The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-07-06

education so well calculated to qualify them
for discharging the duties of republican citi-
zens. Secluded from those, whom fortune
had placed in lower rank in life. and put in
possession of advantages of higher character,
It could hardly fail, that the insolence Datu-
raj to wealth would be increased. And, but
Tor these institutions, the poor must remain in
a state OF vice and oppression, altogether un-
lifted to discharge the duties Of members of
free republic.
From our public schools, where the most
perfect equality must of course prevail, our
children are transferred TO our primary assem-
blies, to exercise those equal privileges guar
antied 20 them by the constitution of their
country. 1t would be difficult TO imagine two
institutions, better calculated to prepare men
Tor discharging the duties OF citizens of free
country, or to enable them TO enter upon
footing OF more perfect equality, into comPe'
tition for its honors.
The amount expended in support Of these
schools is ample, and, thoug h the law has not
been in all cases strictly complied with, yet
am satisfied, much larger sum is appropri-
ated to this purpose here, in proportion to our
population, than in Connecticut or New
York, though the manner in which il is raised
prevents the amount from being seen at once,
or introduced into the legislative reports. The
funds which they have devoted to this pur-
pose, are noble and do great credit, yet, still
the manner in which our monies for this pur-
pose are raised, is not without its advantages.
The tax being annually assessed upon all, an
interest is created i'll relation to its eXpendl-
ture, beyond what would otherwise be felt.
Both the rich aud the poor, feel greater inter-
est in securing to themselves the benefits OF the
institution, from perceiving the immediate
connection whi1 exists between the tax and
the school. More attention is paid to the
qualif ations Of the teachers, to their conven-
lent accommodation, and greater efforts are
made toprotract the schools, by the voluntary
support OF the master, and by supplying fuel,
without appropriating the public money to
| that purpose.
Legislative act, requiring the Selectmen
of the several towns in the Commonwealth
to make an annual return of the sums raised
by them for the support of public schools, with
| the numbers and ages of those who are taught
in them, would furnish a stock of information,
in the highest degree useful and interesting
10 the community. 1t would enable the Lee
gislature to determine, whether any, and what
further measures are necessary, to effect en
object which never ought to be lost sight Of
that of giving the best possible education, to
every individual of the rising generation.
An annual report, condensing and arrang-
ing this information, would be read with atten-
ton by every body, and the more this subject
is discussed and reflected upon, the deeper
will be our interest in its success. II any
towns have been so blind TO their own inter-
est, as to have appropriated less sum to this
purpose than they ought, dread OF the indig-
nation and contempt OF the community, by an
exposure Of their meanness in public report,
would operate as most powerful stimulant to
the performance of their dut. without any of
that irritation and resentment, produced by
public prosecution. And might not such
measure generate a noble spirit of emulation
among the different towns in the State, TO
distinguish themselves by their exertions to
promote so laudable an object'
t The efforts which have been made in this
town, to improve the character of the common
schools, and the success with which these
efforts have been attended, are well deserving
Of a careful consideration by you. We may,
here, see the great advantages which result
| from proper classification of the pupils, and
| from the adoption of uniform course OF study
for them. The want of sufficient numbers,
may prevent in many places the establishment
of schools of different grades, for scholars IN
different stages of their progress, but nothing
need prevent the selection and adoption OF
the very hest school-books with which our
country is furnished. There is another feature
in the system pursued here, which may be
| initiated elsewhere, and which cannot fail to
produce an important effect, wherever it is
adopted. That is, a regular examination OF
the schools at short intervals, by persons quail
fled to Judge, and deeply interested in the
progress made by the pupils. Such visits slim
ulate to exertion, both on the part of the in
structer and the scholar. The example set
| by the gentlemen of this village, in their at
tention to this subject, eptitle them to our
warmest thanks, and while we can find men
Of the most distinguished attainments in their
several professions, willing to devote their
time and attention, to devising and executing
|plans for the improvement of our common
schools, we need entertain no fears in relation
to the education Of the rising generation.
They cannot fail of being qualified to enjoy the
rich blessings Heaven has in store for them.
Grammar schools were intended, by our
forefathers, to aid young men in preparing for
college, and to enable those. who could not
afford the expense of regular classical edu-
cation, to obtain better one at home than
our common schools would afford. Every
town containing two hundred families, it was
supposed would need school of this descrip-
ton; and the duty of providing it was accord
ingly imposed. That the greatest advantages
might result from it, provision was made, that
the school should be alike open to all, that
il shonld be under the controul of the select
men, and that every child in the town, Of the
proper age and requisite qualifications, should
be entitled to participate its privileges. The
spirit in which these provisions originated, is
approved by all. If the statutes upon this
subject require any alteration, to render them
more useful in their application to the present
state of society, the subject will doubtless
receive that attention from the Legislature
which its Importance demands. 1t is our duty
to execute the laws as we find them, leaving
it to the wisdom Of others to make such al
terations therein as the cxigencies of society
may require.