Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-09-01
For the Richmond Pail. dunn.

For the Richmond Palladium hi
MEssRs EDITORS: II have been induced by fe
the growing prospects of our town, as well as its
growing wants to offer few suggestions on the s,
subject of HIGH School or ACADEMY do not
recollect that this thing has ever been offer I,
ed through your paper for public consideration in
the manner which shall now present it; and E. D
ven though it should have been done without re- 4
ceiving that attention which the importance Of the L
merits, l shall not be deferred from again c
presenting it. need hardly speak to the intelli-
gent citizens of Richmond and vicinity the i,
importance Of education in the higher branches; =
it would be an insult to their understandings, for
Of the great practical utility of it every one is al
ready deeply impressed, and for its advancement, ;
every lover of his kindred and country already
feels deeply solicitous.
Taking it for granted then, that feel the
necessity of doing something more than we have
yet done the cause Of education in this borough 4
and neighborhood (for wish it distinctly to be un-
dcrstood that the neighbouring country is as much
interested in this matter the town itself, ana
will be much prolited by it should the plan ,
succeed) we should ask ourselves these questions: /
whether exertons have been great as they !
should have been in its behalf, and whether such I
excrtions have been directed in a way most like
Iy to advance the engaged in? To
answer these properly we must review the pres
ent condition of primary schools; the abili-
ties Of our citizens relates to pecuniary mat
,ers and the condition Of other towns similarly
circums tanced
= Public spirit too must be taken into the account,
for without laudabe degree of this in commu
. ni.y, nothing Of public nature prosper.
What then is the condition of our primary schools,
> and how they supported?
receive here the same answer that experience
> has ever given in every section Of our country,
- viz: they prosperous and numerous
> the nature of the case will admit of, and receive
perhaps generous support under the
: circumstances they do in any other place; but in
the necessary blending of classes Just beginning
> their rudi.neps with those entering upon the
higher branches of learning, the very intention
of the primary school is by this double aim defeat,
: ed. 1t is not in the power of one man TO divide
y smental powers to serve the wants Of every
" different class, without in measure destroy
"' ing his ability instruct either TO the hes, ad-
vantage. This is sirikingly verified in the Prus-
- sian system of instruction, now considered the
most perfect in the world; and il is tho expe-
r. rience of the ablest teachers in our country.
1t those who would be likely to become scholars in
" an institution devoted to the higher branches of
s. learning, but that tho number would be greatly
-. augmented by individuals from distant places there
20 can be doubt; enough in all question furn-
l. ish good and sufficient salaries to tho Teachers
,v who might be employed in the Institution. This
re thing very essential to be understood, that
90 unless citizens show spirit of zeal and
,c hberality in furnishing the necessary building,
A. they procure Teachers in every way
~, competen, TO the discharge Of the high trust that is
necessarily imposed upon them. Our ability to fur
n, nsh suitable building is already manifest in the
~ rapid improvement which we witness in every
,e part of our town and neishborhood. Are men a.
= Bile TO cxpend thousands in erecting dwellings and
r. business houses, and in constructing for
TO commerce, and yet UNWILLING to go little fur
of Their that their may be educated? Do thew
ed wish to them clothed in the sEMBLANcE oil
at wealth, while the mind is unmprovcd and they
H. are left to feel the keenesi of all povertv-a por
IN tionless intellect? Every thing forbids the suppo
al sition that such thing could be-
of am not furnished with the data to draw par
" allel between this and other places of the same
,r where much more has been done for education
but no doubt every one can recur to some place
no
r. for himself II, however, can find in the IVes
IT. none that have gone to greater lengths than We
lis let us acquire the greater merit and a. pro-
to coed to set them example which in time, al
nd will be proud to follow.
" The question is asked, is there public spirit e.
IT. nough in citizens to undertake the build
j. ing of suitable house? | pass this question 81
ilcn:iy by till present view of the case tina
ID rarely fails awaken the spirit Of the dor
Y, mant, and in doing PROFOUND 10 the lukewaru
a this question: Should expend sufficient sun
" in erecting house and ornamentng It's grounds.
lie IN Ike il both an object of beauty and utility
st would tho property generally in the neighbor
8: hood be raised in value? And would not our towr
s. and negnborhood then generally be raised in val
al by presenting one more induccment to draw te
o. it men of wealth, enterprise and intelligence?
ne Most assuredly tiiis would be the case snd up