The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-19

ton.
 The members of this association un- derstand better than any other class of people in Alabama the urgent needs of our educational interests.
 They are not here for selfish pur- poses, but in the interests of a better educational system for the boys and girls of Alabama; to improve the sys- tenn so far as 1t can be done within the ranks of this Association. and to appeal to the Constitutional Conven- ton for such legislation as will be most helpful to our public school interests.
 A new Constitution containing such laws will not fail to receive the hearty endorsement of the teachers throughout the State, and, also, of thousands of parents who are depending upon this new organic law to provide better ways and means for the education of their children.
 At the conclusion of the address of Professor Roof. Miss Collier Hollan of Troy. an accomplished eiocutionist and a graduate of one of the leading elocu- tionary colleges in Boston favored the audience with recitation. Miss Hol- Ian possesses much histrionic talent She recited The Majors Story" in a masterly manner. The sweetness of her voice. the facial expression and the manner in which she handled her sub feet in keeping with the ideas advanced and imaginative pictures drawn was rendered in such a way as to win the greatest admiration from the audience.
 MT. Abercrombie Speaks.
 Hon. J. W. Abercrombie, State Super inteudent of Education, delivered a magnificent address in the nature of a plea for higher education. He spoke extemporaneously and his address was frequently interrupted with applause.
 Mir. Abercrombie said that he. was grateful for the opportunity to address the Educational Association. Two years ago. he said, he spoke on the History of the Public School Sys- tem.' Last year he spoke on the de- fects in the public school system and how to remedy them. Last night he chose different topic.
 MT. Abercrombie said that this is a problematical age. The republic is nu longer in swaddling clothes. It has passed its period of infancy. Old things. old themes. practices, hopes. ideas of right and constitutional liber- ty are drifting far out on the sea of uncertainty. Nothing is fixed. Trusts, monopolies, new conditions of trade, commercial and territorial expansion are working wonderful changes tn commercial worlds; combinations of capital are rapidly lessening the field for the exercise of individual effort. The Church is torn by senselesS condi- tions within and retarded by unjust criticism without. People who should live forever on the mount of brotherly love are wallowing in the mire of greed. gain and dishonor. Many, act as though they were to eat. sleep, breathe and pass away.
 Mir. Abercrombie said that much of the social life today is founded on false foundations. To shine in social func- tfons, to live the life of a butterfly, to set the fashion has become greater desire than the noble existence which comes from humble toil Marriage is laughed at. Its, sacred vows are made to be broken. Home Is sometimes pam demonium and the intelligent and ob- serving citizen asks where is the men and where are the women who are to solve the perplexing problems that con- fronts us. ~ Whom can we rely upon for proper guidance of the ship of State
 "I answer, to- you, fellow teachers, ' said MT. Abercrombie. Tt is yours to direct, guard and preserve the Republic Yours to apply correct thinking and pa- triotic acting to t solution of inn pending problems. 1T opportunity is great and equally great is your re- responsibilities. It is your duty to pre- pare the youth of the country for cit izenship, and that is a matter of great importance. It is especially true in a country like ours. It is not enough that the youth be prepared for busi-
 ness, social and professional duties but also for the patriotic, intelligent domain of citizenship"
 Just a century ago, said MT. Aber- crombie, our nation was limited to six teen States and 5,O00.00O people. To- day there are 75,000,O00 people and the domain extends from ocean to ocean and far out into the ocean.
 What is the chief quality for success in meeting the responsibilities and du- ties of every day life? The Latin pro- verb, Sound mind in sound body" is as true today as when the Romans ruled the world. MT. Abercrombie said that along with mental training should go physical culture, the necessity for a regular, systematic exercises, plain wholesome food. hygienic conditions are not to be overlooked. Mental training Is essential to progress and prosperity to every vocation and avocation. NC sane person questions the importance of moral culture. The power to dis criminate between right and wrong Is absolutely essential to well-rounded moral development.
 MT. Abercrombie called attention to patriotism. He said that it was one of the noblest feelings that God ever placed in the breast of man. It should reign in office and workshop, in pros- perity and diversity, in counting room and field-everywhere That feeling is a guardian angel which will watch over the repslblic. He dwelt at some length on the power of application and urged the teachers to impress upon their pupils it's vast importance. "Work is what we need" said he. Work we must if he would succeed. With the sweat of brow and the sweat of brain must each precious thing be gained and kept. It fells the forest, clears the field and builds the home. It spans chasms. bedecks oceans with floating palaces. gives us the poem, essay, ora tion. novel and historical record. It accomplishes all this and more. With out 1t the world would be a wilderness and man in his premeval condition.
 The President announced that the standing committees would not be ap- pointed until this morning.
 Dr. J. D. Humphrey of Huntsville, moved that the discussion of local tax ation which was on the program for this morning. be postponed until 4:3O o'clock this afternoon and that com mittee be appointed to invite the Com mittee on Education of the Constitu- tional Convention to meet with the Ed ucational Association and hear the dis