Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-01-21


ever pass 1t by, without lew suggestions of def
mite aud practical nature. The idea which is TOO
prevalent, that education consists in learning to
read and write, has led TO ;hc error of mistaking
the means for the end, and substituting mere me-
chanlca efforts for the discipline and advancemen,
Of the moral and intellectual powers. But the
ability To read it is OF little value If it is not eyer
cised. and the power TO acquire know ledge is bar.
rem OF utility if the pupil or the man wants the op-
portnnity or the desire 70 use it. The cultivation
OF the moral and intellectual powers, and a crea.
ton of taste for reading and habit of thought
and reflections seem TO me of the first Importance
in system of general education To aid in this
great work OF renovation, we need higher stand
ard Of qualifications for teachers, institutions par
ticuary adapted TO instruct and prepare them for
the great work before them, school houses better
and more suitable construction, and more general
interest on the part of the people in the researches
and suggestions of those who have nvastiaa ed the
whole subject with patience, ability and minute
ness dissemination Of the able treases which
have been published and a determination to adop.
and carry ont in practice, udicous reforms and
questionable Improvements. In aid OF these views
! would suggest the cxpedency Of authorizing
school districts 10 raise money for the purchase Of
district libraries, of standard works under tho d
rcctlon of a committee otherwise. I h benefits
| of such libraries would not be confined TO tho
schools, but would extend TO the whole community.
4 system OF exchanges mi ht be agreed upon be-
tween contiguous districts, to the accommodations
and advantage If both.
am not prepared to recommend ut this timc
! the establishment Of Board of Education. but !
/ have no doubt that the employment Of one or more
intelligent. active judicioLs commissioners, whose
duty II SHALL be 10 devote their time and talents to
this subject, visit different parts of the Stafe, and
! disseminate norma ion, awaken attention and i'll
terestamohg the citizens, and carry into practical
operation well established improvements and gather
and arrange Statistics ud lie highly advana-
s"ous 10 the cause otpopn'ar education, and amply
repay, IN substantial benefits the cos, ofhe exper-
ment. We want light, information. irprovetnent
a more general attendance of children, ana better
system al teaching, before common schools can
/ become what they ought to be, and may be the
adequate scminares for the education of the future
Republican citizens OF uur State.
cannot but regard the course adopted in most Of
orr compactand populons towns and villages. by
ich the public and common schools are made of
secondary Importance by the prominence given to
private instruction, rs injurious 10 the cause OF gen
eTal cdrcaion, ard rs fostering spirit which leads
10 lnYldi"us distinctions in society, and serves 10
degrade the public semlnarirs in many minds, 10
point little snort OF absolute contempt. in such
communities the public srlooIssmay very easiiy b.
mate adequate to tie wants of the people, and
may present the trnly democratic spectacle of II
community, VI here the children of every parent
equally participate ia the high privilege Of morat
aud intellectual culture. Existing facts pt owe that
such state ri ,Ings may exist and trust shalt
he U,rdui"d ,hu Satisfaction aud pride with which
state, ,i!al in the cay Of Bangor, the OF six
thousand doiars S annually rased by tax for thu
sup or, ct public sch"oIs and such Is their high
cilir'lc or and lir satisfactory mode of conducting
tnen that ihcrr Is tot single private school IN its
hunts, above the grade ot primary destruction, and
very t.vy Of hs DIES rirtion; and that this is no.
the result n ind!f,rcuce but Of awakened interest
aud i,itniui rirr on ,h" part O! those "hu have
ch;Eg,. ui the public schools
, lne-e remarks will tot, am sure, hn cora'ruch
into .,vpresslun az dislike or rn!uusy e lhoso
tab I>i'G ms Iu'"n>, -. hipl' grade than common
schools ,or the i,cn"ft particularly Of tb"sn who
reside sparse " Htliid III irlcis such institutions
NJ" needed and WI SWANS douhlicss be held Justly
IN mgis es!iina.ion, mud with our Colleges
ttlcd 10 lie highest regard Of every friend oi sound
leaning grnernl lete g"nce and civil liberty,
The Insane Hospital has, during the las.
year, been opened f,r ihe reception of in
mates and II ia ~ source Of great satisiac-
iion - every humane nnd, that an asylum
so spacious and SO convenient, has been
provided Tor the unfortunate victims Of
mental dlsea.e, by the union Of public and
private mnuiiicence. have no doubt i,
vii be ynnr anx,Gos desire to aid the in
sItution and It's officers, by a careful exam
inaiiun lntn is affairs and wants, and Ivy tbs
enactment OF such laws as may be necessa-
fy to carry oui The beneyoIen, design of iis
lnunders There are, probably several in
sane prisoners remaining IN our comfy
lalls who ought to be at once removed 10
the Hospital, and more of that class of III
zane panpeis, who are no, deemed Z" so in-
rously mad as to be dangerous" and who
yet are fit subjects for the comforts and
discipline Of the Asylum. Humanity de-
mands ha, they should receive the supper;
which the towns to which they belong are
now compelled to afford, at this In 'iitution.
at the actual cos, Of their mantenance.--
The expe, ience of other similar retreats fos
the insane has proved tina, very large pro-
portion of all recent cases may, by timely
aid, be radically cured, and now that this
opportunity is offered in our own State, it
would be most unkind on the part of reae
tives who are able, and overseers who have
charge ofthe destitute, to suffer any mere
cons derafions of rrAing additional charges
to deter them from sending those who arc
suffering to this refuge, where they will
certainly be comfortable, and may be re-
stored to reason.
The general laws Of the State having
been recently consolidated, and re-enacted
by the Legislature, after a careful and tho.
rough revision by able and faithful Com
missioners, we may indulge the hope and
the belief that few alterations or additions
will be demanded, by the public interests