The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-07
NUMBER z,

When, for moment, we reflect on the influence
which early education exerts in the formation OF
the human mind and character, through after
life, no consideration which we can reasonably
bestow on its cultivation seems either misapplied
or unnecessary. Locke judiciously observes,
"Those who would lay the foundation of sound
education for youth, should provide the best in
structors, lest erroneous ideas be inculcated at
period when they make the deepest impressions;
and hence, are eradcated only with the greatest
difficulty" while Pope, with equal discrimina-
ton, observes
"'Tis education forms the tender mind;
Just as the twig is bent, the trees Inclined
The latent purport Of these views being adj
mitted, the consideration suggests itself; do pa
rents, in general, manifest that becoming s0lici.
tude which the responsibilities Of their stations
SO Internationally demand, in this respect? We
pause for an answer; and we respectfully sug-
gest that our readers will initiate our example,
before they offer one mot, indeed, to US, but to
their own scrutinizing consciences which, how
ever effectively lulled for time, by the prompt-
ings Of caprice negligence, or involuntary deer
sion, will-nay, must, sooner or later-become
quick and condemning witnesses against those
who are compelled to reply in the negative.
And, do members Of the human family exist,
who claim the distinction due to the image OF
the Godhead, and to the recipients OF Reason
who would be thought important enough to be
deemed accountable for the abuse Of that boosted
privilege which elevates them, with little dit.
ference, to level with the angels Of heaven
do such, we inquire, exist, and yet neglect those
all-important duties which our queries implyl
Do we speak Of father yes, father. the Sc
condary author Of human existence. Have you
never observed his anxiety for the superior cul-
tivation and advancement Of brute sagacityf
Has he horse to be trained? Solicitude i on
the rack to provide an adept for the purpose!
Has he dog, intended for his occasional amuse-
ment? Inquiry is tortured in pursuit of COM
petent instructor! Has he a monkey, or par
rot No pains are deemed onerous, provided
the httle idol becomes prU6cients But. has
he a child, whose soul is immortal, and which,
for its transient happiness, as well as for ITS
eternal wo or veal, must mainly depend on its
incipient requirements has he such charge!
Alas what apathy prevails on the subject Of its
intellectual advancement! How widely differ
emf the feeling too frequently manifested in the
subject Of our theme. Behold with what calm
Indifference, as we too often perceive, he sur
renders his inexperienced, thoughtless, perhaps,
maynard offspring, to the guidance OF some
soulless ypedagogue, or literary coxcomb-noto.
rious only for unconscious ignorance or insipi1
conceit. To hope to cast valuable model from
such mould, would be to hope for the produc-
ton of miracle where no adequate materials
existed for its development The censor who
exposes an evil has but partially performed his
duty till he adduces remedy. TO effect this,
we shall anticipate the apparently posing que
ries-ss What is to be done in such cases Z"
" How are we (parents) to distinguish between
the claims of the Pedant, or the Pretender, and
those Of the Scholar :" To these natural as
well as reasonable inquiries, we reply As we
possess not competent tribunals, legally author
ized to examine and qualify our teachers for
their important stations in society, act, we en-
treat Of you, in the same manner, as you would
do on those occasions which we have taken
leave, and we opine, justly, to ridicule. Exert,
by judicious inquiry, but the 1.-THE of the sohci-
tude which you manifest in providing competent
instructors for your horses and your dogs for
your monkeys and your parrots and if, per
chauce, you fail in the attainment of your OBJ
ject-which is by no means likely-you will, at
least, have the consolation to feel, that, to
extent, you have performed your duty "a duty
paramount to all others, that Of your duty to
your Creator excepted and in which, your duty
to your offspring is most intimately involved.
Thus, and thus only, can we hope to escape the
consequences Of entrusting the education Of
youth to incompetent teachers who impose
blighting tax upon an unsuspicious public, to the
irreparable injury of its most vital interests
~ Y. San. !.