The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-10-06
What Makes the Man.

We notice the perennial efforts OF
speakers In season and out OF sea
SON. to immortalize the Rev. DR.. Moses
Waddell, II may be, at the expense OF the
teachers of the present day. We notice that
Prof. Wardlaw, of Columbia, has taken that
spirit with him from his old home at tho cap.
itol of the Stale.
1t is all well enough to give honor 10 the
dead, and 1t is well enough TO give him
proper praise for having educated a number
Of most excellent young men whose names
we're not only engraved on the history OF the
country, but has been everastingly burntinto
the minds of this generation.
There are many people living today who
may believe that DIR. Moses Waddell possess
ed superior natural powers and had the gift
of engrafting brains on those who may have
been deficient in mental calibre.
This editor acknowledges that he knows
very little personally of the distinguished
educator. His name does not appear In our
copy OF the American Cyclopeda, and we
have 10 depend only on his admirers. who
repeat the stereotyped phrases with sngu-
lar regularity.
AS we understand the facts they are sub
stantially these:
He was one OF the earliest teachers in this
county and was one OF the best teachers in
this part OF the State. He was man Of edu-
cation and good native powers.
He taught d high-class school to which we'll
to-do people sent their sons TO be boarded
and taught. We had few schools and
colleges then.
| He taught school for many years, and dul.
| ing that time he had under his tuition per.
haps hundreds of scholars. OF that number
several attained local distinction, and some
may have gained national reputation.
Since his death other schools have sprung
up and have enlarged, extended and improv-
ed the good work which he began In the early
years.
| Any idea that he was superhuman, or that
he was better teacher than the good teach.
ers of today is utterly preposterous.
He had no power Of imparting brains to
the youth under his care. They were born
with brains and possessed within themselves
the elements Of greatness, without further
reference TO DR.. Waddell than the fact of bis
having beeh their instructor.
| DR.. Waddell was the teacher OF perhaps a
thousand fine minded young men, who were
|
environment. If at least a dozen or SO OF
that number had not become prominent and
useful citizens, their failure 10 do so would
| have been most remarkable.
The teacher, like the preacher, may mould
the character, but either the teacher nor the
preacher has the lower TO impart brains. Nc
am ount OF scrubbing can change the pewter
mug into the silver pitcher and no man has
yet made silk purse out OF a sows ear.
No one would doubt the teachers ability tC
make his impress upon the character and
habits of his sch GLARS, bat it Is simpleton
who mistakes brains, or the mental qualities,
for the principles which make character
or course there Is no character without
brains upon which 1t may be founded, buI
the elements which make greatness are en-
dowments OF nature-the teacher can only
develop this inherent manhood.
| That there are today better teachers In Alb
beville county, than the late Rev. DR.
Waddel we think no conservative
mind Will doubt We have made progrest
during the last fifty years. We know more
of the arts Of teaching than DR.. Waddell evel
dreamed Of in his sublimest moments. We
have better apparatus. We have better
books. We have better systems.
The college at Due West, and the high
schools at Abbeville and Mccormick today
no doubt furnish better facilities for education
than it was possible for DR.. Waddell 10 offer
He was simply great educator OF his day
and If he were alive to day he would not,witl
his antiquated ideas and out OF date meth
ods, stand the ghost OF chance OF being elect
ed TO the superintedancy of the Abbeville
| Graded School.