Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-06-06
GRADUATING EXERCISES
Eighteen Complete Course I'm the
Mineral Point High School and
Receive their Diplomas.
CLASS OF 1901 THE LARGEST
Address by Hon. I. C.. Richmond,
of Madison.

place In the lecture room OF the j. M.
church, on Friday morning, May 81.
The decorations were elaborate and
beautiful, and flowers in profusion
lent their fragrance. The attendance
was large, many being compelled to
remain standing throughout the exer
cises.
The program consisted OF music by
the orchestra, prayer by Rev. j..
Hardcastle, salutatory by Ira l..
Reynolds, address by Hon. u. G.
Richmond, valedictory by Helen II.
Harris, vocal solo by DR.. Fawkes,
presentation OF diplomas by Principal
A. II. Jolley, and u song by u quar-
iette composed of Drs. Clementson
and Fawkes, and Messrs. VIII Vick-
erman and Herman Parmley; Mrs. w.
S. Ross, pianist. The members Of the
graduating class entered the room to
n march played by Mr., William =.
Gundry,
THE ADDRESS
OF Mr.. Richmond aboundcd In whole
some truths, we'll told. From the be-
ginning to the close, he commanded
the earnest attention OF the entire
audience. He commenced by con
graduating the members OF the gradu-
ating class. Twelve years OF school
work, spent In close association with
each other, had drawn to u close, and
the reward for faithful service was
theirs. The speaker said that one
third OF the average lie Is spent In
school. No interest In Mineral Point
IL comparable with the work Of educa-
tion: no material as valuable rs the
boys and girls; no failure as great rs
the failure 10 properly provide for
their instruction; no fraud 30 great
rs the defrauding of the child of the
opportunities OF acquiring knowledge;
no sacrifice too great to make to BE-
cure an education for the child; no
ability In the teacher too high, no
school building or apparatus too
costly, for carrying on the work Of
popular education.
The education OF the youth OF the
land IL n surer defense for the cOun-
try than armies or navies. II IL n
safe Investment; the returns are
sure. stores may fail; mills may
shut down; banks may be robbed; but
learning once acquired IL never lost.
The older heads, the speaker said
may think that we have made great
advances; that we have better build |
ings, better apparatus, and spend
more money than In n past genera
ton for school purposes. True, but
there must still be progress; the sys-
tenn must be rcvolutioniZed; new dis
coveries and inventions, new advances
in arts and suicnccs make the unedu-
Gated man or woman more out of place
year by year. Provision must be
made for the full development of the
child's mental faculties and powers;
barbarism and savagery must give
way to civilization. The educated
man aud exalted character Will yet
conquer and hold the earth. Good
schools are absolutely necessary In
order that there NAV be an intelligent
citizenship. Imagine state without
schools; disintegration must follow.
The mental man must have food as
we'll M the physical man, All are
not equally able to educate their chill
dren; therefor, the speaker declared,
1t IL the duty of the state to educate
the youth of the state, Wealth can
be put to no holior purpose than the
building up of n splendid school sys-
tenn; II IL the duty of the state to see
that every child gets n good educa-
ton. 1t IL cheaper To develop moral
manhood than To deal with ignorance
and crime, A rightly established
school system Is essential to public
order. The laws OF Wisconsin pro-
vide that the flag of our country shall
float over every public school build
ing, thus indicating the democratic
character OF our schools, and teach
ing that within their walls there must
be no favoritism; that they are In no
sense class institutions.
After giving statistics to show what
progress the United States has made
In educational affairs, aud the power
she has gained on account of this
progress, MIR. Richmond spoke OF
the requisites Of the American school;
aud foremost he would place n compe-
tent, we'll qualified teacher, n teacher
whose presence IL benedictiou,
whose example can be followed,
whose character the parent would he
willing to have stamped upon the
child; character, more than scholar
ship, makes the man. The true teach
er, the speaker said, is he who teaches
the pupil how best to teach himself.
The good teacher always earns his
salary. The chief reason why so
many fail ms teachers is that they do
not choose the profession as their life
work. Too many practice on the
child and follow teaching rs n means
to reach other ends. This being true,
IL Is n wonder that our schools are as
good rs they are. In nearly every
other department and calling in life
experts are demanded, but inefficient
teachers are often allowed to practice
npon children, more precious than all
materials.
The speaker pleaded earnestly for
the increase OF opportunities for the
proper development OF faculties and
unknown powers OF the pupils. Mol
two children, he said, are alike; no
two children demand exactly the same
treatment; the class system is fire.