The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-06-10

tenoent q - fuol1c SCHOOLS oil the Secon
Municipality, has led many Of the real friends 9
ous schools, taxpayers and parents, but who's
avocatons prevent an investigation, to make inqui
ries As to who he is.
For their information, we note the pron.inen
acts in connection with his efforts to establish FREE
public schools throughout the country, and hi
exertons in behalf Of education in all its branches
Mr.. Barnard adopted school teaching as profess
sion some twenty five years ago, from choice, houg
his talents are Of an order that would-have enable,
him to distinguish himself in any other profession
but being an enthusiast in the cause Of education
he has given it bis whoe time, energies and talents
BY this he has conferred lasting benefits to his
try. His afdour and high qualifications attracted
the attention Of the friends Of education, some
years since, in Connecticut, aud he was appointed
Superintendent Of their State Public Schools, in
which he gave entire satisfaction. He was also. fol
three years, sole editor Of the Common Schoo
Journal, a publication that not only had an ex
tended circulation in our own country, but ii
Europe, and i acknowledged to be the very bes
devotedto Mat subject. 1t disseminated informa
ton Of character that not only exerts beneficial
influence upon the present generation, but will BE-
felt and recognized for years to come. 1t contr
buted more to giving impulse to this great cause
than anything Of the kind ever published
Subsequently, when the State of Rhode Island
resolved 20 establish public schools, Mr.. Barnard
was invited to organize and superintend them
He did so, and systematized them thoroughly and
successfully, devoting some years to them, and
before leaving, originated and put into operation a
system of Normal Schools, Of which he was also
made superintendent. In his devotion to the cause
in which ne had embarked, and his thirst for all
attainabe information, he visited Europe, and
while there made himself familiar with all The va
rious systems in operation in England, France,
Holland and Prussia. He thus had the benefit of
the experience Of those great lights of education,
Oberlin, Pestalozzi, Fellenberg, Dreter, Lanoas-
ter. Wood, Wilderspin, and others of prominence
His untiring industry may be best shown by
to his publications as an author. Though
engaged in the multifarious duties above enuIner.
ated he still found time to prepare works of great
interest on the subject of schools and education.
His work uponfhe subjec. of school architecture is
most useful volume, and exhibits sound and prac-
teal views His work, containing an exposition
in detail of the system of public schools through.
out the United States, both State and Municipal,
is one Of great value, particularly as one Of refer
ence, and shows an entire familiarity with the sub
jec and great labor in the preparation of its details
His last work, on the Normal Schools of Europe,
we have not yet seen, it is but recently issued.
but understand that it fully sustains the high rep
utation Of its author. -
These are his most prominent works, though he
has written more essays and articles to good pur
pose, on the subject of education, and delivered
more public addresses, than any other man in this
country, and stands decidedly at the head of his
profession. He is nowlocated at Hartford, Con.
necticut, and is acting the superintendent of the
Normal Schools of that State, which he personally
organized. He has travelled over more space. and
abored with more zeal, and accomplished more
or the advancement of the great cause in which
le has embarked, than any of the distinguished
entlemen who contest the distinction generally
warded him, of being at the heal of his profes.
ION, not only in this country, but in Europe. True,
addition to the names already mentioned, Mr.
ousin, Minister of Public Instruction in France.
rofesscrs Bache and Stowe, of this country, NAV |
Dnpareywith him as authors upon educational |
lbjects, but Mr.. Barnard has the advantage as a
'scher, as he is-eminently practical and pro-
ressive. He keeps up with the again which he
yes and although he fully understands the theory
hisprofession, he is welded to it as to let
Interfere with progress, the improvements that
uggest themselves to his active mind
We ~ss.!y -.y s.-s he 's-- sectional ks.a-
ng Or prejudice; and we predicate our decision
pom facts within our knowledge-some of which |
re give; Our schools were established iu 1911,
lainly on the plan suggested by Professor Bar.
ard In 1S43 he came to this city, and devoted
,me time to an examination Of them, and although
that time in their infancy, he expressed much
at their present and probable success
70 subsequently organized the public schools of
harles'on, South Carolina; hatcher, Missis- |
ppi; Nashville Tennessee and Galveston,
exas. In his short tour through the West, lie |
rged at every place, where spoken to on the SUBJ |
ct the adoption of our system, and held up the |
econd Municipality Schools as model from
Vhich to pattern; and, on his return to Hartford
timulated the authorities of that place to establish
Ugh schools by his strong representation of the
access of ours. We could give much more of |
'rofcssor Barnard's history if space allowed, but
eem this sufficient to answer this question, as TO
rho he is?
That class ofour citizens to whom his general
haracter is well known, and who would esteem |
is services as invaluable, ask us Will he accept? |
We have it in our power to give the desired infor-
nation, through the kindness of member of the |
'oard Of School Directors, who correspondent with
i'm upon the subject He says in his letter that |
e intended to have spent the last winter in this |
ity, on account Of the i'll health of Mrs. Barnard,
nut was prevented by the necessity of superintend-
,g, in person., the publication Of his work on the |
Normal Schools of Europe He modestly declined |
Wishing to be considered candidate, but adds
Should your board see proper to elect me, I |
ave no engagements to prevent my acce ptance"
his the members OF the board construed, and as
re think correctly, as willingness to accept the
flee. We wish we were at liberty to publish his
'hoe letter. There other reasons for his de- |
ire to become a resident Of New Orleans but we |
'nceive it would be improper now to refer to |
lem, and they would explain why Professor |
arnard is willing to give up lucrative and per- |
anent place, for one that is contingent upon an
nal elections, and gives little more than a bare
,ppoft to a family.
We have answered the inquiries of those Of our |
tzens who are really interested in the success of
II schools. There is another class, which we are |
Apply to say, is a very small one, who sneernply |
*, who is this man imported from the North I |
his class are of those who claim to be the pecu |
ar friends of the public schools, but by their acts
low themselves to be insidious, persevering enc.
les. Under the cloak of friendship, they avail |
emselves of every occasion to bring odium upon
Board Of Directors, collectively and personally,
ID attempted to destroy the usefulness of our late
perintendent, and now PREJUDICE the one elect.
ley.seem to think it very necessary that man
be tit 70 occupy an important position must be
IN in the Old Dominion, or South of il. The |
cond municipality is not a very productive
in which To sow aeads Of saniionalis,.a a..l |