Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-20

A NOBLE ExAMPLK.-The Corporation OF
New YOU: have under consideration plan 10
provide for the universal education OF the chill.
dren in that city, in . manner more complete
and efficient than any city 10 the world Of equal
population can DE said to enjoy.
The following de,si's will exhibit the objec,s
which her enlightened and enc ge,ic 2hilsn,hrc.
piss have in view.
ave propose, tina, Infant Schools should be
established throughout the CITY, to receive chill.
dren from three 10 six years Of age. The Sc.
paraliop OF these from older children is neces-
sary, 10 prevent disorder, aud to economist
time and labor. The instruction OF these chill
dren is peculiar; us expense is very trifing and
is much more than repaid by the great domes-
tic economy which result. from it. We need
not enlargr upon lis benefits. i, is obvious that
the recept,clrs OF these children mus: br hume
rous, and be dispersed throughout the city, and
tina, they should be under the charge OF females.
"The difficulty Of sending very young chill
dren to places Of instruction, is among the prin.
eipal obstacles which debar them from its be-
neits. The most important confederation re-
specting these schools is, that they appeal 10
parents before they have any apology, or even
IT. olive, for eping their children al home, and
that when these children are once in the way
of instruction, they are likely to be kept there.
SIN the next pIae e, we would grady enlarge
the number of schools IN which common En-.
glish education is taught. a very great ma
iorty Of the scholars viii leave these schools al
,h- age Of Is, or at an earlier period. These
schools should be provided with such means Of
lion as are best calculated 10 FIT their pu.
pii. for the various departments Of mechanic,
me rca ntile, and agricultural industry. They
should be amply provided with teachers ofpure
morals. and sound learning; with men who are
eapable Of inspiring and directing just ambi-
ton.
"Nrxt in importance 10 this object, is the es-
,ablis' ment "f one more High Schools, in
which should b. taught practical mathe
natural philosophy; bookkeeping; and, in short,
all those branches which are desirable tor the
active business of life in any Gifts departments,
the learned professions excepted,
1--WE would also recommend, il the means TO
be provided should be suffit lent for tina, pur-
pose, q Classical School. in which the ancient
and modern languages should be thoroughly
taught.
"To all these should be added, a Seminary
for the education Of at least such teachers as
are required for The common .ohuols.
"Thus we should present to the public, es-
Adjustments for education which would afford
ample and permanent encouragement TO all the
,alent Of the community, instead Of holding GU,
ssort-iised patronage, TO be wi,hdraws when
most needed-which would make that talent
public prope:,y-and which would open 10 uni
,ersaI emulation the path to all public dis
nrtions."
When we consider the public spirit and the
well drecIeG patriotism, which have always
animated the councils OF our sister Republic,
ADD her m, tropolts; the great resources Of the
city Of New York, and the conviction which
all hrr liberal and enligh,ened citizens feel that
II is only BY universal education, that The torrent
Of foreign corruption, to which her situation Sc
pecu iarly exposes her, can be turned aside or
neutralzed. We do hot doubt that me asures
for &C compIishing this great object will be
p, omp'iy aud heartily adopted.
Should tine council Of that city thus nut the
& ishing hand 10 the common School Svstem
Of hat State, New York will have created a
debt Of gratitude from the rest Of the Union, as
far surprising that, which we owe to her as The
pioneer in the career Of internal improv emen,s.
IS virrar and morals. political wisdom, and sta /.
bility, exceed the worth Of money and merchsn-
disc To the state Of Pennsylvania W. should
Say in this, as in the former, Go thea and do
likewise"