Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-08-03
LETTER FROM PROF. cox.

LETTER FROM PROF. cox.
THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AND VISIT TO THE SUNNY SOUTH.
The National Educational Association
met at Nashville, Tennessee, July 16,
1889, and continued in session for four
consecutive days. The exercises opened
with addresses of welcome and respon-
sive speeches, followed by a grand barbe-
cue, in Cherokee Park, one of the most
beautiful and pleasant summer retreats
of the city.
The opening address was made by
Governor Robert Taylor, of Tennessee
1t will be remembered that three years
| ago Governor Taylor's opponent in the
| gubernatorial contest was his own'broth-
err, Alfred, the one a Democrat, the other
Republican. Robert was elected by
10000 majority. Last fall, however, the
Republicans rewarded Alfred by elect
ing him to congress from the first con-
! gressional district of Tennessee. Various
other addresses of welcome were deliv-
cred, one of the most pleasing of which
was the poetical address of Miss FInni-
gan, a most handsome and refined grad
uate of the Nashville City Schools.
Standing before an audience, unsurpass-
ed for culture and intelligence, and
dressed in perfectly plain white, she GER
tainly was the embodiment of simplicity,
grace and beauty. Space will not permit
me to speak of the responsive speeches,
further than to say that they all breathed
forth the spirit of reconciliation, ex-
pressing the belief that the day is not far
distant when we shall know no North,
no South, no East, no West, but one uni
ted people. working tremendously to-
gether for the good of humanity and the
glory of God. On the three days follow
ing, every subject conceivable of an edu-
cational nature, from the kindergarten
to the university, was discussed by the
ablest educators of our land. Of these
discussions, perhaps the most interesting
was that on UNCONVENTIONAL schools,
Bishop Keane, of Washington City, ad-
vocating the Importance of denomina-
tional training in the schools, Prof.
Mead, of Boston, as vigorously support
ing our public school system. In justice
to Bishop Keane it must be admitted that
his argument was the more gentlemanly
and conservative of the two, while Prof.
Mead's was, for the most part, severe
attack on the rites and customs of the
Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop
could not make us believe that we should
do away with our public school system,
but he certainly did make us believe that
he is polished and cultured gentleman,
worthy eff the esteem of Protestants as
we'll as Catholics. The proceedings of
the association will appear in book form.
The most important of these discussions
and addresses ought, from time to time,
be published in our city papers, in order
that teachers everywhere may be profited
by studying the models of the most sue.
cessful instructors in the Nation. The
very best order prevailed during the en-
tire series of exercises. Even at the open
air meeting in Cherokee Park, where
five thousand persons had congregated,
some on chairs, same on the grass, and
some standing, all was perfect harmony
and order. In fact scarcely whisper
could be heard to interrupt, in the least,
the utility of the occasion. There are
doubtless disorderly persons in the South
as well as in the North +; but in the South
these persons either remain away from
public gatherings, or. if present, restrain
their own natural tendencies for the
comfort and enjoyment of their fellow
creatures while in the North, the turbu-
lent element are not only always present,
but, also, seem to take delight in annoy
ing and disturbing those who wish to be
edited and instructed.
Again, the hospitality of the southern
people is not simply proverbial, it is a
reality. This spirit of hospitality and
fraternal feeling permeates all classes
and conditions of southern life. Even
the railroad officials are courteous and
obliging, granting you stop-over privi-
leges whenever desired, and cheerfully
imparting any information the traveller
may desire. What a contrast between
these genial gentlemen and the self-im
portant, surly, conductor of the Cincin
natl and Columbus branch of the Pan
Handle route, who, in order to exhibit
his domineering authority. compelled me
to sign my name in his presence so that
he might learn whether was travelling
on somebody else 8 ticket. In the South.
l saw but one exception to this spirit of
hospitality and fair dealing, and that
was at the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.
Everything there is unreasonable and
extortionate, railroad rates are exorbi-
tant, hotel accommodations are not the
best, clerks are unobliging, refusing to
issue tickets for the cave unless you pay
in advance for meals which you might
prefer to eat elsewhere. The State ought
to purchase the grounds around the cave
and open it to the public, justas the State
of New York did in the case of the Maya
IA Falls. The cave. with its narrow pas
sages, deep chasms, subterranean rivers,
| and eyeless fish, is great natural Curl
osity but it is colossal rather than
beautiful, stupendous rather than pictur-
esque. The visitor to the Luray Caverns
in Virginia is charmed by the
han Eel oh al IL
pending stalactites and ascending stalag-
mites, which everywhere open in full
view ; the visitor to the Mammoth Cave
is awe stricken by the gigantic grottoes
and deep abysses, which threaten de-
struction to the unwary and incautious.
Excursions to various other points of in
terest were taken by the teachers among
which was one to the Hermitage the
residence and tomb of President An
drew jackson; and one to Chattanooga
and Lookout Mountain. The Hermit
tage is about twelve miles distant from
Nashville, beautifully located and well
worth visit to all historic lovers. The
old cabin in which General Jackson lived
when he fought the battle of New Or
leans is fast crumbling to the ground,
and the Hermitage itself is now an
old and somewhat dilapidated building.
The room in which the General died re-
mains as it was at the time of his death.
and the visitor is shown Jackson's hat,
his coat. his carriage made from the ship
Constitution, and numerous other
relics interesting to those who love to
think of the good old times y agone.
One of Jackson's colored servants still
survives, relating stories of the happy
days he has spent with the General, and
selling genuine hickory canes affords him
ample means and pleasant employment.
Chattanooga is situated in the extreme
southeast corner of Tennessee, sur
rounded by the battle field of Chicka
manga, where Thomas, almost deserted,
withstood the attacks of the enemy, thus
gaining the title of !" The Rock of Chicka-
manga !" by Lookout Mountain, where
was fought. perhaps rather in history
than in reality, the Battle above the
clouds :" and by Missionary Ridge,
where on November 20. 1868, General
Bragg's army was completely routed.