The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-07-27
A Many-sIded President.

President Harrison's address before
the National Educational association a
Saratoga was characterized at once BY
genial brightness and homely good sense
So constant was the play Of his wit and
pleasantly that his sedate and intellect
ual audience Of well seasoned teachers
was eonvulsed with merriment yet
there was withal 80 much that was acute
in his observations, so much that was
philosophical in his reflections that this
body Of trained educators left his pres
ence with increased respect for the Pres
idential Office and with an enlarged con-
sciousness Of the dignity Of their calling
and the importance of their work. There
are few public men who would care 10 do
more than to exchange commonplace re-
marks and polite compliments with an
assembly of National educators Of high
reputation. The President is a many
sided man. He speaks invaribly from a
full mind, and with naturalness and
simplicity has something wise and
thoughtful to say whenever he meets q
representative body OF Americans.
There Was something quaint in the
suggestion tina. it is quite as appropriate
that the President should review the
teachers of the land as that he should re-
view its army or its militia But how
logical it seemed when it was followed by
the reflection that the strength and de-
fence of National institutions, not unly
in peace, bit also in war, are to be found
in the educated youth Of the country
The teachers highest function in the
Presidents judgment is to give to eduea-
ton safe direction. II in family and
school are taught the elements Of mOrali-
ity, good citizenship, obedience to law
and enlightened patriotism, education
cannot be an undirected OF misdireeted
power. In this elevated strain the Presi-
dent went on TO discuss the modern de-
yelopment OF educational processes, TO
forecast q period when there should not
be found an adult citizen Of the United
States without the elements of school
training, and to encourage the patient
workers before him to take the highest
views OF the great business in which they
were engaged. at has an clement OF
life" he remarked, that no other work
has. II not cTOwns Of wealth, il not the
luxury and ease of great fortune art
yours, yours will be more enduring crown
if it can be said Of you that in every
touch upon the life Of the young you
have lifted it up"
1t IS fortune that the President has
emphasized in this way the Importance
of National education and the superior
dignity of teaching as a profession. This
is the Colunbus year, when retrOspects
Of the four centuries Of progress since the
greatest discovery of history are forced
upon rejecting minds What has made
the difference between the disordered
and often times reactionary social and
RJAAAllGA VI AAE Gba~ANA-
half Of the New World and the orderly
and progressive evolution Of Northern
civilization? The lack of schOolhouses
in Spanish America, and the mnltiplica-
ton Of them in town and in country, in
English America. This is the most i'm
pOrtani moral Of the Columbus year. 1t
Is National education which has de-
veloped the moral force of public Opin-
ion throughout the United States. Not
only should the flag float over the school
houses as a sign that each and everyOn,
is a stronghold Of civil goyernm ent, but
every American should also look upon
education as the supreme interest Of the
nation, and respect the great army OF
teachers as patriotic and high-mindet
garrison upholding the welfare and ex-
istenee Of society and protecting the in
stitution Of liberty and prOgress.-Nesr
York Tribune