The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-10-16

II
involving the necessity of professional skill
for its success.
I do not undervaIue the higher seminaries
They must be Observation-Disclosures upon
solid foundations-placed beyond the reach
of embarrassment and want. No adequate
system Of education can ce sustained without
theR. They are important, not only to train
instructors, and fit men for the learned pro-
fessions, but TO maintain high standard oil
education in a community. They are like the
sun shining in his strength. and communica-
rion in a community. They are like the sun
shining in his strength, and communicating
light and heat to the bodies by which he is
surrounded. But if We would sustain them
let US elevate the standard of common educa-
ton, for in proportion as that is done, will
the higher institutions be more valued, and
more literally patronized aud endowed; while
there will be, throughout the community, 4
greatly increasing thirst for the water that
comes from these deeper and purer foun-
tains.
The great desideratum in regard 10 COM
mon education is, improUed modes q teaching,
modes by which the bisherto great waste
of time may be avoided-the mind stimulated
TO activity-trained TO habits of self-relying
effort, and learned to "go alone" as it shall
| be thrown upon its own resources, amid the
labors and responsibilities Of practical life
Time waits not the sluggish and Inefficient
movements of false methods Teaching. 1t
bears our children rapidly onward to man.
hood, prepared or unprepared for the great
duties of life. But as we double the power
of human energy by new processes in agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts, so may we double
the value of the allotted time for education.
We are eager 10 avail ourselves Of the aug
mented power to gain wealth through the
! wonderful discoveries and improvements of
/ this age. Railroads augment the value of
everything they touch or approach, and we
are, therefore, awake to their importance;
but are there not more wonderful develope-
ments TO be made Of intellectual wealth by
improved modes of educationi Shall other
improvements go on, while this stands still
! Are the mind and heart of people of less
importance than the materials Of wealth in the
earth they inlia5it! Shall we carefully i'm
prove the breeds of our animals while we
neglect The improvement of man! If he is
esteemed a public benelactor who makes two
blades Of grass grow where one grew before,
is not he greater, who devises means for
doubling the productive power ofthe mind of
a peoplel
And now is presented the great inquiry
BY what means shall the needed re-
forms be effected in the management and
instruction of our common schools This
is, practically , difficult question. The
first thing to be done evidently is, to ascer-
tain the present condition of our schools
in regard to the precise defects in the
modes of instruction, the character of the
books used and the general standard OF
qualification Of teachers.
Though we have doubtless many good
teachers, there is, in general manifest
deficiency in this respect Nor should
this surprise US. 1t would rather be sur
prizingif, under our present system-if
system it can be called-the standard of
qualification did not fall far below what it
should be. Teaching is, generally, but
temporary resort, either to obtain the
means of an education, or of embarkinp
in other pursuits. 1t should be profess
sion, as honorable as it is responsible
There will be good teachers when we shall
mature common school system which
shall create demand for, and furnish the
means of rcwarding them.
There should be, furthermore, an ex-
animation into the condition Of the school
houses, in reference to their size, seating.
ventilation, warmth, location, and the
grounds connected with them
Information on all these points should
be embodied and brought out, in order to
awaken the public attention to the neces-
sity of vigorous and systematic efforts for
reform. And this must be done under leg
islative authority, by persons competent to
an inspection, and TO the making of its re-
suits ineligible and usefnl, as basis of
future action. Such investigations have
been the first step in the prosecution OF
educational improvement in the states of
Connecticut, Massachusetts and New
York, producing, within few years, great
and beneficial results in these States. Will
Vermont longer hesitate to follow their
example d! On you rests the responsible
ty of deciding this question. l would not
urge to hasty and headlong efforts at i'm
provement. Gradual progress is the law
of advance to sound and vigorous maturi-
ty in every thing. But there can be no
advance without beginning.
How shall this beginning be made 2 is
a question for immediate consideration.
The exploration suggested, to be of any
avail, must be uniform, universal and |
thorough. To make it such, compensa- |
ton is obviously Indispensable We have
once tried it without, and failed; and |
without it, we shall fail again. There
must be an efficiency which the RESPONSE
bllity Of accepting a trust with COM
pensation, can alone secure. By what
agencies the work shall be done, it will be
for your wisdom to determine. 1t will be
worthy of consideration whether they may
not be such, in part, as shall be needed
for the general supervision necessary to
carry forward and perfect system of ed
ucational improvement; such, for exam
pie, as board of commissioners as in
Connecticut, or of Education as in Mass
achusetts, or general Superintendent of
common schools with County Superin-
tendents. as i'm New York Tbo,a No.,