American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-31
CORPOREAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS.


| GENTLEMEN: l have enjoyed the extreme
qualification of attending several meetings of
| the "TEACuERs' ASSOCIATION" held every Sa-
tsirday evening at the Smithsonian Institution.
When listened to the interesting lectures and
discussions as given and conducted by the seve-
raj teachers Of this city, have been surprised
that greater number of persons were not in
attendance.
The question as to the propriety of abolishRg
corporal punishment from our schools which has
been the subject of discussion for several sue
cessive meetings, has elected much that was IN
structive and amusing.
One of the female teachers-for several of
them have appeared to take deep and lively
interest in the discussion-presented written
reply to several speakers of previous meeting
an outline Of which, think, some at least of
your readers would be pleased to see in the
columns of the Telegraph, which was read as
follows: .'' w..
In presenting few thoughts to your notice
| am aware that those who believe that the rod
is the most direct mode Of appealing to the feel.
ings of the young are favored with popular
| opinion, long established usage and, above ALL
| the strong tendencies of their own nature to
support and establish their views. But an ex-
animation of the Divine law leads to the con-
| cluson, that conscience is made the basis of
policy; and, in proportion as human laws de-
part from that groundwork, error and evil are
the sure result. In view of that, array the
public institutions, whether for the confinement
Of criminals, the restraint Of the insane, the
promotion of literature, the government of com
munities, or the discipline of families, and will
you not find that their or failure is char
acterized by the use, or abuse, of moral obiga
tion?
A highly esteemed teacher of this association
asserts that il has failed To him | would saw
that the battle Of truth and mercy seems often
to fail, but is always progressing; and when the
scaffoldng shall fall, the temple of love will
appear in all its beautiful proportions. To the
eye of faith the effervescences of the day. termed
by him =" the spirit of the age" go to show
that there is in the public mind feeling after
something better-a searching-for of that depth
and extent of benevolence and love introduced
Mt the birth of the Holy Redeemer. 1t is work
ing its way, and elevating and purifying our
moral and social character, and will finally har-
monize with the purposes of God, and place the
instructor of youth in that high position from
which word, or look, shall have the force of
command, and his moral and intellectual ascen-
dency, in all its influences and results will pro-
mote the true end of moral government
| reverend friend very naturally quotes the
wise Solomon in favor Of this law of force
That gentleman has expounded to us the Scrip
lures, clearly, beautifully, benefcially, and
often referred to the figures with which that
holy book abounds May we not, on this occa-
sion, consider the rod as that kind Of discipline
which addresses itself to the understanding and
the affections, rather than to the animal nature
of the child? Can mere physical compulson
be substituted for reason and persuasion? He
knows that we cannot whip child into any of
the moral or christian virtues, nor by corporeal
punishment force upon the human mind those
noble principles that gives to man the ascen-
dency over the brute.
1t is an axiom in philosophy, that in the same
circumstances like causes will produce like ef-
fects; and in anticipation of exalting the moral
character of the young, must we not practi-
cally introduce them TO the influences of the
spirit of love, that great solvent and regenera-
tor Of depraved humanity?
That am not in error on this point will
call your attention to the Sabbath schools,
where you have both sexes and nearly all con-
dtions. Again, still stronger proof Of the
power of love-the unfortunate beings who
compose the ragged schools. What power first
organized them into a body, and what potent
influence has swelled the number now in Lon
don to upwards of 10000 pupils, cemented by
the generous and self sacrificing love of 5000
teachers? -? Again, will call your attention to
the wide distinction that prevails in almost all
families, in the treatment of boys and girls
Rarely, if ever, do you find corporeal pdnish-
ment extended to the girls, even for the same
faults that would be considered fragrant id boys.
What is the effect? Refinement and humanity,
with their untold influences distinguishing the
female from tho male character What hinders
similar result in the application of the same
lawf
/ have taught boys from five to sixteen years
Of age ut least ten years OF my HE; never