The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-29
IOoMMuSIc
Public Schools.


MEssRs. EpToas: Having had the pleasure of
visiting the district and primary schools, at their
late examine tons, IL affords me great pleasure TO
testify TO the commendable progress and prosper
GUS state which they in, and that the cause
of popular education is onward In our city. The
teachers generally, deserve much praise, for they
seem to have done their duty most faithfully and
where the pupils have attended punotually, there
has been very visible Improvement. The excr
eises in reading, spelling, and definitions, have
been good. SO, also, in geography, English gram.
mar, and arithmetic, prompt and accurate; and
there are but few, II any, private schools In this
city superior. The public schools, therefore, de-
serve the patronage OF our city government; and
it afforded me the highest pleasure in finding that
the Mayor has given SO much attention and en-
couragement, by his presence at these examina.
tions, and exhorting the children to press forward
in the way Of duty, and thus obtain the highest
prizes. Ii ID to be regretted, however, TO find
few, if any, Of the Board of Aldermen and Council
attending these examinations; and, if one should
happen to be there, he is gazed upon with astoniSh
ment. But, when an election comes on, they are
great friends Of the public schools; but am
sure, they have peculiar way of showing it, So,
also, with the ministers OF the Gospel What en-
couragcment do they give to these nurseries OF
morality and knowledge None that am aware
of. hope, however, that another year will bring
forward all those who ought to be identified with
this important object
The primary schools, taught by females, may
justly be considered among our best schools, and
an ornament to city. In fact, the future pros
poets of our country depend very much upon their
SUCCESS under the direction Of we'll qualified fc-
male teachers. These schools have exceeded the
most sanguinc hopes of their friends, and awakened
new impulse to the importance of increasing
these nurseries among us, which diffusc intclli-
gence among our people, and have such tendency
10 promote both morality and religion. Ii is but
two or three years since they introduced
among US; and, from the success so far we have
right to anticipate that the day ia not far distant
when the public, or primary schools OF Washington
will be second to none in the world. To advance
this good cause, then, how important ia ii that pa
rents should take more decided interest in them,
and that those who have children should consider
1t their duty always to attend the examinations.
What can afford greater pleasure to parents than
TO witness the improvement OF their dear children!
But, is II not a melancholy truth that there Is a
want of parental INTEREST," Parents do not visit the
schools rs they ought, and seem to show total in
difference to the subject.
All OF us, indeed, have great interest in the
welfare OF the pupils these schools These children
| arc to take the places of those who on the
active stage of life, and WELD the dcstinies of
| common country. Prepared, therefore, unpre-
pared society must receive them to its bosom and
enjoy the blessings suffer the evils they may in
ilict upon it. An hour so spent at the examina-
tions OF these schools ia not unprohtably spent.
We would appeal, therefore, in the strongest Ian
guagc possible to the city authorities To guardians
and teachers to fathers and mothers if they feel
that the destinies of beloved country are gar
nered up in those artess and frolicsomc children
that gather around our stores, our hresides, and
school rooms; and that their little voice., that now
ring out the shouts of happy and Joyous childhood
will, ere long, be heard in masculine tone in the
busy marts Of business, in legislative halls
and giving Judgment where the rights of inno-
cence and virtue are to be adjusted; and that the
character which our children may now form viii
fix the dcstinics of many future household, and
perhaps, the destiny of our country.
| To do justice 10 our schools, it seems that Tho
time has arrived when we should have superin
tendent. The trustees of our schools, from their
very nature, can at best do their work but imper
fecty; besides, they have but little time TO devote
TO the work, and II is very difficult 10 get men who
understand the science art well as the teach
crs themselves. cannot, however omit this OPP
portunity OF giving much credit to Charles A
Davis, esq, the exce mt Secretary of the Board o
Trustees, for the faithfulness with which he ha
discharged his duty, and the attention he has al
ways given to the examinations.
| Ii has also afforded much pleasure TO tn
| friends Of education TO witness the formation of
school teachers association, composed of teacher
Of this city. II is TO be hoped that it will includ
all the teachers, both public and private, in III
| city; for such an association will promote muc
| good and produce a similarity of views which WI
promote the interests of popular education.
| In regard to the salaries of teachers, IL must b
admitted that they too small II is easy "to b
| penny wise and pound ioolish;" and the system G
! reducing salaries which has lately been pursue
| by the Board Of Trustees, unwise and unjust
| There can certainly be class in the community
| whom we should have more profound respect for
| or regard with a deeper sympathy, than the teach
ere. They should be well paid, and eve shoul'
not expect" as DIR. johnson once replied to a lady
who grumblcd about her servants, call the celes
tial virtues for three shillings week" IL is SAT-
1 by those who go for reducing the teachers pay
"that We can get plenty Tor a much less pric
| than we give" So VIC can. But they are mer
| birds of passage, not 10 lie depended upon. "Fo
he who works for nothing is an Improbable scr
want. For cheap or low priced teachers are ofte
| like cheap goods bought at auction, damaged prop
eriy, and the buyer almost always gets cheated. F."
The pupils Of the public schools have, therefore
| generally done their teachers and themselves muc
honor, and ne they will now have a vacation Of on
month"; IL is 20 be hoped that they will have happ
and pleasant one; that they will engage in no othc
bot innocent amusement aud recreation; and tho
when they return 10 their studies, IL will be with
determination 20 excel; and that those who hav
not been so fortunate as 20 get premiums this year
Will commence with determination TO be sue
| cessful at the next examination. Therefore II
| 10 be hoped that they will all study "good bcha
vior The principles Of picty, justice, and sacrc
regard 20 truth, love Of country, humanity, an
universal benevolencc, sobricty, industry, an
frugality, chastity, moderation, Temperance, an
those other virtues which the ornament Of hu
man society, and the basis upon which our happ,
form Of Government is founded, and then you vii
be blessing 10 your parents, and to the comnu
nifty IN which you live"
FRIENp TO THE PurLic SCHOOLS.