After severing his connection with the State Board of Education, Mr. Mann served in Congress from 1848 to 1853, and was defeated in his candidacy for governor of Massachusetts. At the age of fifty-six he accepted the presidency of Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, a position which he held until his death in 1859. He closed his last address to the graduating class at Antioch with these noble words: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." He himself had won many great victories for humanity,—in the improvement of the common school systems of his native country; in the establishment of free schools; in the founding of normal schools where teachers might be trained; in the adoption of milder means of discipline; in the improvement of schoolhouses; in the better support of schools; in better methods of instruction; and in the inspiration he gave to teachers for all time. Therefore he at least had no need to be "ashamed to die."
FOOTNOTES:
[164] Educational Review, Vol. XII, p. 65.
[165] Mrs. Mann, "Life of Horace Mann," p. 10.
[166] Mr. Mann completed the term made vacant by the death of John Quincy Adams, and was reëlected for the two succeeding terms.
[167] Colonel Parker in article cited.
[168] For an analysis of these Reports, see Dr. Harris's article in Educational Review, Vol. XII, p. 112.
[169] "Education in Massachusetts," p. 174.
[170] "Horace Mann," p. 76.