Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-07-28
For the Spectator.


Mr.. Editor-Nature having performed good
part in the beautiful aud picturesque scenery sur
rounding us, as IL allurng to elevated aspirations
may DO probably inquired, what are We doing
Tor oarselvesl Are we tutoring the minus OF 6ul
youth up to the standard which would seem to
bent our physical advanagesa Some parts Of
the valley can answer tins question with high
credit 70 the Intelligence and public spirit OF the
population. An adjoining county, by assiduous
and successful efforts in the cause of learning
mas won Cor her seat OF justice the proud title oil
''Athens Of the Valley" Alas! what is Angus
IA doing--and what classic recollections may
hereafter be associated with her county seatf
appeal to the pride Of the county--to It's inielli-
gence and public spirit-to commendable regard
for the intellectual standing Of our sons and daugh-
tsfs; and to the spirit of patriotism which con-
templates the union of virtue and intelligence as
tho best safeguard of liberty, that we arouse to
greater interest in the cause Of education.
The streams that gush from our mountains, by
a law Of nature flow on without our aid. Noun
tains shoot upward in majesty, and vallies stretch
= out in serenity, independently Of mans will
We may not, however, look for law Of mind
by which to achieve lofty intellectual a,,ainments,
without ceasel IS care and labor. The question
'recurs, what are We doing in the way Of schools
Are they so utterly neglected that few respond
to the interrogatory There could be no strong
e. evidence OF neglect. Where are the visitors
and trustees of our schools and academies! They
have assumed responsible trust both in regard
TO these institutions and the people; ask them
TO answer the question, and they will acknowl-
edge, that while they have been ''careful and
troubled about many things" this one thing
they have neglected. Killed by neglect, is a
mournful verdict for the dead, and certainly not
complimentary to the living; and yet moro than
one school might be mentioned, in regard 10 which,
upon any fair inquest, such mus. be the finding
of honest men,
:. 1t Is very true, that the prosperity Of schools
depends very much upon tho varied qualifications
OF the teachers, and they of course, must under
go the burden of teaching; still there is an in
terest 10 be exhibited by patrons and trustees,
which will give life and energy 10 the teacher, as
well as the most wholesome stimuli to the pu-
Piis; and, let me say, human nature is so consti-
tuted as to require such helps. When once there
Is waking up on this point, change will be
seen In the condition Of all our schools for the con-
sequence VIII be, not only the encouragement lust
referred TO, but the correction of variety of evils
which now mar their prosperity. Of these more
hereafter.
The only additional remark have to make a,
present, refers to the necessity of cooperation in
eHecung graduation of schools and there is
more philosophy in the idea than might at first
appear. A preparation for higher sphere of ac-
eion' aided by commendable pride of character,
Is usually attended by greater zeal and effort
besides IL Is the only mode of ensuring high
quaiihcations to teachers in particular depart
.o"''. anu securing Tor the pupil sound instruc-
ton in each. When neiohborhood Schools
and Academies are considered parts OF the
same system, the one acting feeder to the
other--when the first placed under the direc-
ton OF intelligent and discreet men, who NAV be
, Eelied on as patrons and guardians, and who will
undertake to extend their views to the higher In
stitutions-ascertan The character, moral and in
teileciuai, of their professors, and the propriety
OF sustaining them as county establishments, by
sending up pupils from the schools below,-then,
and not till then, shall we see the cause of edu-
cation advancing, and Augusta assuming posi-
ton In this great cause to which her resources en-
title her.
With regard to the Academy at Staunton, in
whose interest from many considerations, feel
particular soiciude, it is strictly county insti-
tution. Reared up by means OF fund appropri-
ated by the county, q mean the pebe fund, bat
!onized to a commendable extent by its citizens
IT only needs little more county influence in its
favor, 10 fulfil the expectations Of its founders.
Yours, &c.
AN OBSERVER