The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-10-24

leSlSiatlon-an appropriate and ncccssa
ry instrument for executing the laws-ar
instrument far more efficient than tho
g strongest military force while at the same
time, it gives to state high-minded, vr.
tuous, intelligent men, to become its
strength, its defence, and glory.
But what IS cducation' It is not mere
ly the learning which numbers the brain
1t is the discipline Of the mind and the
heart, developing ircapaciics, strcng-
thenlng their powers, and training them
to practical usefulness. Our children
should be learned to think-to discrimi-
nate-to feel the conscious power of Gull
tivated intellectual, and the purifying, and
elevating influence OF Christian principle.
And this education should be universal,
reaching the humble hovcl as well as the
spacious mansion, and thus bringing out
the children of the poor and the rich, to
drink together at the enlarged fountains
Of knowledge which We should open for
all.
To accomplish the purpose of educating
this whole people, in manner suited to
sustain our free institutions, we obviously
need more elevated standard of COM
mon school instruction. There is too
wide chasm between liberal and a
common education. The higher should
not be brought down, but the lower rails
ed, Great political responsibilities rest
on our people, involving the necessity of
high state Of general intelligence. They
are to Judge not only of the personal
qualifications Of candidates for office, but
Of the character and tendency Of meas
ures, and the force and bearing of great
principles. They must be able to cor
rect errors of fact, detect false reason
ing, and put dcmagogucs to silence.
And the road to distinction should be
made broader. We want in high public
stations more men who have been trained
to maturity amid the scenes Of ordinary
life, Industry, patience, perseverance,
common sense, sympathy for the lahoiing
classes, contempt for Tie mere distinc-
ton of Office, and a love Of the noble OBJ
iects it gives the power to accomplish
these arc among the fruits of an intelIec-
tual and moral training amidst the labors
and trials of common life. The mass of
mind, as 1t comes up to maturity, may. |
by a proper system of education, be dis
ciplincd to yigor, and furnished with an
amount of knowledge, fitting for almost
any station, not involving the necessity
of professional skill for its success.
| do not undcrvaluo the higher scmina-
ries. They must be sustancd-estab-
lishcd upon solid foundaions-placcd
beyond the reach Of embarrassment and
want. They arc important, not only to
train instructors, and fit men for the learn
cd professions, but to maintain high
standard of education in community
They are like the sun shining in his
strength and giving light and heat to the
bodies by which he is surrounded. But
if we would sustain them, let US elevate
Inc standard Of common education, for
IN proportion as that is done, will the
liehcr institutions be more valued, and
more literally patronized and endowed,
while there will be throughout the com
nunity, greatly increasing thirst for the
water that comes from these deeper and
ourcr fountains.
The great dcsideratum in regard to
common education is, imprOccd modes If
caching modes by which the hitherto
great waste Of time may be ayoidcd-tho
mind stimulated to activity-traincd to
habits of scll-relying effort, and learned
o Ego alone" as it shall be thrown upon
Is own resources, amid the labors and
Of practical life. Time
waits not the sluggish and inefficient
movements of false methods OF teaching.
1t bears our children rapidly on to man
rood, prepared or unprcparcd for the
treat duties of life. But us we double
he power of human energy by new pro-
arts so may we double the value of the
allotted time for education. We are ca
1er to avail ourselves Of the augmented
power TO gain wealth through the wonder
ul discoveries and improvements Of this
lgc. Rail roads augment the value of
Every thing they touch or approach, and
We are, therefore, awake to their impor-
ancc; but are there not more wonderful
levelopcmcnts to be made OF intellectual
wealth by improved modes Of education!
Shall other Improvements 90 on, while
his stands still Are the mind and heart
Of n people of less Importance than the
of wealth in the earth they in
habit? Shall we carefully improve the
breeds of our animals while we neglect
he improvement of man; If he is es-
eemed Il public benclactor who makes
-wo blades of grass grow where one grew
before, is not he a greater, who dcvises
means for doubling the productive power
Of the mind of "A people:
And now is presented the great inqui-
ry-By what means shall the needed re-
forms be effected in the management and
of our common schools? This
is, practically difficult question The
first thing to be done evidently is, to as
certain The present condition Of our
schools in regard to the precise defects
in the modes of instruction., the charac-
ter of the books used and the general
,,,nI,rd al nuoI tfic,finnu nf tpnchnr.