 10 ideas
than TO words-more TO things than
to books. Ii bcgcts within the child the
power Of assimilating knowledge for the
hiphes, uses Of life. The senses are sharp.
encd, the hands arr trained, and the body
is made 1.-the and active. The gifts aud
occupations represent every kind of tech
nicnl activity. The children must work
for what they oct. They learn 10
do and be doing. They thus develop
patience, perseverance,, skill and will
power. A child goes to the kindergarten
~ an apprentice goes 10 the workshop 10
learn something. lie has everything 90
find out. His mind il the tool-chcst. his
faculties are the implements. Above MI
the true kindornrtcn aims NJ the cultlNa-
lion Of the heart and soul in the right Iii
rcctinn and leads TO the Creator Of all
life and io personal union with him.
Speaking of the wonderful growth Of
the kindcrpirtcn work in san Fmncisco,
Mrs. Cooper saws: "1cn years ago there
was moi a single free kindergarten west Of
the Rocky mountains There are now
over thirty in san Francisco alone, includ-
ing thOrc in orphanagcs and homes.
branching out from san Francisco as n
center, thoy have extended in every dircc.
ton from the extreme northern part Of
Washington Territory 10 lower California
and New Mexico, and they have planted
themselves in Oregon, Nevada, Colorado
and almost every large city in California. ="
In the east Mrs. Shaw, the daughter Of
the great AgiuyiE, gives her time and
money 10 the care OF thirty kindcrgartens,
ana in 81. Louis Mrs. Susan u. Blow has
been 40 active and enthusiastic In the work
that as a result Of her energy the kinder
partcn has become u part Of the public
school system. All honor then 10 those
who foster these blessed schools for little
children. Gov. Stamford struck the key
note when he said that he believed the
surcst foundation on which any education.
nj structure can rest Is the rock Of thorough
kindergarten training, begun at the earliest
possible age.
That notable man, Gen. John Eaton,
late United States commissioner Ot educa
ton, in his annual report made this zig.
niRcant suggestion: "The experience 81
mob violence through which the country
has lust passed should suffice To bring ~
10 the conviction that our safety lies only
, in the most viulant use Of every instru'
mentality fitted 20 assure the thorough
/, training Of every child In the land, not only
In virtue and intelligence, but also In tho
, pursuit Of some useful and honorable yoca'
ton. Better, FAR better, that We plant Kin
dcrgartens aud organize industrial schools
and educate tho young for work
|. than 20 grow up good for nothing, or ,ls,
10 form revolutionary brigades and social
; istic clubs, which viii be the beginning d
the end of our greatness and prosperity
and the republic itself. We may MAKE
, laws and constitutions, but character b {
! growth, and 10 all growth bclong..th'
y clements Of time. We must call the LITTLE
9 children from the very earliest years, anC
prepare them for useful and honorable
citizenship
= We conclude, therefore, that tho worl
We are about 10 consider Is one oi the mos
4 noble and beautiful in the. whole range o
4 human life, and l commend II 10 you
y / 49,. 81 I.f,.fftl uat1YFuftUu