Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-10-31
EDUCATION.
COMMON SHOOTS AND EDUCATION
IN THE UNITED STATES.

The Secretary of the American Common
School Society calculates that there are in
the u. States 100000 children between the
ages OF A and l6 years, and that 600, 900 of
the number do not enjoy the advantages Of
common school education. The number of
common schools in the United States is esti
mated at $4,000. Number of teachers in the
schools, $4,000. In the above statement Of
facts we find much to encourage us, and much
to make us sad. Compared with other ma
tons we are greatly blessed both in our
means and our improvements, and yet much
as Is done to aid in the great work of educa-
ton much remains to be done. We look up
on our Free Schools as among the very best
! of our National Blessings. The strongest
/ hopes we have for the permanency Of our
! Free Institutions rest upon the education of
the people. We ground our confidence in
Republican form of government here, and in
the intelligence of the People, we place cur
/ most ardent hopes. Virtuous action is based
upon education. Integrity of character not
less than capacity are among its good works.
Ignorance is the handmade Of vice and the
great fomenter of every other i'll. We can
trace our crimes to its effects, and mainly all
the excuses of indulgence which leads its
victims step by step, from the little, first, par
donable offence, to the last which imprisons
the criminal within the dungeon, or places
him upon the gallows. All good men, there
lore, will do all in their power, personally ard
publicly, in society and through the Legisla-
ture, to encourage this-the best system in
the land.
The Common School System of New
England has already extended to the Middle
States and will soon find its way in the Wes-
tern, South Western and Southern sections
OF the country. AS all ''noble growths are
Slow so has been for people active as ours
are, the extension of our system of education.
we have become so active in the pursuit OF
wealth that we have become in many sections
OF the country, almost Indifferent to the bles-
sing of education. We have had errors to
contend with as great as those which afflicted
the cities of old. Crates. an ancient phiIoso.
pher, was wont TO say, that if he could oct UT
to the highest place in the city, he would
make this proclamation "What mean YOU
, teilow-cltlzens, to be so anxious after wealth
but so indifferent to your children's educa
/ ton! 1t is like being soIcitous about the
shoe, but neglccting entirely the foot that is
TO wear It," But how many, to our shame
/ 9Jd our sorrow be it spoken, there are who
Ike the Chinese women pay all attention t.
The feet and neglect almost altogether the
head. In our country for long time con
test has been going on upon the Public stage
| Heels Uersus head, and the heels we are sorr,
to say have triumphed beyond dispute. &c
leste is better rewarded for her dancing thar
Combe is for his valuable lectures on philol
ogy or the best teachers and philanthropists
In the land for their services in the cause o.
Morals and Education. Surely this is not as
1T should be, and shows any thing rather thar
a practical belief in the golden maxim, thai
''Children are the hope of their county,