The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-27
Meeting Of State Teachers
Association.
large attendance Last Night at the Opening OF
Its Deliberations.


Capitol was filled to it's utmost ca
pacity last night at the opening of the
State Teachers Association meeting.
All day long educators had been ar
irving in the city on the various trains
and men eminent in the educational
ranks Of the State had been in session
during the afternoon. Although the at
mosphere was full Of fog outside there
was no fog in the minds of those who
had come together to discuss questions
of the greatest import, not only to the
schools, but to the whole State, for the
citizen is the State and the citizen Of
to-day is the schoolboy of a few years
ago and the training he received then
and trend given to his mind while at
school has largely determined his ca
reer and the question of whether he is
to be an aid to society in its endeavors
to better itself or a stumbling block in
the path Of progress and perhaps some
thing worse.
After a lively selection by Neale's or
chestra, the exercises of the evening
were opened by "a brief address by City
Superintendent Erlewine, who acted as
Chairman, and in a few well-chosen
words acknowledged the honor done the
city in being selected for the meeting
of the association and babe them a
hearty welcome.
He was followed by Rev. ]. B. Silcox,
who offered an eloquent invocation.
Mayor Land was then introduced by
Superintendent Erlewine and deliv-
cred an address of welcome on behalf
Of the city as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men Of the Convention: 1t affords me
great pleasure to meet with you this
evening, and as the Mayor of Sacra-
mento, to extend to you, who are en-
gagged in the grand and noble pursuit
of educating the youth of our State,
the greetings Of Sacramento.
There are those who can see no bene-
fits beyond the dollar and cent profit,
who value the benefits of education
simply as a means of physical liveli-
hood, and hold cheap, or incompetent,
the higher knowledge which develop
the growing graces of humanity. This,
I think, is the lowest estimate of edu-
cation, and one that can inspire moth
ing noble in thought, purpose or ac-
ton.
The least, practical, useful knowl-
edge. however, is not to be disdained-
man must know the rules and sources
of thrift to secure temporal independ-
ence or comfort, but he who halts
when he has learned the ways and
means Of subsistence, or even Of
wealth, has scarcely mastered the
primer of profitable education. Be-
yond this knowledge begins those
springs, which once tasted, enlarge the
mental and moral stature, opening a
life Of thought, emotion, aspiration, joy
illimitable as the soul and inexhausti-
BILE as time and eternity. He who en-
ters this sphere of education lives, as
compared with his earth-groping fell
low, double life-a life of superior
physical enjoyment, and a life above
that as high as the immortal spirit Is
above the mortal body.
To care for our material wants is,
indeed, a part of our nature, but all
knowledge, all education that points no
higher than this, might well be classed
with the instincts of the beasts that
perish. Education benefits, exalts and
ennobles just in proportion as it en-
ables man to master and rise above
his animal wants.
The enjoyments that spring from edu-
cation are increasing and perpetual
thrones may be overturned, States con-
vulsed and dynasties perish, but no
mortal power or exigence can rob the
soul Of its treasure Of knowledge,
whence come philosophy and wisdom
philosophy to look above and beyond
the quickly passing Ills and pomps Of
time, and wisdom to perceive that all
things earthly, save truth, virtue and
goodness, are vanity.
The knowledge that is power, and
the education that forms the COM
mon mind" are something higher than
the art Of manipulating implements Of
labor or working the machinery of
trade, and when Burke said, "Educa-
ton is the cheap defense of nations
he meant more than the imperfect
routine of schools-and all education is
imperfect that does not tend to de-
velop the full-rounded, moral and intel
lectual man.
In conclusion to you, one and ALL
cheerfully extend the freedom of the
city and bid you a hearty welcome.
Then followed a vocal duet between
Mrs. ]. H. Coppersmith and Mrs. B. F.
Howard rendered with exquisite taste
and feeling, and for an encore sang
Schubert's 'Serenade" beautifully.