The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1889-05-09


every profession and trade in the city
Only few times did the President vio-
late the rule against hand shaking. The
first occasion was when white -haired
veteran wearing the uniform of the Grand
Army uncovered his head and extended
his hand Some personal friends came
later and we're also favored with a hand
shake.
The reception lasted an hour, after
which the President and his party, with
limited number of guests, were escorted
to the breakfast-room. Here large and
beautiful table was ready. The table was
a mass of flowers clustered around a
massive century plant, said to be over
one hundred years old. Palm trees and
potted plants were about the room in
great profusion. The scene was one of
great beauty as the party entered. Elec-
trio lights, which had been concealed in
the leaves Of the palms and plants, now
burst forth in a blaze Of light, ana the ta-
BILE was radiant with color and
light The feast which followed was
elaborate for breakfast, and was thor
oughly enjoyed by all present.
When the breakfast was nearly over the
Presidents health was drank by all,
standing. Shortly after half-past three
O'Clock the President and party started
for the City Hall, escorted by the vet
Grams OF the Seventh and Twenty second
regiments.
On the steps of the City Hall two hun
dred giils from the grammar schools and
thirteen from the Normal school well
coined the President. The two hundred
grammur school pupils met him at the
foot Of the steps and strewed flowers in
his patti The thirteen from the Normal
school awaited him at the entrance to the
City Hall, and there one of them, Miss
Anna A. Abrahams, beautiful girl of
sixteen, stepped from her place in the
line of girls and addressed the President
as follows:
Mr.. PRESfDEHT-Through us, their repre-
sentatiles, one hundred and eighty thousand
scholars OF the common schools of the City Of
New York, sixteen hundred and fifty students
Of the Normal College and one thousand stu
dents o the College OF the City OF New York
extend to you their cordial welcome. IT is, we
think, appropriate that the great common
school Iystem, which is to large extent the
outgroFth of Washington's repeated recon-
menda,ions to the newly-bor Republic. should
be represented in the public celebration of his
Inauguration as first President OF the United
States. Washington was too fars seeing, as q
urust rest on the basis OF popular education
He keenly felt that upon the intelligence of the
people depended the fate OF the young Nation,
and repeatedly urged, not only education In the
elenleI tary branches, but the establishment OF
higher institutions OF learning-even going so
far as 10 recommend the endowment of Ma
tional university. His attitute toward the
higher education Is clearly expressed in his let
ter TO the president AMI faculty of the UnIver-
sity Of Pennsylvania, in which he SAID: Il am
fully appriZed of the influence which sound
learnir q has on religion and manners on gov
ernmeit liberty and laws. | con-
ceive hopes, however, that we are at the eve of
very enlightened area. The same unremit-
ting etertions which under all the blasting
storms OF war caused the arts and sciences to
flourish in America, will. doubtless, bring them
nearer TO mat urity when they shall have been
sufiicitnty inyigorated by the milder ways OF
peace.
This great Nation has followed Washington's
advice; it has established common schools; it
has founded colleges aud universities; and to
these above all it owes its progress in arts and
sciences aud its success in peace and war.
Long ago Aristotle taught that no state Is
secure whose children not reared IN perfect
sympathy with her institutions. This is just
what the vast popular American education has
accomplished. Approaching the equity and
Justice of our Constitution, how can we fail to
honor and obey its wise provisionsi Thus
thoroughly imbued with love of country, the
American teacher, well an the American
mother, following in the footsteps OF Mary and
Martha Washington, creates and fosters in the
hsartg of all committed to her care that same
noble patriotism that swells her own heart
lowell says that the Puritans were the first
la@ gvers who saw clearly, and enforced
practically the simple moral and political
truth that knowledge was not an aims to be de-
- otnu ,rstr
on ehe precarious pittance OF a trust fund.
but a sacred debt which the commonwealth
owed to every one of her children.
Admirably, then, has this commonwealth ful-
filled her duty, for to-day the highest education
is within the reach OF the humblest OF our little
ones for which the men OF a former age had to
struggle all their lives. This day one hundred
years ago beheld the rising OF the sun OF one re-
public, the very beginning OF Nation, which.
though poor, weak ana divided, entered with
faith, hope and courage upon the fulhllment OF
its high destiny-the demonstration of mans