Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-09-30
POPUMA-2 ls1DUUAzrr@yTo
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
EV'N SPECTATOR. /.
o"0St0nce q an .7ddress on Common Schools, de-
h'sred al Public Melting Of tie Mszens n
augusta, heldin Stanton, Sent. IL. 1871

.4"S''sfa, held an Staunton, Sept. III, 1911.
MIR. EDIroR-lt is a task of great difficulty to
transfer any spoken address to the papes of a
newspaper or pamphlet. Much which is inter
esuh| In the address, will lose its interest bv the
chahSe. There are other difficulties i'm the pre-
sent case. ne address delivered, partook so lit
tie Oh the Character of the notes, on which il WAS
apparently based, that they furnish a very inner
lect GUIDE to recalling any thing more than the
rudest skeleton of the address itself. So eyten-
siVe Is The subject, that unrestraned bv a visible
audience, there is more danger, in presenting nv
III 'i!s iorni' OF lnilIctlng trial up
OH your patience and that Of your readers. There
Isl however, a consul pn in the reflection. thai
no rules OF propricty VIII compel the reader to ne
ruse what is written, Mough they MIGHT innose
some patience on the Bearer of what was spoken
An address on common schools in Virginia. an
such questions as these; -
l. What Is Education2
=. what amS :9a A # aaaHe il be possesseda
%. What is the condition of common schools in
Virginia 40
4. What has been done in Virginia by lecsla-
i've action! I his involves discussion of the
merits OF the School Law, OF acts of the Leoisla
lure Tor educating the poor children
.. What remedy should be applied to suppIv
deficiencies and iinpertections
believe that al that was said in nv adj
dresS may be comprehended under the General
topics presented in these questions.
l. What is Education9 In it's proper and
more extended sense, by education is meant the
development or bringing QUIZ of the Qualities oC
mind, heart, and body, which naturally eyist and
OF course their Improvement. This is accom-
Piished oy instruction and discipline The term
Is usually applied to denote the mere intellectual
instruction and discipline of the schools. With
out urging the proPriety of the definition made,
shall use the term in this address in the limited
fDfI =
are so called from their aording what constitute
| Inc elements OF education, common TO all These
are generally considered to be reading, writino.
and arithmetic. They lie at the basis of all 9th.
ef Instructions, and we can conceive of no
education deserving the name in which thew are
not included. They are as necessary for proSecn.
ting additional studies for enjoying any of the
privileges which belong to the mind
Z. what amount of education is necessary 10
every citizen, and why should it be possessed?
ne Idea oil common school education which
has beenj just presented, is the popular idea enter
talned In this part of the country, and evidently
That OF the Trainers Of our school laws. READING.
Witing ana arithmetic constitute the only indis-
pensable branches In whck the State requires the
poor children, whose tuition is defrayed bv the
annual appropriation, to be Instructed But if the
chhd should be prepared by education for perform
| ing the duties and enjoying the privileges of a
man. dehnitiono OF the purpose Of education fur
hiShed by the great Milton, il seems obvious that
! something more should be introduced into that Ell
! emehtary Education deemed indispensable for
! all our citizens to acquire. Some elements of pe-
| ography, history, and the government of our
country, and so much of the Bible history as will
Inform the mind on the great facts connected with
| the primitive and early condition of our race and
! so much OF its Religion as will guard the mind
| from ianaiicism, sectaranism and bgotV and
furnish morality for Time and hope for Eter-
ni'y' ought certainly TO form parts Of the educa
flame nj t.,a
important Tor the promotion of individual and So
cldi happiness and welfare, as well as conducive
to national wealth, and subservient to the preser-
walton OF our invaluable political institutions.
Whatever be the situation of an individual. his
actual enjoyment is increased by reading. His
tory opens to him an entertaining view Of men
and things in other times. The Travels of the
observing and intelligent inform him of the state
OF society, the government and manners Of other
people. He may be instructed bv the more solid
and serious writings, and amused by the works OF
imagination. Thus too, his tastes for pleasure
are elevated and refined, and he derives negative
. as well as positive benefit from POSSESSING an
ability and inclination to read nasmuch as he i,
; thereby prevented from seeking mere sensua
, qualification, whose moderate enjoyment is offer
injurious, and whose excessive indulgence is Hike
! destructive to physical and moral welfare.
knowledge is power for good or evil, and ;
system of Elementary Education impartino TO Oh,
young, even the Tudments of human and divine
truth, and enabling them TO the great key e
) unlock the treasures Of the past and the present
coniers an incaculable benefit on the domestic
and social condition Of man. For what is con
trbuied TO the Individual, is direct benefit 10 al
those circles in which he moves, to all those in
terests TO which he contributes, from that of do
t nestle life to that of the body polite. By a
g much as an honest, upright, intelligent and sobe
G man ava'ls to the good Of society over one Of Oh
y opposite description, BY SO much is thatto be va