Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-09-12
For the Journal.


Eduent1oG-No. @.
Mr. Editor have perused with considerable in
terest an article in your paper of last week, from
the pen of :. An Old Field Teacher" am sincere
y grafed at my success in attracting the attention
and enlsting the efforts of SO valuable co-laborer
in the great work of Educational Reform. If my
articles should tend, in any degree to awaken new
and inquiring spirit the subject of education and
enlist the ADLER and more appropriate efforts fscfool
Teachers in the grave work my own feeble exertons
will be than compensated, and my liveliest an
ticipations for their realized. An app
probation of the influence of music once led
teur to remark that, provided he could make the
songs, he cared not who made the laws of the peo-
pie" If could arouse the school Teachers to a
consciousness of their duties and responsibilities and
lead them to appreciate themselves their high and dig
nfed calling care not what defects might prevail
in the details of our common school laws, good
would result than any tinkerng at legislation could
accomplish.
In my opinion, the occupation Of school Teacher,
though high dignifed ard useful is less appreciated
and less remunerated in North Carolina, in proper
ton to the services rendered than that Of any other
occupation profession. One of the most honora-
BILE and noble callings ever followed by it is
notifying to the great disrespect with which it
is generally looked upon by society How often do
hear the teacher charged with the desire Of
whole soul engaged in the work, and approaching
! his OVID opportunities for educating and morazing
| the community. No man is calculated to exert a
more salutary influence upon the morals of society,
and wholesome and lasting impressions upon
the rising generation, than the school master and
| yet him disregarded, and often mentioned
with dsrespect and sometimes with derlsion, IN No.
Carolina This is, in great degree, owing to a want
of intelligence in the public mind and to want of
a correct tone of public sentiment in regard to the
whole sub lect but let it be also borne in mind that
this Interpretation has, in considerable degree,
teen brought about by teachers Themselves. a" To
thine self be true, applies with much correct
ness and force to classes and associations as to
in an individual sense. The teachers in many
instances untrue to themselves They not
properly aroused a body; they are deprivng
themselves of the great benefit of systematic action
and regular organization. They do not understand
one another There is not that mutual confidence,
harmony and concert of action, necessary to that
centration of effort which is given by union and
ganZation. Let them organize, and show their rights
and Just pretenslOns to higher position In society,"
and then desirable appreciation of their
vices will be awarded them. The great idea of the
present age is progress-moral intellectual and ply
| steal Improvement. Onward ! is written in glowing
characters over the Whole face OF society All trades
and occupations than ever feel its galvan-
c touch And this onward and upward progress is
owing, in great degree to associated efor-to that
concentration of action which springs alone from the
magic power of association. Hence it is we see
2 political mechanical, medical, temperance and re
gous associations and conventions everywhere FORM
ing throughout the country. Men are learning the
value of systematic harmonious action. This is the
great secret the possession of which has enabled the
North to outsrp the South in the great of ply
sical, mechanical, commercial and literary attain
ments But the South now have determined no lon
ger to remain laggard in the race but to increase
and concentrate her own native elements of power,
of wealth and of greatness, by outstanding her
political well as intellectual and physical resour
ces
Let the school teachers of our State be moved to
action by kindred inspiration. Let them hold con-
ventons has been done in other States adopt their
constitution and rules establish uniform system of
instructions; hold their regular meetings County
State) establish and patronze educational journals,
and take such other steps protect their rights and
interests and to advance the of education.
Justice to themselves require and the spirit of the
times demand and be assured the great popular heart
will be reached and caused to throb with the pulsa
# tiOns of righteous public approval. This subject,
e Mr. Editor is worthy the very able pen of An Old
e Field Teacher Let me urge him to continue in
: your paper his communications education, and
particularly this branch of the system Hei evil
IDENTIFY able to be efficient co-worker in the great
e field. He writes with the candor, intelligence and
T. feelings of gentleman and from his occupation, is
It calculated to do a vast deal of good
l. In that portion of my article to which An Old
= Field Teacher objects, | expressly refrained from
recommending any list of textbooks for our common
S schools, and appealed to those officially con-
nected with the operations of the system, go for
ward and act in the matter. 1t is true. remarked
l. that preferred - those good old authors" But
did this not because thought them the best school
- books extant, for admitted they had : been i'm
If proved upon but probably better than the nu-
Il merous catch-penny books used to great extent in
our common schools. did this also. for the purpose
is of contrasting my ideas of proper textbooks with the
present everncreasing desire for change everywhere
IS prevailing Why, sir understand that the science
of geography has been reduced to musical numbers,
and child is actually learnt to sing itself into
knowledge of that study Am | not sustained by
very excellent authority in repudiating these number
l. less pseudoschoo books? The New York State So
patient and persevering attention has been directed
to the selection of proper textbooks have declared
p that of one hundred and twenty spelling books
ant. purportng to exhibit correct arrangement of
e the elements of our language ticO only make any
= near approaches to proper standard works. And
o. the one most favoraby recommended, is Cobb's new
D. spelling book OF the three hundred and fifty gram
III mars of our language hundred and sixty 70 ur
I'll English and one hundred and eight-sx American,
that society has declared that three only, one Brit
IL sh and two American, be properly regarded
'e approximations to standard works" Now in this
III multiplicity of inferior books and in the absence Of
>, any authoritative recommendation upon the sub
IL ect in this State would it not be better to cherish
our reverentia love- for the good old authors >
than to them suppanted by works Of an inferior
8 character But frankly admit, if was in authority
1t or in any way officially connected with our Com
~ mon School system that would not recommend a
return to those good old books" should consult
flo,y 1.otoe kl.o-s