The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-03-03
EDTCATIoN.
From the Lancaster Journal.
THE SCHOOL-MASTER.

THE SCHOOL-MASTER.
The vocation of the SchooI-master, has
been less appreciated, and most lily requit-
ted of all others. He has been looked up
on by the greater part of society as se-
condary being, disqualified for any other
pursuit, consequently only qualified to
"keep school''--hence it is obvious why
education languishes and so little impor-
tance attaches to the common schools in our
beloved state. Our citizens have been in
tentupou getting rich; their affections have
been welded to the world by the lust of
unholy Mammon. The school has beer
neglected, OF what is tcOrSe, been occupied
by some stupid, debauched veteran of rum.
corresponding in his character, to the esti-
nation set on the knights of the "Birch''
by his employers. say II, with mingled
feelings of regret and indignation, that our
farmers IN particular, have been more ca
gerly bent upon the attainment of fine hor-
ses and fat cattle, than upon the culture of
the minds of their children. The poor
school-master, and the rich farmers child
have been in appositIon-both secondary
concerns. One, because lie can do nothing
else, the latter because he has no ,Cork to
do:-thus as If to Gil up natural vacuum,
he is sent to school during the winter
months; and by reason of his home educa-
ton, he thinks it a duty while at school, to
treat his teacher superciliously and contemp-
Ituously; to regard him as a servile depen-
dant upon the bounty his parents, and a
ftsublect for the SCOTS and jeers of noisy
urchins. Let the history of our common
schools be a sufficient voucher.
At present, when simultaneous effort
is being made by the wise and good, to ell
evate the character of our schools, the Pc
cuniary remuneration of teachers falls so fer
short Of competent salary, that fcac of
those who are qualified will embark in the
cause. No young man of good parts, will
for one moment think of devoting his life to
teaching. With salary of $50 or $25
per month, young man can hardly subsst
Where then are there any inducements to
urge him to perform the duties of one of the
highest offices! None, unless it be dis
interested love for the character of his fell
lows. The road TO eminence and distinc-
ton invites him through other professions
and fel0 viii be found willing to immediate
themselves on the altar of nations neglect
He sees, and wisely sees that his Iabours of
love will not be appreciated, and that for the
wear of his constitution. he will receive no
remuneration, and finally when his health
is broken down by close application, he will
be turned ont upon the commons--to die
or end his days in poor-house, subsisting
on the forced bounty of the community.
Have parents and guardians viewed this
subjec seriously! | trust not. cannot be-
lieve they possess so little interest in the
moral and intellectual training of their i'm
mortal charges, No! whitening indih'er-
ence, negligent disposition has settled up
on them. They reflect not upon the awful
responsibility that rests upon them, relative
to this matter. In this wealth seeking age,
an incubus presides-the cursed love of
pelf, vibrates on every heart-strng. They
ingloriously fall down at the foot of Nam
mon, their VOWS are paid, and at this shrine
every duty is forgotten.
Wide, deep, and desolating are the ha-
yocks made upon the principles of our 60
vernment, by cunning and designing dema-
gouges, who lead the great mass--who are
blinded by ignorance and led captive by oily
tongued politicians, and who shout Amen!
to all their designs. Ifliberty ever finds a
grave In the land of her Washington---If
anarchy is ever rocked in the same bed
where freedom FIRST drawned, twill be be-.
cause the people,the whole people, were ig-
norant and uninformed