St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-10-23
Teachers in Session.
Annual Gathering of the Vermont State
Teachers Association at Burlington.

Annual Gathering of the Vermont State
Teachers Association at Burlington.
The 58th annual gathering of the Yer.
| mont State Teachers Association was
held in Burlington, Thursday and Fri
day, and was attended by nearly HOO
teachers, fully 300 more than ever at
tended similar gathering in the state.
It may be said that the increased at
tendance is due to three cause.-the
splendid list of speakers engaged, the in
fuence of the district superintendent in
urging their teachers to attend, and the
general impetus of the movement for
better schools which now prevails
throughout the state. Throughout the
sessions the strongest emphasis was laid
upon the necessity of the teacher work
ing for the individual development of
every pupil. The star attractions from
abroad included Commander Peary's
lecture, Prof William L. Phelps of Yale,
Miss Margaret Slattery of the Fitchburg
Normal School, DR.. Luther H. Quick
and A. W. Edison of the New York city
schools, and Miss Ada Van Stone Harris
of Rochester, N. Y.
Mayor Bigelow cordially welcomed
the organization to Burlington Thurs
day morning, and he was followed by
President c. H. Dempsey, who gracefully
responded. He then gave the annual
address on "The System and the In
dividual." Mr.. Dempsey spoke in sub
stance as follows
TO even the casual reader of current
history, it is evident that the conditions
of American social life have undergone,
and are still experiencing, a revolutionary
transformation. An intricate and com
pick civilization has taken the place of
the old individualism characteristic of
the pioneer days. The power of the in
dividual is great, to be sure, but it is
often largely exerted through some care
fully elaborated system.
To a large extent we are no longer a
nation of individuals, in the sense of the
early days, but nation of systems.
Our schools, among other things, are
ranked according to the perfection of
their system. / do not wish to be under
stood as decrying this great movement,
however. The change has been in
evitable, and in spite of gross abuse it
has produced results of incalculable ben
etlt to humanity, by developing the
efficiency OF industries, our government
and various philanthropic enterprises.
1t is fact full of import, though, that
our progress and character of education
has not kept pace with our industrial
and social evolution. do not fear any,
one taking issue with me when | make
the statement that while our schools are
busy training the intellect, to some ex-
tent the hands and body, and to slight
extent the character, they are not ade-
quately developing the boys and girls as
social beings with social duties.
But leaving the roll of the critic, can
we gam clear conception of the prin-
clples that should underlie the organiza-
ton OF society-call it system or what
you will-gauge the demands that pres.
ent-day conditions make upon the indi-
viduals, and determine the mutual rela-
lions OF the system and the individual =?
II SO, we can readily perceive the civic
junction and work of the schools and
the aims to be sought.
First, the standards of system must
be as high as those demanded by indi-
viduals.
Second, no system may endanger, either
wilfully, or by neglect, the life, liberty
nor happiness of the individual.
Third, every system should be, not the
master, but the servant of the individual.
Fourth, our political and industrial
lite must be freed from the baneful in.
huence and control of systems.
Fifth, responsibility for abuses and
lawlessness must rest, not upon the cor
poration as such and its property. but
upon the individuals comprising the cor
poration.
sixth, any system is but the aggregate
efforts OF group of individuals who are |
jointly and severally responsible for the
acts and policies of the system as a
whole.
The new individual must be ;mbred
with stronger spirit of love for his
fellowmen, and must possess a greater
devotion to civic duties. 1.-THE core OIL
democracy is service, and the good citi.
zen is he who is socially serviceable."
It's thought full of encouragement
ior us that in the development and train.
ing OF the new individual we are also
rendering the most effective service for
Improvement of society.
The junction of the school in this con-
nection is obvious. 1t is the training of
the individual for his work in society,
Whether we are supervisors, teachers or
oLIGlais, we must not content ourselves
W.T. WIN the elaboration of courses of study.
tee grading OF schools, the Improvement
OF the intellectual standing of the pupils,