New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-17
LILLE SEMMER ASSEMBLIES.

1t is an age Of conventions, and Americans
are undoubtedly more devoted to the pursuit
of mental, moral and physical culture by this
means than any other people. 1t would be
impossible without careful preparation to
enumeratc more than fraction of the organ
zations which annually meet to confer upon
subjects which specially occupy the thoughts
of their members. The most willing news
paper can cover only small part of the field
with its reports, and there are numerous gather
ings of sincere and intelligent persons who must
be disappointed at their failure to impress them
selves imme diately upon public attention. From
one point Of view these convocations are I'M
questionably useful They are composed in
large degree of hard working men and women.
TO whom they supply at moderate cost facilities
for recreation and social intercourse which
would he lacking without them and which are
perfectly harmless and healthful. Hotels and
transportation companies are glad to offer them
their services at low rates, and the communities
which they temporarily augment and advertise
are invariably courteous and hOspitable. They
| supply an agreeable variety to lives which are
/ generally labOriOus and methodical and in these
results find ample justification for their sup
port.
Observers have sometimes been inclined to
think that the utility of such conventions was
| mostly confined within these limits. 1t does
| not always appear in the reports of proceedings
that much practical knowledge is impaired by
the addresses and debates which make up the
formal programme. Some of them may even
be of such a quality MS TO suggest the idea
that the intellectual exercises are merely an
excuse for a few days of novel diversion. But
we think that this is an unwarranted criticism,
however friendly it may be. The real meas
ure of value in these cases is the spirit pro-
! duced among those in attendance, for they
carry that spirit home with them and il may
become exceedingly fruitful thereafter in a
thousand places. To take an illustration from
| Chautauqua, which is, of course, n different
sort of institution, the positive knowledge there
| obtained is infinitely less important than the
| tastes and aspirations which are there cult
waited and the intellectual life which is thence
| disseminated. And so it is with these sOco-
logical, educational and religious gatherings.
They stimulate vital interest in the causes
which they are designed to promote, not so
much through the agency of facts acquired and
discoveries made as by means of the nspira-
ton which contact and intercourse produce.
IL would not be difficult to trace many definite
and calculable benefits TO the whole country
to the proceedings of these summer conven-
tons We shall be much disappointed, for ex-
ample, if the resolutions of the National Edu-
cational Association respecting the need of
patriotic education fail to bear good fruit 1t
is true. as these resolutions declare. that " any
school or system of schools must be regarded
as failure in one great essential If pupils are
not Loyalty taught the great lessons of patriotism
and good citizenship" There never was Q