New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-12
ALe..on for the Thoushtful.

years previous 10 August iao' y L $780,
lieved it impossible 10 secure the ooediehce Oh MS
Scholars without constant and vigorous use OF the
ferrule and other kindred appliances. According
tn nj, faith were his works he logged the children
most thoroughly on the slightest provocahon-
sometimes by blows their heass Win MS ,'A'-1
fist, sometimes with terrule. and occasional, -
the basinado applied 10 their oachs u 'e'9 80.
inc n his bunor. We believe II was never uooO.
ID Tho, h made full proof Of all the Instrumental
IL. knoun to the Science of Fiogging Tor Tue Puf-
,o.,. of keeping his School IN order During the
latter portion Of the period above alluded to we
have understood that ne mingled his hosgings
with PRAYERS and much pious counsel. But in
snite of all these means Of enforcing obedience the
School grew worse apace; the children appeared
10 love fighting better than study, andwere engaged
in the former quite as often in the latter and that
TOO in the Schoo-room The Scholars complained
of abuse and the Parents besought the proper au-
,hority for change of masters. An investigation
took place and, strange to say, the Teacher did not
lack defenders. Christian men were not wanting
who declared that without Aogging it would be I'M
possible to govern any School, least of all one com
posed of Colored Children. Like the old woman
who protested that to take away her total depravlty
would be destroy her religion, they commended
that to put aside the ferrule and the basnado would
be sure TO bring nothing but chaos The crueiiles
of the Master underwent a withdrawing from the
Committee of Investigation, and the hearts OF Pa
rents and Children ready TO sink with despair
They perseverea however, till at length the obnox-
ious Teacher was removed
Then came up the question who should take this
School, conessedly the worst in Boston. The place
was solicited by young man in whose heart was
an all.pervading faith in the power of Kindness 10
control the wayward and the disobedient So strong
was his conviction that Good was mightier than
Evil that he sought place in this School rather than
any other, because it was universally regarded as
the worst in the City and he wished the expert
mcnt of governing Children by the power OF Love
to be tried under circumstances which would serve
to make the result as impressive as possible. II
was in August last that Mr.. AMBROSE WELLINGTON,
the Young man to whom we allude entered the
School as its teacher Not one Of his scholars has
he struck a blotc from that day 10 the present. BY
those gentle means only which are in strict conior'
m,y to his grand idea Of Moral Influence in dlstnc-
ton from Physical Force, has he sought 10 control
the actions of those under his charge. And what
has been the result In the first place his kindness
WOE for him the warm affection and confidence OF
his Scholars and when these had been secured the
grand obstacle to the complete success OF his exper
p,ent was removed. The fights and braws which
were common under the old system grew less and
less frequent, the Children gradually acquired bet
ter control of their passions till at length healthy
sentiment in favor of good order and diligence In
study pervaded the School. The hardest boys were
subdued 10 gentleness by the forbearance of their
Teacher and won to the path of virtuous emulation
by his deep interest in their welfare. The change
in the aspect of the School said by those who have
witnessed il TO be wonderful indeed.
Thus far we have stated facts they were COM
to us not long since in Boston Our al
,ention has just been recalled 10 the subject by
in the Boston Atlas, in which we find
it stated tina, the Committee appointed to inquire
INTO the condition of the School since the new
Teacher entered upon his labors have just made
export, founded upon very thorough examination,
n which they express themselves most agreeably
disappointed in its condition. They speak in strong
erms of satisfaction of the progress of the Scholars,
he good order of the School and the kind and pater
la discipline of the master. The Report is said 10
Ne from the pen Of Rev DR.. SHARP, distinguished
Baptist Clergyman, and his associates were Rev. e.
H. p. WELLS. an Epscopalian, and Rev. CHARLES
BROOKS, a Unitarian Well does the writer in the
ATLAS cay
To those who familiar with The recent history and
previous condition of the Smith School, this result at
es;ed to by such uneXceptonable witnesses Messrs
sharpe. Brooks and Wells Is deserving OF especial re-
mark We have talicscd above the words good ORDER
We did So that all those who look TO the rod the Ter
ule and the scourge ms the only safe and reliable
means of preserving good order" in school-room al
housh the voice OF public indignation is banishing it |
rom State Prisons, and the backs OF convicted
ons may notice the fac, thar good order does e1ist
o an extent that may challenge comparison win
my school. room in Boston, In the Smith School, 4,
where there has not been a single bloao struck since
he present master took possession o. the sehootr0om =
Mark this all yc who scout at the idea OF governing by
moral Influences and by moral suasion Here IN tue
Smith School-acknowlcdged on all hands TO be the
possible field for the experiment OF governing chill
ircn by kindness rather than by the AUTHORITY FORCE
FEAR of the Lhiry One"-herc. among class OF chill
irer, whom of You profess to believe Heaven
denied the mental and intellectual advantages
that he has given to a whittier skin here certainly.
among children the poverty and often vciousness OF the
parents of portion Of whom aegect and bad treatment
ut home bad associates and the injustice OF society TO
large proportion have been the worst possoe pepaa
tiyes for such trial here too, where little more
than year ago the employment of the 6astnado ana
the most ingenious devices OF cruelty II not 1uStneu
least pRlllRted py MI you'
apostle and the continuance OF the late master In
Office recommended, because mider government would
be out OF place among such children here III this most
of the fields that could be selected for such
an experiment. the trial has been made. and thus lar
with success that is surprising only TO those who nave
been so unfortunate have faith in the superior ad
vantaces of moral influences over the degrading aPpan
oil corporal punishments and physical pain Let all
those who still adhere the belief that IL you Abolish or
hang the rod chaos will come again. contrast the pre-
good order in the Smith School, where the
persuasive only norce, with that in the Eliot where
the report Of their committee informs us the mpuls've
abounds and word for it, the state and prospects OF
the la.tcr-not their skins pcrhaps-wil be found 10 be
darker than those OF the former.
We hope this example may do much TO aid the
efforts now making in Massachusetts and elsewhere
TO abolish the brutal practice Of Fogging in Schools
That me tendency of the practice is to degrade both
Teacher and Scholar can hardly be doubted by any
one who will canddy reflect upon the subject while
its utter want of adaptation TO produce genuine ODE
diencc is a suiicien, reason why ii should be dis
carded now and forever.
- Col. NATHANIEL EESTOS soldier OF the