The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-02

ment in reference 30 TIE Public School System
of the State, are forcible and judieious. The
policy which too many States, South Carolina
among the number, have pursued in regard to
the salaries of teachers in Public Schools, is one
that should be entirely changed. We are pleased
to observe that Gov. Henagan recommends that
liberal salaries be paid to competent teachers in
that State and that good moral character be
all indispensable requisite in every instructor
His remarks on this subject are so well worthy
Of consideration that we copy them:
sOur Free School System has lately attract
ed especial attention. l trust that, from the
many reports Of the Commissioners to our late
Governor YOU will be able to derive important
aid in the patriotic and benevolent effort 10
place it upon a more useful and correct founda-
ton. Without presuming to giveyou even the
outlines of system, | would respectfully sub
nit a few remarks on the subject The pay Of
the teachers is altogether too moderate. The
very small compensation may be said, without
much of figure, to poison the whole system If
we value professions by their usefulness none
can be more important than that ofthe Teacher
His duties are most irksome and laborious, and
no occupation in life calls for rarer comoina-
| ton of talent and character. The foundation of
complete education can be surely laid, only in
our elementary schools. The Importance of
thoroughEnglish education, is, to great extent,
overlooked, IN our modern systems, and eur
youth is hurried into the study of the ancient
classics, without even decent knowledge of
their own tongue. 1t is humiliatinx fact, that
many, fresh from the walls of College, cannot
write page, without betraying their ignorance
of the structure of eur language. This Is no i'm
Putation upon the professors, as young men arc
not sent there to learn the rudiments Of English,
but are presumed TO know them before their ad-
mission. tits not my design to depreciate the
dead languages, or a knowledge of their litera-
ture; but that education Is imperfect, indeed,
which looks too exclusively to such an attain
ment. A critical knowledge of our own lam
guage, with its literature, Should De the primary
object of attention, and, under no circumstances.
should this be neglected. There can be no oe-
casion for this neglect, as the thorough know
ledge of one language only facilitates the acqui-
sition of another. 1t is no easy matter now, to
acquire good English education in South-Ca
olina He who would offer to teach English
alone, could not calculate upon making his
bread. Our modern notions require something
else; and hence, every head of petty country
school, advcrtises to give instruction in Latin
Greek, Italian and French, and those higher
English branches, which can be properly taught
only in College. To know what Homer and
Horace wrote, and to be able to read the Grecian
and Roman anthologies, is regarded of more i'm
portance than the knowledge of our owa times
and country. The Legislature cando something
to reform this state Of things, by elevating the
character of our Free Schools, and recurring that
applicants for admission into the College. should
be examined in certain English departments.
with which no they are only presumed to be
familiar.
There is a more important relation. however.
between the Teacher and the Pupil, than the
merely intellectual. 1t is the moral relation
How vastly important that the teacher should
possess the requisite moral qualifications: that
he should be able to give that kind of instruction
| whirh alone can qualify us for the higher duties
of life, which alone can qualify US for eternity.
| The education Of the mind and heart must go
together, better ia better would it be for our
children to continue in the depths of native To-
norancc. | would not convert our Free Schools
into Theological Summaries; but it becomes
tbs Legislature to guard, in every proper man.
ner, the morals of the children and protect them
against those sinister influences which make
them any thing but good and useful citizens In
the words of distinguished modern writer,
sEEducation consists in learning what makes
| man useful, respectable and happy" 1t is all
! important to elevate the character of the Teach
ers IF our Free Schools. The relation between
! Teacher and Pupil Is off, most responsible ma
ture, and involves all that Importance which be-
| loags to authority, on the one side, and submis-
sion on the other. In addition to literary quail
fcations, no ono, if possible, should control tho
education of the youth of the State, who is de-
ficient in moral character. Who, would ask,
are the Teachers Of our Free Schools? Are
they men to whom thu Legislature can commit,
with confidence, the great business of education?
What is the amount OF their literary qualifca-
tions, and what the tone of their morality? 1t IS
not my design to indulge III Unnecessary remarks
upon this subject, but truth requires me to say
that, class, thay grossly incompetent to
discharge their high and sacred functions. So
far as my observations extend, with bat few ex-
ceptions, they are very ignorant, and possess a
very easy morality. With the poor pay allow
: edthem, we cannot reasonably calculate upon
{ better state OF things. The men who take
charge of our public schools, and accept so mis-
cradle pittancc as the reward of their labors
, are they who cannot get employment on any 9th
er terms. Necessity forces them to make the
offer Of their services, and necessity forces tn,
Commissioners to accept them. 1t is now II
South Carolina a reproach to be Teacher of
free school, as it is regarded prtnia .facie eyi
dence OF want ofqualihcstion. Men will no
embark in the business of education, from mer
motives OF patriotism. You cannot commant
superior talent and attainment, without adequate
compensation. The Lawyer, the Physician
and the Artizan, bestow not their labors gratuit
ously; and upon what principle OF reason or jus
tice can 1t be expected, that he who has qualifGt
himself, by years of severe toll for the most use
full of all professions, shall labor at rate whcl
will not supply the wants OF nature"
Kit becomes my duty to transmit to you
| copy Of the Preamble and Resolutions Of thu
State of Connecticut, in favor OF the Protectiv
policy, which were forwarded to me with reques
that they be laid before you. The Compromise
a as 1t is called, will expire in 1912. In tina
Act, is the stipulation, that the revenue, from
this source, shall be reduced to the limits of al
economical expenditure of the Government
3 The solemn pledge is thus given, that no NOR
duties shall be imposed than are necessary to de
fray our expenses; and according to our under
standing of the bargain, the principle of protec
ton, as distinct, substantive power, is aban
doncd ! must confess that am not so mucl
surpr ised, as panied at this demonstration, or
the part of one Of the Sovereign States of th'
coniederacy, to FIX again, if possible, this odiou
system uponus. To this violation IF the Con