The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-24

nation. The selection of teachers should
depend upon competency, rectitude and
individual worth. The necessity OF train
ing of the teacher for the profession, and
that the future possibilities are too grave
and important to trust them in the hands
OF incompetent instructors. He said there
never was time in the history OF our
country when the necessity for educa-
ton was greater than it is today, that
everybody is becoming educated, and
the illiterate remain only as the
plant tools in the hands OF those
who best know how TO manipulate them.
He spoke OF the necessity of the proper
training OF the young mind at home, and
to instill in the child the real spirit Of
manhood and womanhood, and the eX-
pectation Of the reality OF life, and to pre-
pare him for his part in the drama OF life
that he may play his part well. He
thanked the patrons OF his school for their
assistance in his work, and for the kind
treatment no has received at their hands.
ii is speech, ii it could be fully reported,
one could give it the credit due. 1t was
full OF sound thoughts aud philosophical
truths.
Prof. 0'Brien was followed by George
T.. Neuhardt, Esq, who, in response to
an invitation extended to him by the
patrons OF this school, was present, and
| after being introduced TO the assembly by
| Mr.. Edwards, and af.era few Introductory
| remarks complimentary to the audience,
their country, their school and teacher,
gave q short outline OF the reciprocal du-
ties OF the parents and their children in
the matter OF education, the respective
duties and obligations OF patrons, pupils
and teachers. Mr.. Neuhardt spoke about
forty-five minutes very earnestly and So
riously, and said in substance that all
the writer's on moral philosophy and on
the law OF nature assigned TO the parent
as one OF his moral duties, to DO the edu-
cation OF his children, for his future use
fulness and happiness in life, and the
preparation OF his children for the exigen-
cies OF the uncertain situations in life;
that the municipal law OF this country re-
garded this obligation rs an imperfect one,
but the law of the land considers il OF
great importance TO the welfare of the
State or nation. He spoke OF the danger
OF illiterate persons, grown up from child
hood untaught, becoming idle and vicious,
and said that parent who sends his son
into the world uneducated and without
skill in any art or science, does great
injury TO mankind rs well as TO his own
family, and that he deirauds the cominu-
nifty of a useful citizen and bequeaths TO il
a nuisance. He spoke OF the provisions
made in Germany, Denmark and other
countries, and in some States in this coun-
try, and especially in Tennessee, and COM
pared the per centum Of illiteracy OF those
countries and States, and said, among all
the comfortable and progressive surround
ings OF the people OF Shelby County, the
most important question that should bo
attended TO is the influence 10 be
brought about 10 accomplish the all-im-
portant end-a universal elementary odu.
! cation-and which has been sadly neg
lected in many parts Of the country. lie
said il il cannot be accomplished by indi'
rect influences it should be done by com
pulsory means The per cent. OF those
children OF school age who do not attend
school at all ia about sixty OF the whole
number OF that age; that our schools art
here, the teachers are here and all the
J children have TO do Is TO come and drink
freely at the fountains OF knowledge. ant
! that the means that would induce all the
! children OF the land TO come is a necessity
sadly neglected, for the upholding Of ou
political institutions, our government, on
laws, our churches and our homes. III
stated the importance aud necessity o
being educated In every vocation OF life
) and said that honest labor, whether man
5 ual or mental, OF any kind. is no disgrace
aud that IL Is not the vocation that make
the man, but that the vocation Is elevate,
D and dignilicd by the men who engage II
4 il. lie stated that he is confident tina
? | the teachers o! the country are awaken
! ing 10 the importance OF the responsible
Q ties intTusted 20 them, at that our prcsen
b County Superintendent is doing faithful
3 work and that her efforts should be on
/. couraged by the teachers and patrons q
4 the school, rs he is confident they are III
: rcctcd in the right channel; aud then Pre-
! cceded to state the duties aud obligation
i OF the teachers. lie said that the cilicicnc
= and competency Of the teacher In ia
c country has been sadly going backwar
!, for several years and the schools are su
3 fering seriously. Tie teachers irt an
J, most important duty is TO know what edit
! cation is. That tho examining Of know
!, edge, Of the branches he teaches, into IA
q head OF his pupils Is not his duty. but IN
Q building up Of his pupils character. moi
i ally, mentally, and TO prepare him for III
2 realities Of lite and prepare him TO do III
n most good for the happiness Of his fellow
y beings, for his country and for his Go,
J, The Intellectual should be built upon III
b practical, and the teachers efforts shoul
II be not only TO teach TO know, but 20 kno
o how 10 do and 10 do. The speaker the
d addressed the pupils aud pointed out son
J. Of their duties toward the parents an
70 toward their teacher and said among 9th
y things that he should think Of the trul
IA that knowledge is not power unlc
81 they know how TO apply that knowlcdg
Il that they should have AN object In yio'
At aud TO arrive at that object should be the
y, aim--to set n mark aud then shoot nj th
Of mark lie Faid they should always be-
rs in mind that they are not practically NJ
n properly educated until they can earn
10 honest living. lie said there Is no 9th
NJ cause 10 which failure in life can DO ifac,
nj 80 frequently as 10 a mistaken calm
er and pointed out the absolute necessity
X every person 10 know the limits Of his ov
Il, faculties. Tie speaker ihcn, among 9th
-, things, pointed out the causes Why
at many schools nll over the land prosper I
&C awhile and then go to nothing, aud BAL
lie In order TO build up and maintain a go
a. school, that that the combined and HI
d, monious efforts Of parents. pupil al
at teacher must be combined, aud then pi
w cccdcd 10 point out some Of the ppjudic
~ created by small aud insignificant din,
no enccs Of opinion In matters which nov
IL concern the scho0lroom. which Ihayc d
ar stroyed In few weeks many q rrospcr
NO anil nrnfnisiuu school aua havo cvprla