Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-04
tilE SCHOOL BoYs ABROAD.

tHE SCHOOL BoYs ABROAD
Some week since, one of the Edi-
tors of this paper, made few critical re-
marks upon silly production, which APP
pearedin the Jefferson Monument 1uaga-
sine," entitled Southern Civilization. p
The writer did not intend to excite the ire
of the boys who waste valuable time in
scribbling for that little monthly. much less
to call forth such unmistakable evidence of
bad breeding as the following funny para
graph affords; but such, it will be seen has
been the unfortunate effect of his squib:
The Editor of that obscure sheet, "The
Staunton Spectator" vents his spleen by
INDUCING in a savage onslaught upon us,
and especially upon an article published in
our Periodical, entitled Southern Civiliza-
ton" We would inform the venerable ex-
Observation-Disclosures Of the Spectator, who
seeks to undermine this noble institution by
attacking the Magazine, that he "bites
file" We disregard his criticism, because
we never knew school-teacher, who was
not pedant much more must he be in
tected with the pomp of pedantry, who has
spent the greater part of his life as an old
feld-school-master. In this connection we
would also inform him, that series Of u
Mon articles have been published in the
Magazine. Hence he will perceive, that
the Magazine is by no means an exponent
of ultra Southern doctrine; yet we think 1t
but fair, that both sides should be. seen.
The Principal of the Staunton Academy
has been too long accustomed to the man.
agement of bad boys to be disturbed by their
Ilmpudence when out of hisreach. fthe Edi-
Itors of the Jefferson Monument Magazine"
We're in the precincts of his own special ju-
risdiction, he might apply the "birchen rod'
to the palms oftheir hands, if mol elseachere,
as the most appropriate mode and at the
same time the mildest measure of redress.
1t would be altogether unbecoming, how
ever, in one of his years, to handy epithets
with youngsters, "scarce loosed from their
mothers apron strings" and he has there
fore commissioned one of his subs to play
with the testy little fellows until they get
in better humor. This is the more appro-
pirate, in consideration of the fact, that so
far from writing the article which has in
censed the beardless Editors of the ':.Mon-
ament Magazine" it never met his eye until
he saw it in print.
We are aware that comment upon little
pamphlets, like the one before US, gives to
them coveted notoriety which they could
never otherwise obtain, but we cannot re-
sist the benevolent inclination TO mend the
manners of the young men who have the
management of this in charge. We feel a
deep interest in the rising generation, and
especially in the students of the Uni
versity, upon whose standing the reputation
of the Institution depends. Boys, now-a-
days, are growing entirely too large for their
trowsers, and little wholesome advice may
not be out of place. Be assured, then, that
the stability of that magnificent temple of
learning, the University does not depend,
as is modestly imagined, upon the fate of
your ephemeral little magazine. 1t would
survive the wreck of thousand such. If
your work is designed to circulate such
Unreasonable stuff" as that we undertook
to criticise, it would be far better for the
reputation of the University if it were aban-
doned at once. We wish it distinctly UNI
derstood that we are not attempting to "bite
a file." Our teeth are not sufficiently strong
for any such rash experiment. We may
however in all kindness advise you to quit
politics and stick to your text books cease
scribbling and commence studying; don't
paint the professors horses or knock down
the officers of the law, but cultivate polite
ness, quietness and good order, and our
word for it the University will be none the
loser. Above all, boys, if you will "pub-
lish right or wrong" don't blame your neigh
bors of the press if "fools are their theme
and satire be their song" Endeavor to
make the Jefferson Monument Magazine, "
worthy of its object by improving both its
matter and manners, and don't "burst your
suspenders, if in the effort to aid your laud-
able design, friendly hand is stretched
forth to check your youthful improprieties.
P.;S.-The Senior regrets that he cannot
appreciate the compliments lavished on the
old-fsld-school-mastcr inasmuch as he has
never taught in any other than an incorpo-
rated Institution.
o. The General Assembly of the Old
School Presbyterian Church, in session at
st. Louis, has determined to hold its next
/ n,aetinn ON the third Thursday In Nav