, 1890-07-10
ART EDUCATION.
A Paper on Its Moral Value by Ads
N. lAaghiin, st. Paul, MINI.

NJ. Laaghiin, st. Paul. MINI.
Art education was under considera-
tion in the high school building.
The following paper was then read by
Miss Ada NJ. Laughlin. of st. Paul, ON
the "Morll Value Of Art Education":
Nothing Is more vital to the nations
life than the education Of its children.
What to teach and how best to teach IL,
for centuries has agitated the best minds
and will continue to furnish the impulse
for their most thoughtful activity.
America in its vigorous youth is recog.
nized by its elders as a present and rap
idly increasing power. To sustain and
streng then its national character, its
people must plan wisely for the culture
of its youth.
To whom should this guidance be en-
trusted2
II is difficult to state with brevity the
value of candor and innate truthiulness
in those who teach at all; OF SO absolute
commences OF conviction and devo-
tion, that one can not help putting ones s
whole strength into the work.
But learning and skill are of no avail
II We lack faith, If We do not truly wor-
ship the themes we interpret. We must
believe in what we do or no one will
believe in us. Since 1t Is healthy growth
and development that We seek, rather
than results, We must lead children to
use their own minds, TO externalize
their own thoughts, to harmonic think
ing and doing. to discover and to create
to recognize in nature the worship Of
God.
All children should be taught enough
drawing to be able to express themselves
readily with the pencil. Not with the
purpose of making artists of them,
but because such power Is an enrich
ment OF ordinary daily life. This study
awakens an appreciation for beauty and
IeadS to higher ideals In conduct and
workmanship. There is yearning to.
ward beauty in form and color, as well
as in sound and morals, aud II is to this
upward tendency of the mind that the
wise educator will address himself.
The higher our conception Of material
beauty, tho higher will be our ideal OF
beauty.
From the employment and consequent
habits OF the nation are developed the
NhNt
tcrmine its lite and influence. How
little We should know Of many times
and people, but for their art! History
has remembered tho kings and warriors
because they destroyed. Art has re
membered tho people because thoy ere.
ated.
The Imperial Ar, institute in London
was established in memorial of the iii
tieth year of Queen Nic,oria's reign.
This is one OF many enterprises of siml,
lar character for the advancement of the
masses of European workmen, tending
to unite pleasure with daily toll. We
as nation OF peace, maintaining tn,
smallest standing army In the world, Ia
our public education are doing nothing
compared with Europe to advance anc
ennoble peaceful occupations. What Il
being done IN America toward fttinl
the people for adjustment of their rola.
tions to peaceful labor IL being don,
wholly by private enterprise. Pratt in.
stitu,e in Brooklyn. whose varied worl
is illustrated so beautifully in our cit,
to-day, is maintained wholly by prlvat,
enterprise, and Is training l,5U0 younl
people to self-reliance and skill, the ex
pense to them being merely nominal
Mr.. Philip Armour, of Chicago, has IL
view the establishing of Il similar enter
prise in his own city.
With the diminution Of hours of labo
for the workingmGn rises the demand q,
to how he shall spend his time. Becaus,
more leisure IL coming to the people ",
must cresie, foster and nourish the de
sire ior pure and eieyating anusonents
and this fostering Of correct tastes mus
be begun In childhood and cared fo
under the state and civil authorities.
Few studies can claim to do ns much
as music and drawing toward advancin,
children In paths Of pcace, obcdienc,
and order. giving them present happl.
ness, future occupation and q constantly
elevated enjoyment"
The great charm and power in III,
masterpieces Of art lie IN their bein,
materially things OF skill and spiritually
interpreters Of the intellect. emotion
and passions OF men, appealing 4