The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-09
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
New York Feb 5th 1899

NEW 1 DIRK, feo. DIN, lco9
DEAR Sin: In the last number Of your paper, was
pleased to see an able communication on the subject
OF the j" Smithsonian Institution for the diffusion
OF knowledge among mankind" With many of
the suggestions made by your correspondent heani
| ly concur but cannot but think he has overlooked
the most important department Of all namely, that
of CommOs School Education. This plan is adm-
rably adapted to make few learned men what we
want is, the general diffusion Of education among
the people. This, If understand it, is the object Of
the bequest the question then is, how is this object
to be attained? Certainly not BY the establishment
of great university, with "six departments, and
twenty four professorships," for this would have
no more tendency "to difuse knowledge among
mankind" than the institutions of Oxford and Cam
bridge, which only serve for the education of the
weallher classes II is desirable, perhaps that the
Institution should have the character OF Universe
,y, containing the six departments, mentioned by
your correspondent but first of ALL and above all it
should have department. to be called the " Normal
School Department" where the y.ung of both sexes
may be trained 10 the profession OF teaching. We
want improved teachers for our common schools,
where the Of the children must look for alhhe
aids of education they will ever enjoy. 1t is in these
schools, whether they be better poorer, that the
great majority Of the future members Of the State
those who are TO form its society, and uphold or over
throw its institutions are TO obtain the principal part
of all the education they will ever receive. Who.
then for the greatest number will look
first to the welfare of the common schools. These
truths, thus being admilled il will follow that any
institution, founded for che diffusion of knowledge
among mankind" would be very imperfect, and i'll
adapted 10 effect its object, which should have no
regard the general education of the people. The
Normal School Department then, should be on Almost
liberal and extensive plan As prerequisite 10 adj
mission the candidates should declare il 10 be their
intention to qualify themselves TO become school
teachers; the term OF study should be at least one
year the course Of study should be those branches
ordinarily taught in our common schools and in
addition to these, Physiology, Anatomy, Mental
Philosophy, Music, Natural Philosophy, and As
tronomy Natural History, &c, and above all, The
science and art teaching rcM reference 10 nHe a6ore
named studies, This department should be under
the charge of principal, aided by suifcen' num-
Der of assistants. Similar schools would spring up
in different parts Of the country, and the dement's
would be speedily dfused throughout the greatness
of the people In a short time it would be rare
thing to see teacher of common schools, who had
moi received his education in one OF these institutions
such body of teachers are too obvious to need
pointing out, Neither is it necessary 10 show that
our common schools are by means what they
ought TO be; that those engaged in teaching, are
sadly deficient in every thing essential TO success
fu prosecution Of that employment, and unless
something is done to increase their qualifications,
though we may have some few learned men, The
graduates of our colleges aud universities, the great
mass Of the people will remain uneducated. The
indspensableness Of morality and intelligence to the
existence of free inst uons Is too generally Illus
traled and acknow ledged 10 need any remark and
yet, from the apathy which pervades hrou5 houi our
country on the subject of education, am inclined
TO think that this truth is too GENERALLY lost sgh' o.
1t has been we'll remarked, that a voter Is pup
lie man he is a member of the Governments ne
oficiates indirectly in the three departments JUDI
cary legislative executive Surely, such 'heihoe'
Of the administration ought TO be intelligent, up
right, conscientious, impartial, firm; ana ye' MS
possession of all these qualities ana virtues ~
ferred by political Augmentation from *
of brief perod of domicil, and the Pay,ne"' "
few shillngs! What consequences VIII i"P.nu
over society," and will asSuredIy oeiah 'oo a. ."e
great council Of the ballol-box, we see ''e" M"o W.
Yesterday arrived at maturity, VINO kh"" no'h'hs u
the princples and structure VI Inc uo'efh'neh u-
der which they live, OF the functions OF It's offcers
or the qualifications indispensable for dischargins
them" ,,, -.
The nan OF having press connected with The
r,s,i,non, as suggested BY yonr correspondent
hi,bIv approve A weekly paper might thus be
nI,ced in every domici in the land, and thousands
who now sit in Intellectual darkness, might have te
light of science poured into their benighted m'no'