The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-23

have chosen the profession OF teaching
for their life work.
The Importance OF education TO mod
ern replblic. established upon the basis
of a popular government, can hardly be
overestimatad. In monarchies. the well
fare OF the nation depends upon The
wisdom o. the ruler; IN oligarchies. upon
the wisdom OF the few who control. But
in a Democracy. upon the wisdom OF the
whole people.
We sometimes tire of a repetition Of
uninteTCstinR statements OF unquostion-
ed and universally admitted truths. but
they lose no value from that fact.
III is quite possible that few OF US ap-
preclate the remarkable changes that
are taxing place In the world. and espe-
cially In this country. Civilization In some
form "a rapidly extending 10 all portions
of the earth IL does not follow that the
desire OF a powerful civilized nation TO
absorb the territory OF a weaker uncivil-
ICED nation is dictated solely by wish
TO benefit the people OF the country so
taken But Il is almost always the fact
that the latter is materially benefited.
This does not, however, excuse such allen
rulers for neglecting TO advance the NOR
al and material interests OF such peo-
pie SO far as possible As civilized ma
tions increase their territories, the ne
cessity for all forms OF educa aon among
their people becomes more and more Inn
perative. The government or great
country like England or Russia is not
only intrusted with the welfare 90 the In
habitants OF England or Russia. but with
the future OF millions OF inferior races
whose destiny they control.
There has never been a time IN the
United States when the departments OF
education deserve so much attention and
care as at present. This country has so
developed along many lines that the well
fare OF the people OF the world, for many
generation In the future, will depend up
on the success OF our system OF govern
ment. Great social and political questions
Will press harder for their solution here
then anywhere else. We are not only re-
sponsible for ourselves but for the ad-
vance OF the whole world.
Great responsibility in always attended
with great danger. When great and
powerful nation rests with disaster, the
effects are widespread and vitally Import
ant.
can see no safeguard for the future
but i'm the advance and spread OF educn-
ton The officer who commands In ac-
tion may perform an exalted service. But
perhaps he renders no more important
service 10 his fellow than the schooi
teachers whose daily task results IN
teaching the student the power and re-
sponsibility OF citizen, OF the United
States.
You are all familiar with the desire OF
the authorities OF the state Of Rhode ISL
and TO promote education so far as pos
sible. The state works with you. Your ex-
periences and the results you accomplish
constitute the basis OF the states educa-
uonal plans. and the demonstration OF
their fulnlment. To such gatherings as
This. the state authorities look with con-
ddence for renewed encouragement and
helpful suggestion in their administra-
ton.
PROFESSOR JACOBS SPEAKS
Education Progress" was the theme
of an extremely interesting and eloquent
address by Professor Walter IL. JACOBS
of Brown university. In part, ne SAID
The past year has been red-letter
wear in the history OF education. both
at home and abroad.
.in Germany the doors OF the uni
versity have been opened to students or
a wider diversity OF preparation than ever
before. The old gymnasium, the historic
school OF Germany and the stronghold
| of the classics has raised the study OF
the English language from the position
| OF an elective TO be taken out OF the
regular school hours. 10 that OF an IN
taoral mart OF the course, allowing II 20
tsI,e the place OF Greek: thus placing
g;reek and English on the same relative
footing as Greek and German are In our
own schools
"In France, after stormy debate the
whole system Of secondary education has
been reorganized from top TO bottom In
primary education the government mas
| shown a strong hand and In the presence
~ mobs threatened rebellion has closed
the clerical school which refused 10 suo-
nit 10 its regulations.
'Henceforth. all the schools In France,
whether clerical or lay, must submit 10
the civil az orties.
England. worn out by the South Arri-
can war. threatened with the loss OF her
markets through the competition OF Ger
many. invaded by American capital, al
most I'm despair and surely I'm shame is
seeking relief In the reorganization OF ner
education. 80,
"she is still In the midst OF a doubtful
contest her hands tied by religious con-
troverses.
"our own country. during the past
wear. | believe it is fair 10 say, has rescn-
ed its majority IN matters OF educauoh'
has become p years of age. NO longer