Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-05-25
Absence from Schools.

The following extract from The 9th annual
Repor, Of the Secretary Of Education in
Msssach chuselis, Horace Msnn,) will apply
equally ss well to the public schools IN this
pluce-and in fact to schools generally.
ain regurd, however, TO the enormous evil
Of absence from our schools, the most fearful
and widespread epidemic, is that Of parental
indifference. There would be no hardship or
ground Of complaint in the adoption and en-
forcement Oft code Of rules for all our schools
which would bring all parents TO an option,
either to send their children TO school rcgu.
larly, or tn keep them away regularly,
iraordinary cases Of course being excepted
Iuegulnrily Of attendance is not only an in
jury to the irregular scholars themselves, but
It is fragrant injustice 10 the whole school,
Ii battles all attempts al classification, without
which the principal advantages Of public over
family education, (ihat is, in most cnses, over
little education or none at oil. are lost. II
derspgcs the general order Of The schools
1t encronchcs largely upon the time Of those
who attend regularly, aud thereby robs them
of no inconsidernble share Of their rightful
claim TO instruction. II lowers the whole tone
and standard Of The school, and thus dlspa-
rages It's reputation or relative standing
among its nelgbbors. And on what principle
ia il, that any one can claim the enjoyment OF
a privilege common to all, on condition or
in u manner which defeats the very object OF
its bestowment? The parent or guardian
who. unless in cases Of urgent necessity.
sends his child irregularly to school, conicmns.
so far, the public benefaction TO himself, and
inlercep,s and destroys the advantages which
a. thn.c
Whoever, therefore, sets up n claim TO send
his children to school, or Ia keep them from,
it, on alternate days or half days, according
TO his own caprice and irrespective Of circun'.
stances, claims The right of so using his share
of common good, as to diminish the value oi
The share Of others, whose lille iseqnnl To his
own i'm other words, under the prctext Of q
right, he commits a wrong. II is analogous
TO The claim of single traveller so TO occupy
or obs,ruct The whole pubic highway for his
personal convenience, ms to render II inpossn-
BILE, or difficult of passage, TO all other citizens
Relying MS VIC do, almost exclusively, upon
the voluntary action Of the people. in their
respective towns for the removal Of evils, and
the introduction Of improvements, this i'm.
portant iapic should be earnestly ahd persc-
veringly urged home upon the reason and
conscience of The community. This evil IL
aggravated in the country by those who detain
their children from school, on account Of the
pecuniary value Of their services. Such pa.
rents do no, reflect that they are taking time
from pursuit where il has the greatest value,
aud approprlntlng II 10 one where It has The
least. IL Is more was,etul than to use gold
instead Of iron for pough-shares, or silk in
stead Of hemp for cordage. The season OF
youth avalls but comparatively hl,c for
work, but much for education but in mature
age the facts are reversed; the period Of
manhood being worth much for labor, while.
# early life has been passed in neglect. it is
worth little for learning. The productive
power ofthe mind is as much greater ~ child.
hood as that Of the body is in adult lfc."