The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-08-17
DEDICATION EXERCISES.
Eloquent Remarks by Gen. Baker,
Gen. Pope and the First Prin-
Cipal of the Normal,
Geo. M. Gage.

gathering of the alumni, and some
citizens, comprising an audience of
about 300 people. 1t was the first
session of the Normal Alumni associa-
tion, and ushered in what promises to
be very pleasant series of meetings.
At the request of President Hueb-
ner President Soaring presided.
After prayer by Rev. L. w. Beattie,
Gen. J. III. Baker was introduced, and
delivered finished and sensible adj
dress, which was thoroughly appre-
ciated by all present. He said that
many things have brought honor and
profit to Mankato, but none more so
than her schools. The quarries and
other natural resources are material
advantages, but the Normal school
furnishes intellectual culture.
Bridges, roads and other improve
ments speak we'll for community,
but it is the school that polishes, land is
the lapidary of intellect. Culture is a
distinctive move, and should be fos-
tered by the state. Schools and col
leges are mightier than armies and
navies. Polish, refinement and learn
ing are all elements Of national great
ness to the state.
Education was early carried on.
Moses was taught in some Egyptian
school, but the polished Greeks were
the first to make science of educa-
tion. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle and
Zeno were school masters. Education
here fiourished until stamped out by
the hoofOof the barbarian invasion.
Charlemagne re-eStabliShed 'the
schools. Learning lifted England to
the heights of renown and glory, and
the Puritans brought the desire for
education with them. This country
has schools and colleges that have no
parallel in history. There are over
800 colleges that grant degrees, hav-
ing over $4,000 students, and over
100000 volumes in their Libraries.
No other country ever made such prep,
arations for the education Of its
youth.
Popular education is the browning
glory of the American educational
system. 1t is free from sectarian OF
state control, while the management
is in the hands of the people. 1t is
the marrow and essence of our Amer.
lean freedom. In Minnesota there
are over 5000 common schools, an6
over 5000 schools of all kinds, which
shows we'll for state only 81 years
old. Educational advantages were
never so prevalent, and if the safety
of the country rests in the intelligence
of the people, our safety is rendered
sure.
In the Normal schools the army OF
1000 teachers, of the state are giver
special instruction. This is now the
policy of the state, and this policy is
logical and full of wisdom. This
army of teachers ought not to be
drafted out of the unframed body OF
the people. We have met here tC
celebrate the enlargement of the Nor
NAL school building. The state should
never permit those seeking the teach.
ing profession to suffer privation.
These schools have some patriotic
duties outside of the text book. We
want to thoroughly Americanize oul
schools. Let us begin by teaching
the English language, the language OF
our fathers, of our literature,
of our daily life. Other Ian
guageS are .un-American and sure
to revive traditions and feeling hos
tile to our country. Let us teach our
mother tongue, and actions should
joyfully share our splendid language.
! Then the constitution should be
taught, with it's full meaning, and the
spirit of our institutions that cover us
with such glory. Let us teach that
we have but one flag and one Ian
guage. Strange things are happening
in our country today that makes it
necessary to teach patriotism. Let
our 1000 teachers teach it, and teach
the children to keep happy faith in
the destiny of this nation. 1t was once
the proudest exclamation man could
make. 81 am Roman" Today let
us teach to say more justly and proud
ly, II am an American citizen"
Mr. Geo. NJ. Gage, of St. Paul, the
first principal of the school, was then
introduced, and spoke pleasantly, say
ing that he was glad to be present.
He had done the same thing that he
did when he first came to Mankato 26
years ago, gone to the Clifton house
and registered his name, as he did
August 2Sth, 1868. This was done to
revive old associations, as he had
boarded there for awhile The corner
stone of the school building was laid
in June, 1869. When the building
was occupied there was melodeon
for music, in the place of the present
grand piano. The Normal school be-
Oan in October 1898 in the basement