Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-03-10
lcoMMUNIcATIoN.
THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION IN CO.
LUMBUS.

-'-N' LII Ot-OcAefiHR YOU 10 De a friend
to the cause of education in general, and to that
OF Columbus especially, hope you will give
place. IN your paper, for few remarks on that
subject Education, sir, is the great bulwark
OF liberty the main spring of free and an in
dependent Government, and therefore should
be to us, TO whom the very name of liberty is
sW eet, subject of the utmost importance. 1t
should be our care, not only to establish sys-
TEN of education in every part of our country,
so that all might reap its advantages, but also
to found such system as will prepare the
minds of our youth for success in any and ev-
cry occupation in lie. As people, we may
congratulate ourselves on having been awake
to this subject, and having realized its truth.
My object, therefore, is not to urge attention
to the cause of education generally, nor to Of
fer any amendment to the system Of education
generally adopted; but 1t is to look about home,
and to endeavor to direct the attention of this,
our own, community to the Importance of ex-
aiming the condition of the cause ofeducation
among ourselves, TO ascertain whether it be at
rest or in progress-whether our youth are
growing up without tuition, in relation 10 the
first great principles Of virtue, liberty, industry
and science.
What then are the facts in the case! Is the
cause prospecting as it ought or not If so, then
we are under great obligation to those who
have been the promoters of it, who have made
our schools what they were no., and who have
been and now are rearing our youth of both
sexes-the comforts of our old age, the objects
of fondest expectations, and the pride of our
country-to take their stations on ''the height
where Ftme's proud temple shint affair."" but
if not, it behooves US to seek out the causes OF
that adversely and apply the remedy. 1t would
be out Of the question to talk of "hard times"
in relation 10 this subject; for, be the times
hard or easy, our children have to be educated
that they may be able, by the energy of their
own minds, to strengthen and defend them
selves against the shines" to which they may
be subject. Before we answer the questions
proposed above. let US inquire into the charac-
ter of our schools. Are they such as demand
and deserve the patronage of the community /!
| If SO, and they have not that patronage, the
community are to be blamed. 1t certainly is
'passing strange" that highly respectable
institution should lack support, where the ri
sing generation is so hume, Gus and so nteres-
ting as in our town. What may say in rela-
ton to the character of our schools shall speak
with confidence, because shall speak no more
than what / know.
take pleasure in stating that the Female
College is, in the highest degree, worthy of the
attention and the care of this community
Doubtless, Mr.. Editor, you can sustain me in
the assertion that, as far as your knowledge
extends, this institution is founded upon as cor
rec principles, conducted in as able ar faith;
full manner, and exhibits as fair an evidence
of high literary station as any similar insti-
tuition in the South. If it be asked, for what
reason / rank this institution so high-I an
swer for the simplestreason in the world, viz:
the result of the labours of irs faculty proves it.
The most abstruse studies, which are general
" supposed to be manageable by masculine
minds only, are successfully, if not easily, mas
tered by the female minds under tuition IN that
College. / am sure know not what better
evidence of the character and merit of the In
stitution can be required. Willany one, then
not be surprised, when tell him that this
College has been, and is now, depressed by 9
want of funds-so much SO that its warmes
friends fear the gloom that shrouds the horizon
of its prosperity! THIS is the lamentable fact
and in view of it we ask the community, If this
state of things ought to exist Viii they no
assist either by contribution, or loan, or th'
patronage arising from connecting their chill
drr n with the institution! If they will be con
tent with seeing the cause of education thu
anguish, their children growing up IN igaor
auce, and themselves enjoying life's pleasure;
without being able TO look upon their offspring
and say with woman of Lacedemon "Thest
are my Jewels! then we must say Of Colum
: bus-O Princess of the West, how thy glor.
has faded!
The Franklin Academy next demands on
attention. This institution, which seemed, 70
a time, to linger under the influence OF som
maady, and scarcely to repay It's patrons 10
their care and anxiety, has greatly improve
during the last ten months, and now bids fai
to take high sand among its contemporaries
But. sir, there is yet an obstacle IN the way
the prooress Of that institution, and one whlc
will always impede unless removed. Thong
il has an ample fund, SO that one would SUP
pose that every thing ought to 60 on smooth
and easily, l understand it is indebt' and as tn
fund is wholly employed in payment Of the sa
arv of the Teachers, it will always De In deb
unless some plan be adopted which has, Rpt ye
been adopted. Mark; this salary Of the teach
srs does not mean the salary of the present
, even of the past session, but OF two or thre
sessions ago: so that the present teachers hav
TO live on expectation and ANTICIPATION poe
livelihood 1T will do in love but not IN foo
, &c. IA school is as the teacher and the teach
er is as the pay" and this being so either tn
/ school must be badly taught by such as cam
: do any thing else, or not be taught at ALL
Though I may not profess to know much abot
! teaching believe know enough to know tina
it is not so desirable an occupation that ma
; of any sense will teach for nothing. a teach
er is rather an unenviable parsonage. lnvle'
II n