Evening star., 1898-07-08
presence of the whole world and say am
an American
Real Patriotism.

In conclusion Dr. Whitman said our coun-
try neefed just now to lay emphasis upon
the fact that patriotism is not confined to
carrying a sword.
ITO be loyal to the principles Of sound
government" he exclaimed; "to be faithful
to the demands of citizenship; to be honest
in the discharge of social obligations; 10
be clean and pure and true-that is patriot
ism. Teach that to every scholar from the
Kindergarten to the school Of philosophy.
"Out from the school room it will find its
way up and down the land. The millionaire
will learn it and will administer his wealth
as patriot. The statesman Will learn 1t,
and will discharge his office as a patriot.
The plow boy will learn it, and will turn
his furrow patriot. Fatherhood will
learn it, and will count it joy to be proved
worthy of so holy a task. Motherhood Will
learn it. and will teach the lips that lisp
their evening prayer to frame the name OF
their country, making of their country and
themselves a daily offering to God So the
boyhood and girlhood OF today, which your
faithful work is preparing for the larger
tasks of tomorrow will offer to the world
the manhood and womanhood that makes
the strength of nations and furnishes the
largest guarantee that our faith in our
institutions is not misplaced"
The applause when the speaker closed
continued for several minutes, the audi
ence cheering and waving hats and hand
kerchiefs.
A particularly pleasing selection by the
Marine Band followed, and then United
States Commissioner of Education w r.
Harris was introduced
An Impressive Address.
The address of Commissioner of Educa-
tlon Wm I. Harris, which followed prov
ed most interesting contribution. and
every word was closely listened to- voicing,
as he did, the imperial future of this great
Ter hi 10 in
alluding to the national capital being the
most fitting place in which to hold the con-
ventlon at this important epoch in the
countrys history. Sketching the rapid
progress of the nation in popula ton and
wealth, which now surpassed the graa test
or European nations, he said it had ONLY
peen question of time when we should
take our place among the nations as a real
power IN managing the worlds affairs and
De counted with the great powers of Eu-
rope in the government of Asia Africa
ana the isles of the sea. 1t was moment
ne thought, to be postponed rather than
nastened by the patriotic citizen, because
IL meant the beginning of an essentially
new career But once the United States
entered upon it, it had now sall its DOW
ers and resources must be devoted TO
adapting 1t to the new situation and de-
lending its line of advance for it cannot
move back without national humiliation.
Our Foremost Interest.
Continuing, the speaker said hereafter
our foremost national interest must be the
foreign one and consequently our highest
studies must be made on the characters,
lnchnatlons and interests of foreign powers
1t is obvious that this study REQUIRES a
greater breadth of education, more special
lzlng IN history and in the manners and
customs OF European nations, their meth
ouS OF organizing industries as well as
their methods of organizing armies and
navles. We must even master foreign lit
eratures and get what are the fundamental
tspilallons tk OF the people. This points to
1ne system of education in this country
Ihls indicates the function of the school,
master in the coming time
The Duty of the Teachers,
In concluding his thoughtful address Mr..
Harris spoke as follows:
SWALLOW elementary studies help us to un-
oerstand our immediate environment, but
Tor the understanding of deep national diff
1erences and for the management of all
that Is alien to our part of the world. deep
er stuules are required The student must
penetrate the underlying fundamental prin-
clples OF the world history in order to see
how such different fruits have grown on
the same tree of humanity. We must look
pie who have learned to understand the
fashlons and daily customs of a foreign
people and who have learned to connect
Ihe surface of their every day life with the
deep national principles and aspirations
which mold and govern their individual and
social action. Hence the significance of
tnis epoch, in which you are assembled to
discuss the principles of educa ton and its
methods of practice. There have been great
emergencies, and great careers have opened
10 American teachers in our former history
but you stand today on the vestibule of a
sun more important age, the age of the
union OF the new world with the old world
The impression made by Commissioner
harris was evident in all parts of the vast
q W tn1 ;tl,
applause when he concluded
President Greenwoods Address.
He was followed by President J. M.
Greenwood of the N. E. A, who read his
annual address. The educational tenden-
ctes OF the United States, he said. were
tempest tossed; but out of the ferment
good would come as the settling down and
purifying process is carried on scientifcal-
ly. A careful analysis of the best educa-
o1 tional thought Of the country showed that
put few issues of any permanent value had
been settled. The child was being ad-
Justed to his new condition, but his spirit
ual possessions We're being held in trust
The nation, he said, had put the educa-
tional machinery in motion and then al
lowed it to run largely by virtue of its own
momentum. There was a favorable ten
dency to foster more profound inyestipa-
ton and secure higher grade of scholar
ship After alluding to the claim so broad
ly made that nation cannot be developed
III itS Drain power beyond certain degree
without danger, which, he said was a
physiological question engaging specialists
everywhere, he said:
Important Problems.
Real education could, no doubt, lead the
mind out to natural growth, but what
kind of leading this should be in order to
preserve the people from weakness is get
ting to be a very serious matter that re-
quires the most cons; inmate skill to ham
die wisely Is there an education which
causes deterioration of brain power? Can
1t be judged of by its effects upon those
races which are regarded as being lower in
the scale Of living than are the nations Of
!: