The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-07
VOL. V. NO. "a.
COM M U NICATIONS.
For the Voice of Freedom.
f DUCATI ION.


Mr. Editor:-lt was with pleasure
tina, | read your article upon the all inn
portant subject Of Education, which ap-
peared in your paper of week before last.
The ggestions which it contained should
be read and re-read, by all; and what is
still more important, and more likely to
be neglected all should act in reference
10 this great object, and do whatever they
have the ability of doing, towards the i'm
provement of their race. But it can not
be expected that all aoiu give their atten-
ton to this subject, because large share
of mankind are engaged in something
which they consider of more importance.
1t is lamentable fact, that few propen-
sites which should be kept in subsection
to The moral powers and intellect, are
allowed 10 take the ascendency by the
masses of mankind, and the qualification
of which, becomes the object of their lives.
Hence the moral feelings are nearly
quenched, and the intellect is employed
only to CRAFTY the animal propensities,
AS regards primary schools, | believe
they may be much improved, and that by
little well directed effort, much greater
amount of benefit may be derived from
them than have been heretofore. But
believe our primary schools will never
secure the object for which they were
designed. 1t appears 10 me TO be mon.
sirous unnatural, that children, as soon as
they are old enough to learn their "let.
tiers" should be torn from their natural
guardians and teachers, and sent awav 10
receive instruction from The lips of stran-
gers, and too frequently it is from the lips
only, the heart having neither part nor
ot in the matter. Ard, if the teacher does
feel all the interest which il is possible
for teacher to feel, for those under his
charge, still, it is no more in comparison
with the feelings of the parent towards
the child, than a single drop to the mighty
ocean. From the thousands of strong
cords Of love and affection, that bind the
parent 10 the child, | regard it as law of
nature, that parents should educate their
own children, and when they learn TO
obey this law, then will The education of
children be what ii should be, and not II /
then. But before this state of things, so
desirable, can be obtained, there must he
great change in all the departing ms of
education, especially in the education of
the female sex. Instead Of being educat-
ed TO become parlor toys and play things,
they must be qualified to fill the station
which Heaven designed they should fill.
that of becoming wives and mothers, and
not the protectors and preservers only, but
the educators Of their children.
There is one idea, near the close Of
your article, Mr.. Editor, which appears
to me TO be erroneous, which is his; tina.
children have both good and bal propen-
sites. Would it not Be more in accord.
ance with true philosophy, to teach that
the feelings and propensties, when prop
erly governed, are what they should he.
and that the acrOng consists in the percer-
sion of propensilies, that are good in them.
selves, and which, if ightIy controlled,
will enhance our happiness AS you ask
for short articles, l will close for the pres
ent. F. J, FARR.
Brandon, Nov. 27, 1S43.