The log cabin Democrat., 1916-06-01
NORMAL SCHOOL
 ENDS 9TH SESSION
DIPLOMAS AWARDED lO2I
Pres. J. W. Brister Delivers Inspir- ing Address to Graduates on
 Subject of Democracy.


 With the inspiration of an unusual ly brilliant address by President ]. W. Brister of the West Tennessee State Normal at Memphis and a prac- tical but eloquent talk by B. W. Tor reyson, secretary of the board of trustees, Fl young men and women of the senior class of the Arkansas State Normal School were today awarded diplomas conferring upon them the degree of licentiate of in struction. Nine other members of the class, it was announced, would complete the work required for the degree during the summer term and would then receive the diplomas which the trustees and faculty had al ready voted to award to them. The graduating exercises were unusually delightful, the only circumstance to mar the pleasure of the occasion be- ing the indisposition of President J. J. Doyne, who has been so weakened
 
 that it was only with great effort that he was able to attend the exer- cises. On this account Prof. C. C. Denney conducted the exercises and made the announcements for the president.
 To open the program an enjoyable selection was given by the Normal girls chorus, following which an ia- vocation was given by Rev. F. N. Brewer of DeQueen, father of two girls in the graduating class. The class oration, thoughtful and elo- quent address on the subject of "The Spirit of the Teacher" was delivered by Lod GoZa.
 Following a beautiful vocal duet by Misses Ida Bachman and Thelma Martin, President Brister was intro duced. He provoked a laugh when he said the commencement orator, like the bridegroom at wedding, had grown to be necessary evil. The growth of democracy in the state, the church, the home and the school, with some observations upon it's present day wide extension, was the subject of Mr. Brister's address.
 The development of democracy in the state, he said. was to be seen in the extension of the electorate, the growth of such principles as the re- call, the custer and the initiative and referendu mand in the constantly in creasing power of public sentiment, which influences the judiciary, long held aloof from the sway of the peo- pie. Theoretically" said the speak CT, "our government is democratic, with a single exception. No sane person who has studied the princi- pies of government can escape the conclusion that there is no reason in law, history or justice for depriving women of the right of participating in the government" This statement was enthusiastically applauded.
 The tendency toward democratiza- tion is also seen in the church, Presi- dent Brister said, especially in the increasing power and influence of the laity, tendency which is welcomed instead of opposed by the clergy. Yet we run up against this same anomaly in the church, and we see high church councils solemnly for bidding women to take active part in it's affairs" He spoke of the gen uine sensation caused by a woman for the first time in it's history speak ing from the floor of the Southern Baptist convention, recently held in Asheville, N. c.
 The home, too, is growing more democratic, the speaker said, stern ness and sever corporal punishment giving away to less harsh discipline. The state is beginning to assert it. self in the control of the child, as is seen in the passage of child labor laws, compulsory school laws and other modern legislation relating to matters formerly left entirely to the will of the parent.
 In the schools and school govern ment, democracy is rapidly establish ing itself, President Brister declared. The theory of enforcing blind cbedi- ence to the teacher. or breaking down the child's will and of rigorous dis cipline, he said, is being supplanted by the idea of developing the pupils personality and of encouraging and enlarging his latent powers and pos abilities. The primacy of the child, the idea that the child's welfare is the first essential, now governs in school administration, he said. This calls for trained teachers, men and women who can intelligently deal with the varied minds and in- stincts which come under their in struction. It also calls for such mod ifications in the curricula as will ad- just them to meet modern needs and