Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-03-10
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For the YpsiIanti Sentinel.

For the Ypsilanti Sentinel.
- Mr.. Editor:-Permit me again to address
the public through your columns, upon the
subject of Primary Schools.
| For to; me, theif Importance seems to de-
mand the serious consideration of the public
mind. lhave supposed in my former cores
pondence, that four-fifths if not nine-tenths OF
the community were educated at the Common
Schools: then it follows, that if the means OF
an education: respectable education, is not
| afforded in them, the great proportion of COM
munity, must abandon all hopes of an education
live and die in ignorance of even the first ele-
mems Of the Sciences. And how many a bo-
som has burned with unearthlv desires for a
knowledge of those sciences which analize the
works Of nature, but which are taught only in
Colleges and costly Institutions, within whose
walls, they havenever been permitted to commit
or ven hear recitation. What must be the COO
itations of those minds whose powers could
have been confined by no limits or bonds but
absolute and uncomfortable necessity. What
their anguish too; to their latest earthly stay,
their dying hours: they with reasons eve scan
the index of Jehovah's mind, as spread out be-
fore them: and the presentation of the wonders
of creative power, and goodness, are reciprocal
ted By the throhbines OF an immortal nature
within. The inquiries, must I possess nothing
but an euieled and conir acted mimi Must |
be shat OFT from this field of hidden treasures?
Most walk blinliolded at noon day. Must /
suppress M immortal nature and die dwarf ?
painfully answered in the affirmative, BY not a
few.
The inquiry suggests itself:--who can rene
dy the evils connected with the common schools
of this vicinity. | suppose the remedy lies in
the proper action of Parents and guardians
What then can they do to benefit their children
in this respect and thus give Importance to
Primary Schools.
True, parents domuch now, bnt is there not
much for them to do in order to reap the bene-
fits of what they have already done. The law,
makes provisions fer the appointment of officers
in each district. To them is committed the
business of employing teachers and paying
them, their wages. Now, when fall returns a
perhaps an entire stranger TO both parents and
children. He en,e-s the school, teaches his
term, dismisses and leaves without seeing "A
parent within the walls of his school ROOM
They see him pass to and from school. Per-
haps, make their observations from, and express
their opinions of the man. Yet, have not even
a partial acquaintance with him. And who is
he? why, he is the agent to whom they have
committed the training of their undying off
spring. To mould and fashion their character
and almost determine their final destiny: and
yet never look after the sentiments he teaches
them, or the manner of communicating it to
them.
Are parents then, would ask doing all thew
are bound to do, because they pay their school
tax, without complaing: which, is not always
the case. Suppose these parents were to en-
plov gardner to till small plot of ground
and raise few vegetables, plant few shrubs
and set few flowers: how carefully would
they watch the movements of his hand, how
frequently would they manifest their taste and
choice. Not one week, but they would visit
! their garden to cheer the gardner with their
commendaton Of his work, were he a workman.
Even the mistress, and the children too. would
all be invited to share in the luxury of visiting
well cultivated garden, and seeing what "a
workman was tending TO it. The lady, putting
on her soiied gloves, would go ont to set flow
ers and aid the busy laborer, that all might be
in proper order to please the employer, upon
few rods of ground, whose bosom, would soon
heave with autumnal signs; or, rest in the en-
brace of heecy winter. Yet these same parents
viii commit the culture of their undying off
spring, over whose infant pillow, with sleep
less eyes, they have watched the midnight oil,
to an entire stranger, without ever visiting the
place of instruction, to look after their chidrens
welfare, speak kind and cheering word in
the ears of the man who is engaged as the in
structor Of their own children.
1t occurs to me that parents have something
more to do in this matter. In their hands in
connection with the teacher, lies the remedy,
for every defect in cur system of general edu-
caticn. Should / write again, will point out
some OF those things while it appears to me,
would greatly enhance the value of Primary
School Instruction, and do much to relieve the
burthened minds of teachers.
Yours,
FRIEND TO YOUTH.
TO THE PUBLIC.
In the last number Of the Ypsantl Sentinel