Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-11-21

ted many useful aud scientific tracts, or
the most important subjects, among the
! numerous Inhabitants of the British Isles.
They have doubtless, done much good.
though some have said, that they have
done much evil, but in the language of
Napoleon, OH anolher occasion,
much mose remains to be done"
How can this best he accomplished J.
BY The endowment Of ofcolleges. and The es-
Establishment Of schools, no MAKER at what
cost, under Government patronage, all
| over the country.
But Ao bring tho. subject home TO US,
when we look over the bread face OF our
own country, what do we behold! Are
| tho classical institutions and 'rhe grammar
schools of the Uuited States, superior Il"
thnse of Great Britain! We believe mol.
There are among us, it musl'be acknowl-
edged. many gentlemen ofr"spectable lite
rary allainments. aud high moral worth,
following the profession OF teachers, But
what are .thescao the number Of lh0se.w no
are entirely incompetent. and are calcu-
laIed neither mentally. nor morally,
"'ro teach the yousg idea how 10 shoot"
When we take into consideration, our
! vas, and increasing population, IL strikes
us forcibly, that we have not sufficient
number Of teachers of any sort. 1t is Id
nenrable to think that there are million
of children, and thousands of older persons,
wirlinut The means ,f education. These
immortal minds are literally, star,.. for
The wan, ofthe bread Of knowledge. Can
noiking he done for them! Congress can
do something. The State Governments
can do much. individuals can dc more.
A portion Of the money which.is now
expended throughout the States, upon in
ternaI improvement, and the increase OF
mere possessions, could be devoted to The
erea, cause of education. Every Legisla-
lure should raise as large fund'as can he
conveniently dune, ,and apply it to this pur-
pose. There is talent enough, and houes-
~ enough, among US, to attend 10 the pro.
per application Of this fund. A mere pit
tdnce, such as is now sIvenhy ulany Leg.
islatures, for The instruction of the people,
is almost useless. Proper teachers eau
seldom be procured, unless they are well
paid. lfi,be desirable to give the poorer
classes, thorough instruction, men of abil-
iry must be obtained as instructors, and
these should be amply. remuneraird. IF
full compensation be given to teachers.
their profession will be elevated. 4 lar
ger number Of our ahIest and hes, men,,
will then devote themselves to. lhe train
ing of our youth. They will follow II ',r.
ciusireiy, as business. Every one must
have observed, that few Of our educated men
pursue he profession of teaching, for any
length of time. They follow other profes.
sions, which more quickly obtain for 'hrm
fame, and fortune. !. This should not be s".
There is no profession more honorable
and responsible than that ofan instructor
of youth. None demands greater sacrifi.
ces. or warmer zeal.
1T is a sign ofbarbarlsm in any country.
where the profession ofleachins ia held in
low estimation. In The early ages of the
Roman Republic, before the light of know
ledge dawned upon it, teachers were but
litrle regarded. When the Greek Piloso-
pliers, Carneades, Diogencs, andCritolaus.
came on an Embassy to Rome. that Stern
old patriot, the elder Cato attempted 10
shorten their stay, and 10 drive them from,
the Roman borders. In the spirit ofig.
norance, and mistaken patriotism, he was
fearful that the learning which these phi
losophers, were abaut to introduce, would.
corrupt and suften the martial spirit of the
EO1thdU ytluiH. IL man NdS wi
uolhiug but blood-lhirsty soldier, he was
right.
After the capture Of Carthage. and the
sn!iection Of Greece, to the Ronan pow
er, learning was duly honored. The
Greeks taught oratory and poetry, ard as
has been beautifully said, ..the vanGuished
became th' mselves the v:ctors."
Education now made great prosress,a and
was shortly universal, at least among the
Patricians. As time advanced, Piofes-
sors aud instructors, became more and
more irnpor'aur.and finally attained 10 the
highest dign.ies Of the state. In our day.
in our own republic. shall We no, pay as
high honors TO learning, and ins'rnctors,
as did the old Romans? They lived in a