The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-03-22
EDI CATION IN RELATION TO
MODERN LIFE.
Prof. McIver Pieases the Washington
County People BY His Discussion.

FrOf. MclVer PieaSes the Washington
County People BY His Discussion.
Especial Cor. ofSTATE CHRoNICLRl
PLYMOUTH, N. c., March 20.-Last
week WAS held by Prof. McIver the first
institute for our county, under the law
of 1889.
1t is apparent to any one who reads
the school law with the earnest com
ments thereon prepared by Superinten-
dent Finger, and who sees the men now
working in the cause, that some spirit of
progress has started on its course.
Hardly ever has the community been
so stirred and interested as last week,
and in subject generally regarded with
contemptuous and not always good
natured indifference.
The ordinary subjects of an institute
were first taken up, especially the i'm
pOrtant question how to teach. This
was thoroughly explained, and the ad-
vantages of object teaching over the old
methods showed by teaching class of
little children, who did not know the
| alphabet, to read many words and SEN
tences in three days in half hour lessons
each day. This method was extended
| through every necessary branch of
learning and held without break day af-
ter day. People began to see that real
education was the learning of things
and facts, and their relation, as they
lie undiscovered so close and thick
around us and that true educa-
ton ought to Oe as broad
as life itself, for it touched it at every
point. Prof. McIver, like the famous
character he quoted, seemed to see quite
through the deeds of men, and not only
so but of women and children also,
many proofs Of which he gave TO the
great interest and delight of his audi
ence.
This is the great secret of rousing in
terest in people, for humanity after all
is the most intensely interesting thing
to itself. With amusing witty stories,
deep pathos, useful knowledge. all taking
their most striking places, Prof McIver
moved his audience with him towards
his final purpose. AS an instance of the
hold he obtained, one man said if it was
announced that during morning session
a yard stick would be divided into irches
by Prof. McIver he would be certain to
attend.
Friday was the great day to which al
: else was preliminary. The subject OF
the lecture was education, particularly
public education in relation to modern
life. He showed that in this age igno
rance was slavery as abject and real "a
any that had ever been, and dwelt il
glowing argument and illustration il
y the great truth, that the educator wa
= the real liberator of mankind. Ths
r II out of 1S white children were de
q pendent on public schools, that NOR
S money for more and better schools wa
n necessary and this meant more TAXA
q ton. The only argument against edu
e cation which people were not ashame
to use is the negro argument, and II
indisputable fact is, that the negro rea
e ly pays for all he gets. In this count
L the whites pay property tax for schoo
# $2,273.20, and receive 81, 500 for the
e education. People don't think of thes
n things, for the absolute refutation {
the negro argument lay just at hand.
If Prof. McIver is right, and he is fs
/, enough in that direction to be unanswe
IS able, the truth on his side with his alb
n fearless championship must prevail. Il
y talks and acts like man with mesSae
e. to men. This community has hear
g him gladly, and while not in the mo-
d progressive or best known part of tt
b State, has a strong intelligent spirit
le improvement, and does not intend to
le left out when the State counts up Il
S. sections that do her honor.
G. l.. PETTIGREw