Year: 1876

may be laid in the public school, the
germs Of mans estheiic nature may be
unfolded there. The eye may be culti-
waited TO see things and forms Of beauty.
the soul TO appreciate them. and the
hand to produce them. This IL partly
secured by that system OF free hand
drawing that Is so rapidly becoming uni.
versal But free hand drawing is not
sufficient The architect and the me
chanic. use the scale for lines and dis
tances, and we neglect one essential part
Of practical education when we stubborn.
ly refuse the use OF instruments in
school. II IL Is an accomplishment TO be
able, with the eye. 10 estimate with great
accuracy, the length Of line. IL would
certainly be regarded as q very great de-
feet not to be able to determine il accu-
rately with scale.


The great master builder used the
square and compass when the iounda-
tions Of the temple were laid, and every
stone was prepared in the quarry with
instruments. The dome Of ST. Peters
was projected by one who could use in
struments with hands almost divine and
why should we IN our laudable earnest
ness in the work Of free hand drawing
reject the necessary complement Of IL.
We may not introduce extensive systems
Of mechanical drawing into our common
schools, but we can do so much as 10 do
velop a taste and talent in this direction.
and all over our land from sea 10 sea the
temples Of grandeur, the dwellings Of
magnifiicence and homes Of beauty shall
tell its utility. Artists, artisans, men in
every department OF skilled labor shall
work with a more cunning hand.


nr0N = ~ ~ ~
edge which the State must ever regard a.
Of paramount importance. and that IL a
knowledge Of itself No man is prepared
to perform the functions Of a citizen till
he understands the nature OF the State.
And the value OF this knowledge can
scarcely be estimated in a republican
State. Party tactics and party strife are
contemplate. and we should learn aud
feel that party leaders simply as men, no
matter what may be their personal merit,
or the kind OF service rendered, whether
they have commanded armies or news.
papers are entitled 10 no political consid.
Grafton. We should learn that the great
people in this land have but one interest
in common, and that IL any party shall
pull down the pillars Of the State, the
whole fabric shall fall upon their own
blind heads and grind them 10 powder.
Such is the genius Of the republican
State that the man who casts a wicked
vote. himself shall share the evil done
the legislator who shall enact an unright-
eous law to-day. tomorrow shall stand
among the people aud feel the full force
of the mischievous enginory that he has
set in motion.


Now all these are simple principles.
easy TO be understood, and they may DO
instilled into the minds Of children. un.
I'll correct habits Of political thinking are
established. Then may we have an
American citizen whom party harness
and party shackles shall not be able 10
bind


Our work then, fellow teachers, l. not
simply and alone 10 impart a knowledge
OF the facts and. principles contained in
our text books. This is but the tithing
Of mint and annis and commin; and do
we stop here, We neglect the weightor
matters Of the law, justice. mercy, and
truth. We must use those facts and
principles, and all other agencies under
our control to polish aud refine the soul,
to beautify and adorn the body. 10 make
men and women Of character. who like
the old Roman can no more be driven
from n course OF rectitude, than the sun
can be turned from his path In the
heavens; men who can be trusted in the
mine, in the counting house, at the head
Of the treasury, or in the chair Of State.
Men that can plan and dare and do all
those great works which the situation
and circumstances Of the nation. and the
infrmitics and activities Of the times
seem to demand.