The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-02
PRACTICAL EDUCATION.
LESSON OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
EXAMINATION LAST WEEK.
An Intelligent Northern Gentleman Con.
fessas Himself Overwhelmed With
Delight at What He Saw and Heard
at Market Street School.

"That was the most thorough and prac-
teal illustration OF what children can do
in years training that ever Witnessed"
said Northern gentleman to an APPEAL
reporter as they were leaving the Market
street school after the exerclseslast Friday.
"lf that is a specimen OF your schools in
Memphis you may congratulate yourselves
on having schools that will rank with the
very best In the whole country"
II thought you Northerners didn't
think very much OF the public school sys-
tenn in the South" replied the newspaper
representative.
"As a rule wo don't, and the moro lib
eral and enterprising portion Of your por-
ulation arc OF the same opinion. As
have said, II that is a specimen OF the work
done in this city, then your schools are not
only an exception in tho South. but in the
North also. | have always taken deep
interest in education. have travelled in
thirty'four States, and have visited schools
in nearly every one OF them. | have also
attended educational exercises in the old
country, but the examination OF those
primary and grammar pupils discounted
anything have ever seen. Ordinarily
pupils of these grades, at their closing ex-
erciscs, sing song some wishy-washy reci-
tation that proves bore TO everyone ex-
copt the mother Of the cherub. Truly,
what We have just heard would have en-
tcrtained and instructed the most intelli-
gent OF men. They came into the room
by classes and whole rooms, and recited
without the least hesitation. In other ex-
amina,ions | have attended, there have
been some who were unable to answer
the questions asked, but this morning
every question asked was answered
promptly and correctly. They not only
knew, but they seemed 10 understand
what they We're talking about And the
questions that were asked such little iel.
lows. A stranger would infer that the
siereoiypcd text books were almost en-
tirely ignored. | came here to learn some
thing about Memphis and the State OF
Tennessee. That little geography class
gave me all the information desired. IL
Is remarkable what children can learn with
proper instruction"
Then you like the methods used
herc?"
81 know nothing about what methods
are used, but do know that when chill
drcn can pass such an examination they
have been taught by the very best meth
DDS aud the very best teachers. A great
many teachers are mechanical. They
teach and teach, aud the scholar learns
and learns, but neither teacher nor pupil
know very much about the actual results
obtained. This morning is the first time
even visited your schools, but judging
from what have Just seen, am certain
that the teachers in the building we have
just left are not OF the class have spoken.
They must be very thorough and pracli
cal or their work would show different
results. Take, for instance, those classes
In mental arithmetic. Those little fellows
ratified of their answers rs ii they were
old mathematicians. Any one with the
least intelligence could see that the an.
swcrs had not been prepared Tor tho oc-
casion. believe any child there
could have answered any question
asked. Iou could tell that by the
motion Of their lips while the answer was
being given. Ono thing was especially
good, aud that was the articulation and
emphasis. This SHOWS thorough training
Ia something that is too often neglected.
| ihNlN Wv WHY INV EbNA lfhutfh III lnlA
world, but with such teachers the number
will bc largely increased by tho present
rising generation Of Memphis. but say,
II keep on you will think am giving
you lots OF laiiy."
mot at all. The people Of Memphis
are always glad 10 hear strangers nay they
are pleased with what they sec and hear
In our midst"
i II was told that this was the first year
y you have had vocal music In your schools.
!. II this Is correct the work has been ro-
markablc. The Holt system Ia well
= known In the North and Is used by some
OF the best teachers in that section. Tho
? work Of your teacher hero would Indicate
II that she had been a close student, and tho
a exercises this morning show that she II
10 competent 10 impart n thorough knowl-
II edge Of musical sound. The rccitations
~ inl the High Sho0lroOm demonstrated the
/. fact that the teacher Of clocution Is most
a excellent one. IL " said that education IA
u the foundation aud cornerstone Of our
10 Republic II this bc true, the people OF
b. Memphis need not fear for this portion OF
b. the country. For with such master
builder rs your superintendent, aud the
assistance given him by such corps OF
teachers, tho foundation cannot fail "a
be strong. and tho cornerstone well laid. "
=. 81 noticed YOU were very much effected
= when the children were paying tribute 70
> the American flag
n 81 shall always remember that scene.
!, have always been Republican, aud bclor,
!, ] came South believed that the majority
1, Of the southern people were still rebels
y The sight OF those little children telling OF
!, their love lor tho old flag. and cannin.
y allegiance 10 the Nation 10 which Il be.
IA longs, caused the tears 90 flow, and | wa
!, unable 10 control them. II was one Of Ia,
Il most clccung scenes | ever witnessed
" Why, some ol those children had father,
!. who fought against that flag they wcr,
!, praising, aud nearly every malo parent
I, voted against President Harrison, IA,
y, man they chocrcd. wish such mcr
n as Chandler, Foraker and sherman
!, could have Witnessed that scene
u their hearts had not beer
touched, that portion Of their body mus
be made " stone. Such things as tia
will bring thc North aud South into
b, bond Of affinity that cannot bc broken h,
soro-hcadcd politicians Of tho North
10 When ] came South last February was
ilrm believer la equal rights ~ taught b,
10 the Republican party ct tho North. bu
since ! came among the Southern people
sc have learned To honor aud respect them
That little scene We have just wi,ncssc,