Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-02-24
For the Ypsilanti Sentinel.

For the Ypslanti Sentinel.
Mr.. misunderstanding an article in your
columns, referring to the Institution in our
village, reminded me of the condition of our prl-
mary schools, and of the importance OF eeva-
ting their character.
A moments reflection cannot fail to bring
their Importance before our mind,and draw from
each considerate lover of his country, or his
race, the expression, they should be well sus-
tanned. For it is universally conceded that
four-fifths if not nine-tenths, of all the commu-
mites, in our land, attend no other schools but
PRIMARY schools.
True, the Seminary has advantages to be
conferred upon such as hayethe leisure to study;
and means, to support themselves in study
But lhen the great mass are shut out from
these privileges; and, who, would ask, are to
fill the various stations of honor, and useful
ness in Church and State; and where, shall
the requisite amount of talent be sufficiently
cultivated if not in our common schools.
How often are individuals possessing the nat
ural ability, called into stations for which their
education, or, rather the want OF 1t, entirely
units them, simply because the district school
was very poor, and they attended no other
Now. does any one contend that the talents re-
quisite for Statesman or Divine, is to be
found in the mansion of the rich, or, within the
walls of an Academy or College, BY. no means,
they are found by hundreds, in our village,
minds, not inferior to those who have figured
largely upon the public stage in ancient and
modern times; and who would appear as con-
spicuous in some noble, and daring enterprise,
for the good of man, if they were properly train
ed and cultivated; bur, they are in their rude
and unpublished state, like the block of marble
from which the beautiful statue is formed: So
these minds need only polish, to give them an
immortal lustre. But they are in the lower
circles of life, their circumstances ohlges them
to take up with the scanty fragment of an ed
Gcaton: gathered at The district school, dur
ing the broken parts of few short winters;-
under the most dscouraging circumstances al
most imaginable. There are four districts in
this village containing about six hundred schul-
ars drawing public monies, or, about one hun
dred and fifty to each school. They all want
an education, fof the idea, of remaining igno-
rant ia this land of freedom and equal rights,
is too revolving to be INDUCED for moment.
Hence, they crowd our primary school, to over
flowing: tie houses being very inconvenient,
renders it almost impossible to giyethem the ad
vantages ordinarily derived from the Instructors
,f tho common schools
1t may be asked, why do not the inhabitants
build more comlnodous houses for school rooms.
1t NAV be attributable to two causes, the one
is, as / have said, the want of means to build,
another is the Withholding the support of the
wealthy from these schools; and still, fear
part of parents and guardians, in regard to
the education of the youth around them, and,
the Importance of having the great mass ed
ucated in all the common English branches
taught in our Academies and Colleges. Be-
sides, the very bulwark and safety of our ma
ton, is the universal diffusion of general intel
igence. Let nine tenths, or even four-ffths of
our people become ignorant, or receive but su
perfcial education, and they would only become
dupes for the more privileged few, whose am
bilious aspiring minds, would change our fair
republic into an absolute despotsm, and hold at
the disposal of an unprincipled demagogue, the
civil and religious privileges we cherish with
so much enthusiasm. Morris this mere fiction.
When was it that Greece and Rome fell and
became prey to the ambition of the aspiring
few. 1t was when general education was neg
lected. 1t was when the great mass of the
people were neglected; till then,the great pillars
of state could not be moved, but then her very
foundation was RACED. Let Us then take warn
ing by their LAND learn wisdom by their folly
Educate the great mass with an enthusiasm be-
coming free, intelligent and enlightened Re-
public.
Should this find place in your columns, you
may hear from me again. Yours.
A FRIEND TO YOUTH.
J1NPIEASANT PREDfCA MENT.-An antlOuated |