Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-09
PRESIDENT DRAPER TALKS
opens the winter Course of Lectures
Before the school Teachers
of Omaha.

Judge Andrew s. Draper. president Of the
University OF Illinois, revealed himself in
his lecture at the First Congregational
church last night as a practical optmist.
He expressed his confidence in the ability
Of Americans to govern themselves and those
who are entrusted to their care Capably and
to a successful issue His chief reliance was
In tho soundness of American character and
he thought that the elements which lent to
its strength should be encouraged. "Virn-
ity and culture II possible he said in the
course Of his address, but vrlity anyway.
There are often more valuable lessons taught
in the rush line of foot ball team than in
college class rooms in a year. There is as
much education in knowing how to steer
& boat az in tho ability to estimate the
course OF the stars
Americans may be lacking in conven-
tlonality," continued President Draper, but
they possess bone and sinew and tho race
would conquer in a hand to hand conflict
over any nation on earth. The aggressive
mesa OF the nation is steadied by strong
conservatism. The maeses, as a whole
Will have nothing to do with socialism and
anarchy. No opportunity would tempt them
to license or lapine. In this national en-
lightenment lies the assurance of the ma
tion's perpetuity'
The speakers audience was made up Of
the teachers of Omaha who brought him
here to open their winters series of lee
lures and he accordingly brought out the
part Of educators in molding the nations
future. Continuing he said: "Other races
which struggled as uobly as did the American
colonies to free themselves from oppressive
rule have failed signally TO govern them
selves Nations which have extended their
commerce as far as we and built their
cities as high have seen the work of their
hands Crumble to decay. To avoid their
fate we have built up a school system which
is unique we have spent untold millions
that the common people might understand
tho laws of nature and society. The oppor-
tunity for liberal education has been laid
at the door of every child and even forced
upon him. Education is the birthright of
children born in the nineteenth century
and we have advanced to the ground that
child shall only be under the control Of
his parents when that government is wise,
for before all the coming generation is the
ward Of the state.
Educating forces should bo practical. La
Dor as well as learning should be dignified
and The imparting of manliness and woman
lineso should be no small part OF the teach
er's mission.
at is the destiny of the Anglo-SaXon race
to spread over the earth. Since it is assured
that the American republic is to stand We
must accept the fact that it is to expand
Tho AngloSaxon race was meant to gov
ern and that it will govern well no true
patriot will doubt. The race which grew
up in western Europe from Norman, Saxon
and Teuton blood was sef-governing. Its
emancipation was proclaimed at Runnymede
and established at Nasby, Dunbar and Mar
ston Moor. The colonies which have left
the motherland have upheld its traditions.
One fragment lent imperishablo distraction
to Plymouth by disembarkng there and
setting up government which was admins
tered with firmness and tolerance. The re-
volt of the coloniets from a tyrants rule
only added credit to the race from which
they sprang. The revolving Americans were
better Englishmen than the political fac
tion in control when intolerable hardshps
were laid upon them by the home govern
ment. Since that time the race has been inn
proved and weakened by the new blood
of venturesome immigrants from other Eu-
ropean nations. The Scandinavians and Ger
mans have added their thrift, the Irish their
wit and the Italians their artistic tempera-
ment"
Prof. Draper was introduced by Super