The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-31
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AYERS


4 -
ing a splendid coprs of traine men and
women teachers to carry on the especial
work of the institution. We have a
new normal school with over a hundred
| pupils just starting on its career Of
usefulness in the far western part of the
| territory, which will soon have as good
and suitable building for its work as
any of the others. We have also new
building in course of erection at Lang
ston, which will provide a normal, a
university and an agricultural and me-
| chanical course for our colored young
people. And beside all these institu-
tons we have district or comman
school in every nook and corner of this
great territory, so that good frst-class
education is offered here, free to all our
| people, for every boy and girl in Okla
homa. ~
-.And all this has been builded in a
period OF less than nine years-no state
ever before accomplished so much in
the same length of ftime as has been done
| here. - @ >a
'.And among all the free institutions of
this republic none are grander than the
common schools. They are a precious
boon to every man-indeed they are his
Aladin's cave, where his little ones may
find the bright jeyels of an education
which will fit them for the performance
of their duties as free men and women.
In them the children Of all American
| citizens, without respect to station, prop
| erty or race, can receive that educa ton
which shall promote intelligent Ameri-
can citizenship and ardent patriotism.
"And with this rich endowment, with
all these facilities for the education OF
our youth. with the able and energetic
corps of educators whom L have the
! pleasure and the honor 10 greet this
evening. 1 feel sure that Oklahoma takes
rank with the foremost, the equal of the,
best and the superior OF many of the
states in an matters Of free public
school education.
Statesmen tell US that it is upon the
education of the people that this repub-
lie must edpend for its still greater
progress land advancement, for ma
tfon's wealth consists not alone in its
natural resources and broad domain but
in the intelligence and virtue Of its cit
izens; it's mobiles are not the men of royal
birth but the men of sober thoughtful
ness and righteous deeds.
'It has sometimes seemed to me, my
friends. that we are attempting to teach
too much in the public schools but when
I reflect and consider the remarka ole
advance and progress in all these things
which make life worth living, made by
the people Of this country since our
commOel school system became firmly es-
tabIished in their hearts and has been
in general operation all over the land.
1 know that this is mistake; and upon
further reflection it seems 10 me that We
should go further and teach two things
more than are now generally recognized
as a necessary part Of such an educa-
ton.
lone OF these things is the great value
and the great necessity of fgh moral
standard Now do not get alarmed
am not going TO preach TO you OF a un-
ion of the church and the state, nor
argue the vexed question OF the Bible in
the public schools. Nor would | take
away one jot or title of the prerogative
of tile churches to be the great leaders
and teachers Of morality, which they are
on the contrary let US help them all
tnat We can-but nevertheless i believe
that il would be a grand good thing il
all our young men and women could be
turned cut ofSchool not only educated in
all ltne necessary branches Of modern
study. but also with the very highest
and best standard Of moral character
known in the world.
.Pope SAYS an honest man ia the
roblest work Of God and pTesumiHg
that he means US 20 understand tnat
woman IS Included in the general term
ne uses, / cordially agree with hIul-
And, my friends. God has done his
rart. aad done IL we'll The precious lit
t,A Youngsters are born into this world
all right They have bright nllfds and
honest hearts and only need the hand
OF the right sort Of a mother and father
ard school teacher to make OF them
what Goi intended they should sh be-
honest men and women.
DO Your part then my ffien.is, as
teachers. 10 40 mould and ieYel3p the
very highest and best moral sentiments
arI principis in the breasts % yoIr
Young pupils 50 t1st when they are full
grown u,ea and women they viii go
forth into the wSrl; aOt only Si:h
good book education Lut with brain
ani near as firm ami irard as .-be s-ul9-
tured marble or the everlasting nils. 20
know ard perform the rlgl; and 20 re-
sist the wrorg. Te2-b them 70 sSs'ri 20
do 4 disaancTable Or dishonest act IA
1uolic affairs as vel a IN private nat
,ecs. Impress upon their minis Fighs
views - character and II Ete, settts
before Ihsn .lish ideas. Hfsisg them up
20 noble conceptions u the possibilities
ins.er-nt in every human being Tcis Il
the Kind 81 educs.ian TIA; vlH ;asie
Insn an,i women go5-. citizens sni ;re-
pare them to successfully fgat tie bzt-
tlss os lie.
AMI would nave our youth edacs1-