The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-08-19
COMBy. >sICATION.
EDuCATION-No &

6DONhAAO4f-lsC. ..
Having placed before the public, agFeeably
10 our contemplation 10 the ouset, in the former
numbers, plain, and we believe, true represen-
tatlon OF our system of schools, in an uncoloured
light the disadvantages which always attend
TINS system, and particularly when school is
very large, and has more than its share Of riotous
ana turbulent pupils the perplexity the mas
ter mas to encounter in conveying even the most
TRIVIAL instruction +; and the sad consequences
arising from his thus being perpIexed and irrita-
ted And having, also, partially presented the
Lancasterian System, "-we come now, in req
ular synthetic order, to the application of the
subject to the feelings of Parents. Guardians. q
az others concerned in the education of eur
rising youth. 1t is for us now to state the mo-
tive, the chief and only motive we had IN view
when we undertook the publication of these
essays And we have also to offer our reason
for not before noticing, 10 a more thorough man
ner those who appear to profess an attachment
LOT me other side of the question; and we can
do this in few words
Long before this should we have answered
those who have openly opposed us, had it been in
regular order but we were unwilling to connect
controversy with the explaining numbers. In
TINS number, we shall, however. show the vast
contrasting difference between the testimony
exhlolted by "Veritas" to prove the vague asser-
uoHs ne has made, and some extracts from the
GenlohstratIve testimony and illustrating evil
oence, winch we are possessed of We remark
Gu on former occasion, that we were not
anxious to enter into any discussing controversy,
excepting II was to support and prove the facts
oy US advanced And we would again re-state
TINS as our firm and distinct intention. But. we
appear to be compelled, as it were. 10 SLIGHTLY
touch Vertas," in this SEDUCTIVE can only
take glance at bis remarks. however. owing "a
odasT poi@'s promisSe IA this ama.oer. ana Wi,at
Ioliowsln regular order,--Reserying to ourselves
the privilege. at some future time, Of answering
MIN more EXPLICITLY, should it be found neces-
sary.
we are first, then, to yindicate our own in
tentIons with regard to what is contained in the
preceding numbers, relating to our public
schools"
In going through with the descriptions of these
schools, we did not aim or intend to derorate
from the character of instructors, or TO deride
the iaoors OF the school committee, as appears to
nave been the impression of some. As far dis
tant as Is the east from the west, were thoughts
or intentions like these from our bosoms. On
tne contrary, we firmly believed, and still be-
heve, that the instructors, as well as all others
IoDneclee ID The management and superinten-
dence OF our Public Schools" as far as the ma
lure OF the present organization will admit, have
used their best endeavors, nay their unwearied
exer'lons to promote and facilitate the rapid ad-
vancement of our youth 10 their education. But
the fault is not in the men !; the source from
whence the difficulty arises is the SYSTEM. This
acdnts improvement. AID, as a remedy we have
pointed ont the Lancasterian Svstemn-have
attempted to show, in a concise manner. some of
itsgeneral outlines. Not half has been said in
lts favor that we could say-but the circumscri-
ped limits IN which we have moved, prevented us
from entering more explicitly and largely into
the subject. What we have said. therefore.
shoud be received with double induIgence-the
more favorable construction should be put upon
the assertions made, considering they are not
IortDed by illustrating observations NOTHING
mas been advanced relative to this system, but
what truth will strictly justify and no position,
assumed, put on examination, will be found sub
stantIaliy correct 10 presenting it to our fell
io"-cltlzens, we were anxious that every person
shoulo nave an opportunity of forming an opin-
ion for himself whether favorable or unfayora-
Leland it has therefore, been our endeavor
throughout, to give true account of it. in a
plain and simple style.
knowing the Importance Of the subject upon
winch we write, not spark Of philanthropy
would be the inmate of our breast, and we should
be worse than inhuman did we attempt to DOR
tray faisehoods, calculated either directly or in
directly to lead our fellow citizens astray. But
our conscientious belief is that we have pursued
truths strait road" with regard to this subject
that our assertions arc not of character to
give an unfair impression towards it. This need
not rest upon our bare say-so alone. Let eyrey
one who has an opportunity examine this system
for himself, in order to obtain correct informa.
ton, and satisfy himself of the propriety or i'm.
property OF these attempts at Improvement. To
have this system investigated was and still is. orr
earnest desire-for we we're, and now are. con-
hdent, that should it receive thorough and an
impartial investigation, by some philanthropist.
possessed OF generous and feeling heart. that
ever expands for the dearest and vital interests
OF our youth; who would avow their cause. and
plead, with himself in their behalf, as tho asir
interests were has interests, we are confident we
say, that it would receive his decided approba-
uon that, being well convinced of its practical
influence over the minds and morals of our youth.