The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-07-13

Interesting Paper by Prof Difenbaugh, o


interesting Paper by Pno1' DlnehDa"sA' u
The Maryland State Teachers Association
and the Delaware Association held interesting
sessions at the Blue Mountain House this
week, beginning on Tuesday and closing on
Thursday. Many interesting papers were
read, among them one by Prof. JAS A. Ditfen-
baugh, School Examiner of Carroll. Learn
ing and Labor was his subject. He asked
that if a vital question arise on which the
oracles of the grog shops shall generally take
ground against the oracles of the schools, Is
there any doubt as to which will triumph?
The common impulse of the larger mass is TO
oppose rather than support whatever the
more fortunate and better informed seem to
favor. The educated class is far less potential
than it should be. The mischief may be the
country s. the fault is primarily its own. Per
haps the most potent cause Is the Jealousy
and aversion aroused in the breasts of the
working class by the visible repugnance TO
and disdain for their pursuits on the part of
the educated, and the desire evinced by the
latter to keep the intellectual distinction Of
caste as broad and rigid as possible. The
Young man acquires or is given an education,
as it IS technically called, in order that he
may be something other and better than
worker. The mother darling, the hope and
pride of the family, must be fitted for some
career less insignificant and slavish than that
of his progenitors. The student in one OF our
popular colleges must be daring and wlltul
who would venture to saw his own wood or
carry up his own coal. however convinced OF
the wholesomeueSs or necessity OF such occu
patton. The educated youth goes out into the
world to preach. or plead or physic, with
such success as may attend him, bat with an
implanted, usually inveterate. Tepugnance to
regular manual labor in all its departments.
a feeling that his position is above 1t, aud
he would be degraded by engaging in it.
The evil consequence is that 1t perpertuates
the low idea which everywhere prevails Of the
true rank of useful manual toll, and thus
fosters and intensi6es the alienation existing
between the thinkers and the orkers, and
prevents that quick and cordial sympathy
which should characterize them as members
of the same social body. Nine-teuths Of the
educated youths pass through college to Ut
themselves for this or that professionally
rureIv that they NAV be simply better men.
Ii seems an impoteut conclusion. when
Young man who has spent some years ia mt
mate and delighted communion with the phil
osophers. poets and sases Of all times, sub.
sides into a mere dispenser of medicine or
drawer OF declarations. 1t IS not intended 10
the professions as spheres OF use
fauess, but the man aud the scholar should
not be Swallowed up 10 tE- ia"AtE oE "R@tSt-
There is too ittle cordial sympathy, too little
friendly and familiar interchange OF thought
between the better educated and the imper
fcc,ly instructed. There are too many bar
riers OF papyrus. too many barriers OF form
ana usage between them. Each might learn
much from the other. The educated class
should be everywhere teachers, through lee
lures, essays. conversations. as well a. prac
iieally, Of those great and important truths OF
nature which chemistry and other sciences
are ever revealing 20 bless the material world.
Prof DiHenbaugh vas chosen one Of the
? xarltire committee for the ensa.ns vear.