Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-11-03
01st Annual Convention Of 0s
Association Began Thurs.
day.
TOO AT OPENING SESSION
Words Of Welcome and Response
Followed by Addrsssss By
Pennsylvania Supsrintsn.
dent and n. Y. Rabbi.

Wisdom Is the principal thing,
therefore get wisdom and with
all thy gottins get understanding.
Proverbs, ~, VII.
An sxpectant hush fell over the as
scmbly at the Burlington high school
building Thursday afternoon M these
words, marking the opening exercises
Of tho elst annual convention Of tho
Vermont state Teachers association
woro pronounced by tho Rev. G. v.
Grismer. pastor Of tho Methodist
Church.
Fully 700 visiting teachers from all
parts Of the state were present when
the opening session began. the assem-
bly, hall being crowded.
Promptly at l:30 o'clock tho bell
calling tho session TO order sounded,
and the chairman ana speakers took
their plaoes on the platform. The
presiding officer was Principal Ernest
@. Ham, president Of tho Randolph
high school.
Following the devotional exercises.
a violin obligato was rendered by Dee
Penney. accompanied by Guy N. Hull.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Tho address Of welcome was deliv-
ered by ]. l. Southwick, president Of
tho Burlington Commercial club. Mr..
southwick. in opening his remarks,
said It was a real pleasure to welcome
the teachers to Burlington. No body
of workers. he said. were more well
come nor more sure of an enthusiastic
reception.
Mr. Southwtck called attention to
the facilities that Burlington offers
for visitors and mentioned that next
summer the teachers would find In the
Queen City summer school, where
| they may take up a course in arts and
sciences, languages music and domes-
tic science II they so desire The speak
or welcomed the teachers as a former
tea cher himself and as a member OF
the press. He said that no teacher
who is faithful can be paid In money
alone. The mere money. he said
should not be the end and aim OF sue
cessful teachers. but they should real
lie their power for good in the COM
munity and make the profession one
that stands out by itself There are
four factors that stand for the educa
ton Of our youth, said the speaker
the school. tho homo, the pulpit ans
the press.
In conclusion, Mr.. Southwick said:
| las have looked out over this assem-
blage, representing tho 1000 school teach
ers Of Vermont l have been impressed q
| never before by the tremendous powe
for good you hold in your hands as
body. DO you fully realize that you ar
moulding the manhood and womanhoo'
Of the next generation? You are shap
ing more than you may ever know tn
future governors and legislators an
Judges Of our state. You are even fash
Joining your own suceessors as teacher
and 30 you will psrpetuate your inhu
ence upon the destiny Of our State In tn
coming ages.
The decadence of Vermont and othe
rural States has been theme of discus
sion In connection with the census re
turns. Our State is still going forward
but you teachers have It in your power t
do much to stop the migratory movement
which Is sapping the lifeblood Of GU
commonwealth.
Teach your pupils that Vermont Is
GOOD State in which to live. Teach ther
that II wealth or fame 10 their goal. bot
are to be won here In Vermont Teac
them that Vermont has as grand me
and Is noble women a. any State. Teac
them that Vermont's statesmen and dill
: lomats and inventors and artists and a.
thors and military and naval heroes has
given her a proud place In the galaxy
States. Teach them that many sons ar
daughters Of Vermont who have EoI
: out into other parts of our broad lar
are being lured back by tho hauntir
memories Of childhood TO enjoy their d
5 clin!ng years In tho old homo. Tent
D them that men satiatsd with suoce
3 elsewhere a. captains OF industry and
5 heads Of great corporations are makii
4 a dwelling place within Vsrmont's Dor
= srs to feast upon the sver-chsngtng bea
Q ties of our valleys and the grandeur
our everlasting hills.
n Finally. I welcome you not only az /
Il structors Of the future Vermont b
Z. also as part Of that grand army OF teac
a ers of the United States. hvs hundr
{. thousand strong, who are helping to ba
t tie against the waves OF ignorance al
D superstit!on and irreiigton and anarcl
r which are sweeping in upon us from Il
10 old world-an army whose patriotic ser
ID ice for our American youth must
,e now and ever. the hope Of our free ms
II tutions and the bulwark Of our loved r
L. public"
THE RESPONSE.
Il, Principal Ernest G. Ham responded
>. Mr. thwick's remarks In a few W
chosen words. In opening his adore
m Mr.. Ham stated that he had implor
4. the executive committee to leave him O
se OF the program as a speaker. This
Sc said they had refused to do. He begg
al the indulgence of the audience bscsu
no OF his voice, which was not in good &C
ar | dition.
L. Tho subject Of Principal Hams g
dress was Democracy and Educate
m. Some Present Combinations" 7
or speaker referred to the significance
m. education In a country which has DEN
cratic form Of government and what q
cation has meant to the peoples govern
by monarchy or by an aristoorsuc 10
o' OF government.
With the onward movement Tow,
u greater freedom. said tho speaker
need for general and individual eo"o~'
y to safeguard and guarantees the pro-
use Of this freedom has been osoo'"
90 more and more apparent.
Il wish briefly to invite your st's
III ton to two great educatio"a! p'o"'e
that now confront W. ana tns'' III
Judgment, are the most imports