The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-17
From the N. o. Picayune.
AMERICAN EDUCATION. "

From the N. o. Picayune.
AMERICAN EDUCATION W
Its satisfactory to observe that there Is grow
ing feeling throughout the land in favor of educat-
ing the rising generation in the principles Of re-
publican creed-or, more properly speaking, Of
giving our youth American educations, In contra
distinction to European ones. The task Of break
ng the thraldom of foreign literature has proved
more difficult than that Of severing the chains OF
political bondige The prowess and courage OF
our focefahers redeemed the United States from
the servtuie of colonics bat the Influences OF
English bellies ettres have survived, too long, the
struggle that terminated English political supre-
macy on this continent Our schools -pariiculry
our colIeges--have contributed in great measure
to imbue the American mind with notions incom-
patibe with republican life. The best English
wrters-those whose works take the rank Of Brit
ish classics--execu.ed their compositions under
the blaZonry Of court, and the spirit OF an estab
shed arstocracy breathes through the best OF them
Not OILY is the influence of foreign literature
felt in the tone itmpresses upon American throught
but it has, in fearful manner, superseded the ac-
QUESTION of a knowledge of our own country--its
laws, geography civil polity, and past history
II has been common occurrence TO see young
men leaving our universities thoroughly educated
in the history of Greece and Rome-ther rise,
progress and fal-and sufficiently acquainted with
the Institutions social civil, and religious of Great
Britain, and yet woiully deficient in knowledge
of their own country. The exploits of Caesar, and
The virtues Of Alfred, occupy their thoughts tothe
exclusion of those bright examples Of forttude and
patriotism which the annals ef the revolution fur
nish Though knowledge of the ancient ropub
| lies and familiarity with the history Of continent
al and insuar Europe, Accomplishments that
become the scholar, statesman or mal Of the Ill;
still, We contend that these should be held subor-
date 10 thorough acquaintance with the funda-
mental doctrines Of American liberty, and the rif-
! cumsances and men who achieved it.
The great error in this system of education con-
sists in crowding the memory, when ii is fresh and
apt wi h legends aid choni les of .tioas whose
nstitut ons are dsSnlar or h. stile to those of our
own country The mind is preoccupied with for
eign lore before it is brought in contact wi Amer
lean history. 1t frequently happens, to, that our
young men, soon after leaving school. enter upon
business pursuits that extinguish within them all
literary ambition. Such persons go to their graves
without becoming familiar with events that should
claim the first place in their memories Their
learning all foreign to the duties of citizenship;
and Instead oideriving comfort and pleasure ;roin
literary "reminiscences, they are often annoyed and
fretted because the energies of free people trans
cends the Strengthened conduct prescribed Tor the
mnions of royal retinue They cannot, many
of them, distinguish between manners formed upon
the principle of equal rights and ruleness. They
have read so much of the knightly courtesy of the
presence chamber, that the sleek and soft deinsan-
or OF royal smile Is more becoming in their eyes
than the manly department ola people who should
be taught. from infancy, that there are no dlstinc-
tions in society worthy of respect other than those
that spring out ofsuperior merit and noble actions
1t is fatal mistake to commence the education Of
our youth by teaching from foreign history. The
period when the mind is smalleable and tenacious Of
impressions should be improved to stamp upon it
purely American character. The opposite sys-
ten estranges the heart from American institutions
by directing the admiration towards the achieve
ments of other times and other people than our
own. When our young men, for the most part
begin to read American history, the claiIns of
Washington, and Hancock, and Adams upon
their veneration and regard, have to struggle for
admission into bosoms already stuffed with foreign
idols. Instead Of grating the accomplishments Of
learning upon an American root, repubicanism is
treated as an exotic amid foreign plants pressed
Into the lnxurlance of an Indigenous growth. Our
systems OF education, on this account have given
ant-repnblican principle the advantage by allowing
them the first access to the uniformed mind.
| II Is All augury of better times that those who
have the institution of American youth in charge
| are awakening to the Importance of so directing
their studies, that they will grow up American men,
The first object of the teacher should be to store the
mind with such knowledge of the great men and
great actions OF our own country, will take the
heart captive; to impress upon the pupil some idea
OF the vast destinies that await this nation aud the
influences that it will exert upon the happiness and
| freedom oi the world; to imbue him with a noble
anxiety to contribute to the renown aud glory OF
his own country; aud to awaken in him sense Of
the deep and solemn obligation he incurs oftrans-
mtting its liberties uninpaIred to those that come
after him. When this is done, all the Greek and
Latin, British classics, foreign histories, aud court
circulars that were written will fail to corrupt
his imagination, or extinguish his love of freedom
! lie will form his tastes before consulting Westnn-
lister man-milliners, aud express his opinions with
out dreading the fiat ofquartery reviews good,
! wholesome, native literature, will be one Of the
fruits of the reformed system of education. Pcems
and romances commemorative ofincidents OF Amer
lean history, will suppant the thrce-sifei chaffof
the London press Foreigners who visit our shore.
Will be treated, too, with measure Of Ics. e.,-
meted out according to their claims to considera-
ton and hospitality. We would never more wit
ness the humiliating spectacle OF grown men, tree
and ~ the ful9ess of yeats, bringing shame upon
themselves and their country, by prostraiiug them
selves in alteration ofeyery foreign fiddler, dancing
woman. sCIihhlar fzzv linned ad. eniiIreI lln