The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-06-03

IoSif4SC- dlul0 huQ MISUNDERSTANDING
lamopg pupils are always to be taken
| Quoted schools or of defective teach
ling or of lack of leadership in the
spirit of the work.
The people of oskaloosa who were
my cUlaborers in l873-1SS6 We're genu-
inc colaborers. They were in earnest
regarding the education OF their chill
dren. They were in the work for the
best good that was obtainable by the
teachers and themselves combined
and nothing less than the best good
appealed to them. 1t was my practice
to make a visit to every home when
ever the needs of the work required
| 1t. This added quite a lot OF the du-
ties Of supervision, but nothing short
of personal contact would have secur-
ed the conditions necessary to attain
the personal results that were needed.
In this way, | was a visitor in every
home, l knew personally every man
and woman who were patrons of the
schools and they had reason to know
that my object as an executive officer
was sincere and that my requests for
cooperation were genuine. They ap-
preciated this relationship with the
management of the schools and they
gave me their unstinted help in re-
moving every possible difficulty that
hindered the progress of the training
Of their children. They were my
friends in every good sense and they
gave me an abundant reason for do
ing my best work through their evil
dent appreciation and their good will.
Those years were not all prosperous
for this community. There came per.
nd, xsh it11o har 81 ON
scarce and when the expenses of the
schools required sacrifice and econ
omy from all taxpayers, yet In no
year &C depression was anything done
to depreciate the seryiceableness Of
the schools or the Importance of the
standards adopted. The moral and
religious atmosphere In this commun-
ity was very remarkable, when it is
remembered what cosmopolitan
people were its inhabitants. At one
time the mixture of races and nations
reached such state Of division that
ten different languages We're able to
be heard on a single public school
playground. Despite these opportuni-
ties for disorder and for lack of re-
spect for Others rights and needs,
peace reigned, controversies we're few
and sympathy for the right prevailed.
The progress of these years from
1873 to 1915 has brought many COM
mendable developments to the city of
Oskaloosa. The one-story frame
buildings of 1873 that were in the bus
mess district and were even around
the public square have all been re-
placed by creditable structures OF
more permanent material. The old
wooden sidewalks and dirt streets of
those days have all given way to the
requirements of better things. The
old individual methods of conducting
business have been changed to con-
form to the spirit of the times and
optimism and progress have come as
the fruits Of cooperation and conf
dence. The churches, the lodges, the
colleges and schools, the homes and
the business house, the banks and the
other corporations have reached such
status that the Oskaloosa of today
can be as much pleased with her pres
ent condition. as she ought to be with
1t is the soldiers of the common
good that make a people great and
capable. 1t is the patriotism Of the
common man for his home, his town
and his country that develops an ef-
fectiVe civilization. 1t is the sacrifice
Of human selfishness and personal ad-
yancement for the welfare Of all that
endows institutions and gives spirit to
real progress. AS the men of 81 to
IS gave all they had for their coun-
trys life and future, so the men of
1915 must give character and service
and self that a greater civilization
may be born and a greater opportun-
ity come to the generations yet I'M
born. What is property or money or
power or capability If it Is not used
FOR the uplift and the Improvement OF
humanity! 1t Is for these endless
benefits thta the gospel Of Jesus Is
preached, that church organizations
are supported, that clean civil govern
ment is defended and that education
in all its variations and extensions
fostered and encouraged. It Is for
these great ends that high schools
are conducted, libraries are maintain
ed and intelligence is approved and
commended. 1t is to secure these re-
markable conditions that organized
society is active and that literary and
scientific requirements are honored.
Civilization builds better than 1t is
known at the time when it stands for
righteousness, freedom from tempta-
ton, integrity of personality. and cap
ability Of training the young.
The old motto of the Oskaloosa high
school, always used on every public
occasion from 1873 to 1886, was ''The
End Growing the Work, Finis Coronat
Opus, noble sentiment to keep be-
fore the pupils and the graduates as a
permanent conclusion for all coming
personal experience. doubt not but
that this motto has been the keynote
70 the continual endeavor OF the ma
jority of those who worked under the
inspiration of the truth that 1t reg
istered. 1t has always been to me the
statement of an inspiration that sug-
gested honesty, sobriety, manliness.
womanliness, virtue, character, serv-
iceableness to humanity as the ends
of life and the elimination of effort.
What great thing 1t is to be identi-
fed with the permanent, the noble.
the grand and the great! What a ma
jestic result is well rounded person
atty! What superior state to reach
as an individual In order to have tho
love and the esteem of the citizens Uf
the community where service is rem.
dered! What a glory must be &C