360 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EDUCATION.
that each and all of them are capable of entering every American school-
room fully equipped for the work of conducting all classes in school
gymnastics.
Our aim has been, and will ever be, to make the standard of proficiency
in our instructors so high that the possession of a diploma from our
normal school shall be a surer gnarantee of fitness for their chosen profes-
sion than any fanciful degree that has hitherto served to gain appoint-
ment for gymnastic instruction.
[n conclusion I would say, therefore, that to aid in the physical re-
generation of our race is one of the chief aims of the North American
Turner-Bund, and to have borne its full share in the labor of that reform
will have been one of its proudest achievements.
We fondly hope that the Turner-Bund will never tire in its efforts until
she glorious end has been achieved.
DISCUSSION.
Miss L. GARDE, of Providence, R. I. : The first point noticeable in the Fatherland is
‘he fact that the proper culture of the body is compulsory. The Germans in America
have the same thought. They do not lose many moments in arguing this point, but
nave put their methods into the schools of the States where they largely predominate,
because the underlying principle—the need of a trained physical being—must be estab-
ished. I am well aware not every one will agree with me when I state that we need
sompulsory laws in this country to train the body, just as we need and have such laws
for the training of the mind.
We have a large class of persons in every community in America who give no atten-
tion whatever to anything above the mere material demands of an animal existence.
The most ignorant parent among this class appreciates the worth of what he does not
possess—a common school education. While he uses all means to keep his son or
laughter at school, and impresses upon his children the great worth of understanding
the three R’s, he says nothing about the equally priceless worth of a well-trained body.
Why not educate him and his children to this knowledg~? Make, as in Germany, a
ational law enforcing daily physical exercise in our common schools: and as we grow
more quickly to the appreciation of a good thing than in the older civilizations, a notice-
able change for the better would soon be observed. lt is to the German-Americans we
owe the first step in this direction. Ohio has passed a compulsory law, and sces no
reason to regret it. Pennsylvania has another on the docket; Wisconsin has just
defeated a bill, but such matters die hard; and little Rhode Island will be the first of
the New England States to follow the lead of the North American Turners’ work.
The permanence of the work of the German-Americans is shown by the manner in
which they establish indoor and outdoor gymnasiums, as in the home country.
Father Jahn, sensible man that he was, recognized the truth that the natural child
wanted something more than the mere moving of arms, legs, and head ; that he wanted
playthings; that he used resistance, and must have objects to cultivate his powers.
And so he built places where real boys and real girls could play with each other and
with something in the never-idle hands. And though there is not that lavish expendi-
