The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-10-30
ADDRESS OF WELCOME
Delivered BY Prof. Ed A. Browning at the
Recent Session of the Teachers
Institute.


Mr.. Chairman and Fellow Teachers:
lis with no small degree of pride
ana pleasure that we greet you this
morning with the tidings of welcome
and fraternal love from the people of
Oakland and the School Board. of
which l am the secretary.
On behalf of the metropolis of our
county, we extend you a most cordial
welcome and tender you the privi-
leges of our town during the week,
for the extension of your culture to
the fascination of our pride.
Sociability yields wonderful in
tluence and pride leaps to its highest
hope when witnessed by the greatest
numbers. The genius of SHAKESPEARE.
the powerof Booth, the eloquence of
Demosthenes or the fascination of
song all require an audience for IFS
best appreciation. Hence the wisdom
OF the founders of the school system
OF this and other States deem it pru-
dent that you should be annually as
sembled in County Institutes and we
again bid you welcome as members of
fraternity, welding as great an in
tluence for the maintenance of society.
for the development of wisdom, and
for the perpetuation of human gov
eminent as any that God grants grace
to the existence Of
Proudly and boldly we stand today
as the opponents of thought and the
PRONUNCIATION of principles that has
leyeled the mountains of Ignorance.
pinned back the curtains that for
centuries excluded the blessing of civ
llization and learning. But our COW
eted position In the scale of civiliza-
ton and culture has been gained only
by the ability, tact and skill and the
lncessant and unrelenting efforts of
our predecessors. From the days of
Socrates, when the plastic principles
OF education first placed its footprints
ON Grecian soil, to the present time.
the great army of educators have one
by one folded their tired hands in
the comforting embrace of a nations
gratitude
Slowly but beautifully they have
led the way, and we are now called
upon to be the standard bearers of
the flag they bore, whose letters trail
no longer in the boys of ignorance,
but proudly floats on the strong
breeze of love and learning.
Teachers, you have taken the oath
OF office; you are sharers in the honors
OF your profession and you are held
for its many responsibilities. This is
a week of opportunities for you. AS
ISOLATED with our eminent and eff
ficent State Superintendent, who is
ever ready and able to help you, to-
gether with this splendid array of
talented and experienced educators.
you cannot but be benefited bv this
weeks work. But you are not silent
factors; You have duties to perform,
duties which will measure your sue
cesses in the schools you are to teach,
duties which will measure the iusti-
tlcation OF your retention in the pro-
fession.
Once more, in conclusion. NAV we
assure you of your welcome and of
our pleasure in your presence. We
wish yOu a profitable and pleasant
week, and when you return to your
schools, go assured that no one will
be more .grleved over any misfortunes
that might retard your progress, nor
rejoice more at any brilliant achieve
ments or successes than your humble
servant and examiner. May we in
dulge in the fond hope that We are
actuated by the same kindly feeling
portrayed by the poet on the parting
of friends:
Farewell but whenever you welcome tie
hour,
That awakens the night-song of mirth N
your bower,
Then think of the friend that once welcomed
it. too,
And forgot all his griefs to be happy with
you.
HIS SIleIS may return. not a hope NAV re
main
OF the few that have frightened his pathway
of pain,
But he ne'er will forget the light that threw
Its enchantment around him while lingering
with you.
And still on that evening, when pleasures
I'LL up
To the highest top sparkled each heart and
each cup.
Where'er my path lies, be it gloomy or
bright,
My soul. happy friends will be with you that
night;
Shall join in your revels, your sports and
your wiles,
And return to me beamlng. all DER with
your smiles.
TOO blest if it tells me, that mid your gay
cheer,
Some kind heart has murmured, 81 wish he
were here"
Let fate do her worst, there are relics of Joy;
Bright dreams of the past which she cannot
destroy;
They come in the night time of sorrow and
care.
And bring back the features which joy used
to wear.
Long be my heart with such memories filed
Like the vase in which roses have once been