The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-21
THE NORMAL INSTITUTE.

than ordinary interest. owing to the fact
that the regular recitions were ended
shortly after IL o'clock and a program
then followed on the subject, Teaching
Patriotism in the Public Schools" For
inspiration large flag was draped over
the platform. The exercises opened with
| the song, America" in which all the
| teachers joined. Miss Pope read a short
selection entitled Our Country" which
was followed by an address by Elder j. NJ.
Monroe. The elder said that patriotism
should be taught in the schools by teach
ing the children to reverence the names of
Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Garfield and
the hosts of other great patriots. Teachers
should bear in mind that sectionalism is
not patriotism, and it should not be
fostered in the minds of the pupils. They
should be taught TO honor, not the north
or the south, but the Union. Neither is
patriotism partisanship; it is much
higher than the principles of any party.
Mr.. Lawrence read a selection bearing
on the subject and was followed by
Elder L. T. Van Cleave in short address.
Mr.. Van Cleaye would kindle the fires of
patriotism in the breast of young America
by reading to them and having them read
incidents in the lives Of our great men re-
cording their heroic, self-sacrifcing acts
Our histories are full of such grand lessons
and they should be properly utilized by
the teachers. Patriotism is not merely a
thing to gush over on the Fourth of July,
but principle to be lived up to in honor
ing and obeying the laws OF the nation
and the state.
Appropriate selections were read by Mrs.
Humrick house, Mr.. Baird and Mr.. Cave,
and the institute joined in singing 1.-The
Red, White and Blue.
DR.. G. w. Hoss made an excellent talk
in which he dwelt upon the principle that
all men are born free and equal before the
law. He spoke Of the possibilities which
those in the humblest stations of life have
of attaining the highest positions, aud
urged teachers to impart the spirit of true
patriotism to their pupils.
A quartette, Banner Of Beauty" was
beautifully rendered by Messrs. Charles,
kendrick, Hickman and Pence.
Prof G.. H. Laughlin was then intro
duced, and expressed his pleasure in know
ing that patriotism is taught in the public
schools, he being one of the few teachers
twenty years ago who believed in it and
fostered the movement. He believes in
teaching the principles of government and
the love of country in all schools. He
spoke OF the dignity which our American
literature is attaining and urged a more
thorough study of it. There are three
things which should be in every school
room-the Bible a copy of the constitution
and the American flag. Mr.. Laughiin
closed his address, as did the other speak
ers, by an appeal to the teachers to make
of their pupils good citizens and true patri-
OTIS.
Mr. Charles read the we'll known lines
from the Lay of the Last Minstrel, ~
beginning, "Breathes there man with
soul SO dead" etc. =
The exercises today were suggestion to
teachers how they may teach this subject
in their schools, and no doubt many will
be influenced to make greater effort in
this direction in the coming year.
Superintendent Pence made some an
nouncements concerning the examination
and the instructors then. in turn, made
their closing addresses to the teachers,
each emphasizing the Importance of in
shilling into the minds of the children
love of country and honor for the stars and
stripes.
Thus closed closed one of the most
profitable institutes which has ever been
held anywhere. The work was more dis
normal in character than is has
ever been before, which was a source of
much qualification to the teachers, who do
not hesitate to express their approval.
The corps Of instructors can hardly be
surpassed in ability by any that could be
selected in the state. The conductor, Mr..
Kendrick, was a comparative stranger
when he began the work four weeks ago,
but it did not take him long to win the
confidence and earnest regard of every
member of his respective classes. History
and natural philosophy under his manage
ment were very interesting studies; pys-
chology was delight to the SOUL" and
the photography class learned to spell as
ne'er man spelled before; and the cal
isthenic movements were simply a thing
Of beauty and a JOY forever" Mr.. Ken
drick is an excellent instructor and takes
a genuine interest in his classes.
Mr.. Charles was well known to many of
the teachers and for that reason was more
heartily welcomed by them as an instruc-
tor. Having met with them the two years
previous in that capacity he has won |
4 warm place IN their hearts. His classes |
n geography and bookkeeping were
always interesting, and those in reading |
even more so. The instruction was par /
icularly helpful in teaching the last |
named branch in the various grades, and |
f followed by the teachers the coming /
7ear the work in reading will be made /
more effective than it has ever been be- (
ore. The work in the grammar classes /
las been invaluable. Mr.. Charles has /
AIKEN them to the very root of the subject /
md they can not help having better IN
Outstanding OF grammatical terms and /
constructions and a more honest regard for
as branch OF study.
Mr. Lawrence, too, had many friends
Imong the teachers at the beginning OF
he term, having been engaged in the
work last year, and be has many more
low. His work has been very painstak-
ng aud thorough in all his classes. The
Instruction in arithmetic will be very ben
fetal to the teachers before their classes
they will but profit by it, especially the
nalysis and mental solutions. The con-
titution class certainly has clearer con-
option of the principles OF our govern
lent, and the classes in physiology fully
ppreciate MS efforts in their behalf in
occurring for them interesting and instruct
We lectures by eminent physicians.
Mr.. Robbins is probably not so well
nown by tie teachers, as he appeared be-
ore the class but once day in teaching
but be is certainly master of
he art and understands his work thor
ughly. Nothing is more needed in the
district schools than a better knowledge