Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-05
lFoR THE sPEcrAToR.l
WHO Is INDEPENDENT /,

The idea Of personal independence, it seems 10
me, is more perfectly conceived and more com
pieteiy illustrated by that wonderful people, the
universal Yankee nation, than by any other men
under the sun. l lately fell in company with
one of these nobemen Of nature on pleasure
excursion to. the Springs of Virginia With
little of self-concet to abate nv confidence in
advance, he yet exhibited in his bearing that true
self-respect, which is sure to command The re-
sPect of others He evidently respected himself
as man, and this proper estimate of his nature
produced in him that peculiar propre " which
had lis foundation in respect for his race He
therefore readily received from others what he so
graciously rendered to them.
soon found myselfin company from which 1
could derive proht-in Politics, Commerce Ao-
riculiure, Mechanics, Domestic Economy, EdT-
cation, Theology. / found lie had received his
education at New England 'sDisfrict School,,
tie wac mathematician, apparently good lin
gust, we'll versed in the principles of Mechani-
cal Philosophy, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Botany,
NC. He said his parents were not able to send
MIN to eoHege-that they were poor though inde-
pendent, term did not well understand and in
voiving, according to my nomenclature, sole.
cism both in language and sentiment. Deferring
my criticism, however, waited on his instruc,
lions; for although had been 10 college, found
myself by this time, Involuntary taking The pos
ture OF learner, and listening with something
like the same feelings revived, as those with
which whilom attended the learned Lectures of
my Professor
1.-THE District School, he told me, is the pub.
lie Free School,--a house for the accommodation
OF which is placed in every District of six miles
square. In these school-houses, public provision
Is made to employ Teacher from four to six
months year, and premium is offered to the
people OF each district TO lac themselves to con-
tinue the school for longer term. This school
Is open to every child in the District State
tax od Yatorem is assessed on every mans pro-
perry to sustain it, so that the rich are made to
educate the poor.
n. by the custom of the country, every mecban-
sc agrees, In his iDdentures, to send his appren-
tice to the District School for three months every
WINTER, until he is sixteen years old. Every far
mer SENDS his sons In the same way. 1t was
amusing TO hear recital Of the literary esprit.
Wnicn is engendered in these little collepes.
which dot that land OF nobemen at everv siy
miles square. The schools of neiohborinG die
trcts come often into glorious conflict not in tho
southern mode of warfare, but with intellectual
weapons Of iie-iEspirng rather than deadly fioht.
one school sends challenge to another-produ-
ecu perhaps by some report of boasting or impru-
dent speech between individual members of Zach
n challenge, an form, as SENT and receized with
the authority vested in mutual friends tn arrappe
the time, place and mode of fght, and 10 make
preparations accordingly. 1t is generally agreed
that the parties shall meet at one or Other n
their places of study with the usual weapons
employed by the people Of that country-witb
each an intellectual pop-gun of whatever power
or calIb!e it may be, well charged with argument.
cooked and Prmed, and equipped as their laws of
honor direct.
The parties take their places on opposite sides
OF the mousse. The Teachers themselves usually
PRESIDE, and what is little remarkable, in that
country, there is no ha,o against these fghts-they
are even encouraged. The parents often assem-.
pie In great numbers to witness the prowess of
their children as the fathers and mothers did in
she ancient games, and urge them on to victory
and glory.
All things being ready, at given SIGNAL the
contest begins. Sometimes it is a trial to see
VINO shall spell the best. Sometimes il embraces
questions In arithmetic. within prescribed rules
Chemistry, Botany, Grammar, or Geooraphv. A
w9lo 70 DC spelled is propounded or a question in
science. II passes along the line, and if the op-
pos..s pa,y cannot give correct solution, it is
considered dead shot, and the captain of the
party whence it came. designates one man Of the
opposite side TO retire from the contest, and so ne
sconsidesed as killed Off. Sometimes il proves