The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
Gbc Confaster Ggette,
LANCASTER, OHIO.
Friday Morning, g,NovemberIo, Is4'
common schools.

Common ScnOOiS.
The following remarks were made by
NJ Hill, Esq, before the Institute, on
Friday evening, the 5th inst. and are pub
lished by request Of the Institute. Itis
but justice to Mr.. Hill to say that they
were not originally intended for publica-
tion.
Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN:-We are this evening assembled
for the purpose of contemplating, for a
brief interval, one Of the most interest
ing subjects which can engage our atten-
tion. No subject can more worthily oc-
cupy our thoughts, or call into action the
energies of our citizens.
Mr.. Presdent:-The distinguished in
dividual who opened the debate in the
affirmative, has told you, Sir, "that the
common schools of the County, as they
are at present conducted are u nuisance
and should be abated."
Sir, of the evil which the gentleman
complains-that of a poor school is not
to be ranked among the least, for when
compared with one Of an opposite charac-
ter, it certainly must be regarded as a
greatevil. This fact will appear evident,
when it is considered that youth is the
most important period of life, and upon
the manner tbs spent depends the devel-
opement of future character. If this pc
riod of life is misspent, who can estimate
the injury that must accrue thereflom!-
But considered in pecuniary point OF
view, aside from considerations OF so Sc
rious nature, poor school must be re-
garded as an evl. For while children
may require, by an improper course of in
struct:on, months of confinement to be-
come perfectly acquainted with branch
ofstudy, how often may the same be taught
and thoroughly acquired in half the time
by judicions course. Thus, perhaps
months Of toll may be saved, and the
great additional expense of tuition. Il
is, therefore, factsusceptible ofthe mos
positive proof, that poor schools, wher-
ever they exist, are more expensive thar
better ones. At some other time thi'
fact may be rendered more clear by proof
But, Sir, who is responsible for the
existence of the poor schools of Fairfield
County?
That they exist and are too numerous
in view of the facilities afforded for bet
ter ones, / presume no person will de
ny. For, it is an obvious truth that it i
as easy to have good schools, as it is t.
have poor ones. They cost less time ant
money, to say naught of other importan
advantages which they afford. Who, thel
is responsible for the latter? 1t is natur
al Mr.. President, when an evil exists il
community, to inquire into its Cause
But in the case of common schools, hoy
seldom is that inquiry made! Itis pass
ed by with Indifference, or else the en-
tire blame is imputed 10 the teacher
who is made to bear multiplicity of sin
of which he is entirely innocent. Hith
erto, teachers have been the recipient
Of more than their share of blame on ac
count of poor schools, and it is beginnia
to be time that they should be exonerate
in part at least. Go, Sir, into any com
munity and inquire into the standing {
school. that is struggling for existence
and to the teacher, however deserving, ]
imputed all blame on account of a poo
school. Whatever transpires, conuecte
with the school, which in the least de
gree is faulty, the poor pedagogue is hel
responsible. Aud on the oth.r hant
whatever is deserving Of credit, is to
often appropriated to the advantages
others, rather than the teacher
In this matter, Sir, there are exception
but they are very rare! l certainly d
not allude to my own case.
That there are responsibilities restiu
on teachers, which can be discharged l
none others, / am ready to admit: t:-thel
are duties to be performed connecte
with the support of his school, which h
cannot meet, however willing he may
toundertake them.
The toll he endures, the sleeple'
nights he spends, the heart burning an
ieties he feels, together with multiple
~ of evils that ever attend him in h
efforts to do good--alI, all, attest that ii
teachers are not unconscious of the d.
ties they have to perform. And | do n
know that as a general thing, it wou
be too much to say that they are in az
vance of the rest of the community in Il
-
ment has been suggested or successful
carried into effect, has generally had
origin with teachers.
They have been, and$till are, foremo
in the cause And the reason why we {
not sec them in Fairfield County mo
Jealous in the enterprise, is not for Il
want Of ambition or willingness to exc
themselves, but on account ofthe discot
agements. and paralizing influences