The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-05-05
IN MEMORY OF MANN
ANNIvERsARy OBSERVANCE FOR
THE EDUCATOR.



the Y. NJ. c. A. hall Monday even
ing was a most interesting and i'll
structive function. 1t was under
the auspices of the Normal Train.
ing class, and was celebration Of
the Iooth anniversary Of the father
of the popular institution in Amer.
lea and one of the chief promoters
Of the higher education of teachers.
The half hour preceding the even.
ing's program was devoted to in
formal reception to Mr.. H. S.
Townsend, Inspector General OF
Schools.
The first feature of the evening
was paper by Mr.. II. M. Wells,
biographical sketch Of Horace
Mann. 1t began with mention oi
the inauspicious birth of the subject
in the lap of extreme poverty al
Franklin, Mass, Following in
order came his struggle for a liveli-
hood and an education, entrance
into Brown university and later in.
to politics. AS legislator, secre.
tary of the Board of Education and
finally a congressman he was de-
voted to certain principles that were
ultimately the crowning features o.
his life work.
When On the highway to great
political honors and distinction, he
accepted an offer Of a chair in the
college Of Antioch, Ohio, at the
salary of Sr 900 per year. This,
however, was the last stone TO the
long coveted position where Mann
could devote his great talents tc
the cause of education, Massa.
chusetts was his chosen field. He
worked with his own power and
the influence of his friends, with
the result that the system Of nor.
nal training was successfully es
tablished. This extended rapidly
into New York and thence to the
four quarters Of America, carrying
with it general campaign of pop.
ular education. Children unborn
will receive the effects of the teach.
ings of Horace Mann.
The paper was replete with in
teresting anecdotes and sketches o.
historic importance. 1t evinced g
deal of careful researt h and study
on the part Of the writer. The sue
ceeding numbers of the program
consisted of a vocal solo by Mis-.
Kate Fleming, a recitation by Mrs
J. L. Dumas and a piano selection
by Miss Marguerite Green. Ther
came the address OF the evening by
Mr.. H. S. Townsend on the sub
ject, Horace Mann and the Nor
NAL Schools"
Mr.. Townsend said Mann wa.
nursed by toll, but nursed too
much. He was a martyr to tn,
cause of education. So closely die
he devote himself to his chosei
work that he wore out his lif,
when it should have been in 1t!
prime and died. He was a man o
immovable convictions. From
childhood he believed in the doc
trine of foreordination; that Coz
created the universe for his owl
and foreordained the destinies o
all things. At IL, his whole natur,
rebelled against sentiments expires
sed by clergyman i'll funeral ser
mon, calling attention to the un
fortunate state of a person dying
without the saving knowledge o
Christianity.
His real character and great abil
ity manifested itself in his work To-
education in Massachusetts. Afte
hard struggle money to operat,
three normal schools for a period o
three years each were subscribed
The first school was started OH Lex
ington Green, the scene of the frs
battle of the Revolution. 1t started
with three pupils, but rapidly grew
in strength and Importance. The
other two schools likewise flourish
ed. They formed the nucleus Of ;
system that has made Massachusetts
great educational field, and ha.
been and is of untold value to thu
nation. In closing Mr.. Townsent
paid an eloquent tribute to the mora
principles of Prof. Mann.
The remaining numbers OH thu
program consisted of a mandolin
solo by Mr.. Charles King and {
recitation by Miss Nettie Ham
mond. The evening closed will
abundant refreshments provided b!
the class.