People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1896-12-03


be an easy one.
You represent to-day in the profession
to which you belong the corner stone
upOa which rests the welfare, prosperity
and perpetulty Of this republic Upon
your shoulders rests the great responsl-
bilities and patriotic duty of moulding
and preparing for the duties Of citizen
ship the young generation of to-day.
Well has it been said, "as the twig is
bent, the tree inclines, and Twas taught
in my early school days that an appli-
cation of the twig when welded by a
healthy and vigorous school marin would
produce results that were long remem-
bered and not easily forgotten. And
when our teacher after a good nights
rest would appear at her desk and from
her open Bible read the text that fur
nished the platform upon which she
did business, those divine words of
spare the rod and spoil the child, the
illustrations Of the meaning of that part
of the Sacred Word that she furnished
were of such a forcible character they
are still remembered.
But to-day in mature manhood, look
ing back over those early days, seeing
now what | could not see then, the many
mischievOuS things we unthOughtedly
did that annoyed and at times made
unhappy the noble men and women who
were trying as best they could to fit us
for the duties that come to every one in
after life, my heart goes out in respect
and admiration to the profession that
you represent to-day.
Don't ever allow any one in your pres
ence, without a protest, to call yours a
humble profession. 1t is far from that.
It's the grandest profession of the age.
From its ranks have come large num-
Der OF the great men and women who
have won honor and renown in every
walk in life.
While much has been done during the
last twenty-five years to Tighten the bur
denS and make more pleasant the duties
of the teacher, there are still great re-
SponSibilities resting on you.
1t is calling that requires the pa
thence of job. The mother who feels
that she is about worn ont with the
noise, confusion and mischief of her
children until she has got them bundled
off to school, does not. perhaps, fully
understand and consider the duties and
burdens thai rest upon that teacher who
has her duties and cares multiplied by
the care Of the children of probably
twenty other families besides her own,
every one Of them a genuine son and
daughter Of old Adam and as prone to
mischief and waywardneSS as the sparks
are to fly upward, giving ample proof oil
that old doctrine Of the natural deprav
ity of all mankind.
No wonder then that the grand womer
who as teachers have the care of oul
children make the best wives and mo-
theirs in after years, and that the school
masters become the leading statesmen
and philosophers Of our times.
But must close. | Lam proud Of the
great progress and advancement in th,
schools Of Kansas, commend AMI an
prove the efforts thai have been made ir
our schools 10 teach lessons Of patriotism
and fidelity 90 our country.
The boy, to-day learning in our schoo
the history Of The great achievements O
our soldiers and statesmen. who by thri
integrity, yaior and love Of country hayI
made this country indeed the land o
the free and the home Of the brave: thu
boy whose heart CLOVIS with pride anC
admiration as he reads of the battles o
Concord and Lexington, where the frs
resistance was made by the yeomanry o
our country against the tyranny of Grea
Britain.
by the rude bridge that arched the food,
Thelr flag to April's breeze unfured:
There the embattled farmers stood.
Ana nred the shot heard round the world.
The boy that is proud Of the heroisn
and valOr of our forefathers at Bunker
Hill and Yorktown, and who has learned
to honor and to love the grand old heroe.
VINO still remain TO tell the story Of
Gettysburg and Appomattox; that boy
when the time comes that the mantle Of
responsibility TO care for and protect
the flag of our country shall fall upon
his shoulders, will accept that duty with
as brave heart, with as ardent devo.
ton to ever guard its sacred folds as has
actuated our brave defenders of oul
country in the days of old.
| believe that the future has good
things in store for the children of Kan
Sas, and for us ALL Even now, it seems
to me the clouds are rolling back and
there is a glow in the eastern sky that
foretellS the coming of more prosperous
days. The green wheat fields seem tc
whisper words of cheer and hope to the
husbandman. And In this great era Of
progress and in this glorious future that
awaits us, Kansas will once more ride in
the band wagon and lead wherever glory
and honor call her.
Again | welcome you to our city.
Again welcome you and extend to YOU
our hearty greetings. | remember Ia
have read how in olden times it was Gus.
tomary and as a mark of esteem for the
mayor to give to distinguished guests
the keys of the city; our city has nc
keys; the gates of Wellington swing with
the breeze; the latch-string hangs out.
side our door; enter and possess your.
selves OF our homes, as you have already
the hearts of our people. | trust
that when this session Is over that YOU
will all return in safety 10 your home.
carrying with you kindly remembrance
OF Wellington and her people.
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