Year: 1878

best teacher may be supplemented and ex-


tended by the vigilance, assistance and en-
couragement of parents at home to reach
a long way in falipg child for honorable


success in life. -


1t is with exceedlng pain and regret that


l cannot hold out fiattering prospects for


the immediate future. Our General Gov
ernmcnt has indicated its purpose of being


generous to the people of Montana when


they have conquered the difficulties and


prvatiOns of Il frontier life. have developed


the wealth that nature has stored in Our
rich bottoms and still broader uplands. in


our lOdes and placers, and have opened


highways that the residents of the States


may come in and enjoy them with us. but
till then we have little to hope from the
votes OF Congressman who represent
States and Territories. All plcadings and
representations thus far have produced
nothing but the chaif of unreaized prom
ises and nothing presages the early dawn
ing Of an era when subjects will receive
the attention of Congress in proportion to
their merit. We must expect to do for
ourselves what is done at all fer the
education of the rising generation.


Taxes are already about as heavy as can
be borne without crushing industry. There
seems to no Otller resource capable of bear
ing heavier than parental interest. duty and
affection. AS God frequently causes the
foolish to contOund the wise. and the weak
to overcome the mighty, so out of our
seeming destitution of means may be null
tiplied the expedients of educating the
present generation of school children of
Montana by general effort on the part of
pa: :ents. The way of deliverance always
opens before determined will. and it is as
true in this matter OF educating children as
of any other in the world The lead of
few, thoroughly awakened, will inspire
courage and direct the exertions of the
more despondent and Indifferent until the
most isolated fragment of society will feel
the warmth of new life and contribute its
mite to push on the great work. In thus
speaking to parents to take more active
part in the education of their children we
have the utmost faith that cost of eXertiOn
however great, will be repaid many times
over. The promise that the giyer is thrice
blessed. is as true of those who give the
eXertions of their faculties and the wealth
of their affections as of those who give
bread to the starving or clOthe the naked.
The work of educating others educates
ourselves. A diligent teacher learns more
than his most diligent pupil. 1t would not
be among the least of benefit that many
parents in seekingto awaken and enkindle
the slumbering faculties OF their children
would find their own aroused to llnsus-
pected vigor and power of achievement.
Many who regarded their work in life
nearly done and their condition fixed.
would be surprised to find how much lay
neglected within their own comprehension
and power of accomplishment. Every
thing in life would wear new charm and
their latter days would be their best and
happiest days.


We all know somewhat-lw wish we knew
more of it-how rapidly the Introduction
of railroads have increased wealth. adding
value to every acre within the range of its
influence and to every product thereof, but
the creative power of Intelligence surpasses
else known or invented not only
to create wealth. but with it, to give the
power to use it to the best advantage and
highest enjoyment and with least harm.


In this matter of schools there is some
thing for every one to do. The time to
begin is nov, and the place is at home.
Work once thoroughly and earnestly be-
gun will open out into fields on every side
that can give employment to every faculty
of every living soul. IfI We're to descend
to specialties and indicate to each his par
ticular part and post in this field of exer-
ton, time and space, which have already
been trespassed on. Iwould fail utterly but |
| am sure that if can awaken DISPOSE |
ton to work generally, the opportunities
will present themselves to each as fast as
they can be improved, and as long as
strength and lite lasts.