New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-23
The Common schools and the Free Academy.
NEw-YoRK. Monday, July 81, 1851.


1t is always gratifying to all true friends OF
Public Education to see journals OF standing ana
influence devote a fair proportion of their space
TO the consideration OF subjects which closely
concern all and 1t is no mere compliment TO add
that the IrIrne deserves praise tor IFS success
iu advocacy OF the cause OF Universal Educa-
ton.
But even m ournals which support Popular
Education. statements and remarks are some
times made, which. though based upon facts,
NAV have an evil tendency, tendency 10 weaken
and lnure the very cause they uphold. Your
Items announcing the results OF the semi
annual examinations of candidates for admission
INTO the Free Academy are my judgment some
times Of this character, although that OF Friday
last Is perhaps less olectlOnable than others
which have appeared.
1t Is all night and proper that the results OF
such examinations be published but when the
comparative numbers admitted from the various
schools are alluded to III terms OF unqualified
commendaton on the one hand, and IN those OF
censure, either expressed or implied, on the
other. NAV IT not tead seriously TO limit the use
fitness OF our schools, II those who have their
oversight are not vIgilant Ny main object,
however. IN ths note. IS not 70 ind fault, but 10
seize the present time when public attention Is
directed towards our Free Academy. to endeayor
10 correct somewhat prevalent VI vs. that con
sider have a wrong and Injurious tendency
What. gentlemen. wa, the design or object OF
the Free Academy Vas II Instituted tor the
purpose OF making the Common Schools entire
Is subseryient 10 II Was it intended 20 take
The attention Of the teachers OF the City away
from the mass OF their pupils to whom the com
nunIty are anXiOusly looking tor intelligent and
wpll-lniOrmed men 70 I'LL the various departments
OF industry and OF commercial life, and 10 con
centIate their efforts upon the tew who may de-
,lre TO enter the Academy Was il establish
ment intended to cestric, the branches taught III
our schools TO those only upon which candidates
are examined. and thus materially lower the
standard. and consequently lessen the influence
and value OF our Common School system |
submit IL t. YOU. gentlemen, whether remarks m
influential journals, or elsewhere, which tend 70
arade the schools by the number Of admissions
merely. have not the tendency to make that In
stltuton which. II kept ID It's appropriate sphere,
j. an honor TO the head and heart OF our metrop-
oils goal fora sort Of " s1~ub-race' on the part
Of The teachers-a result which cannot but be
injurious TO the greater portion Of the children
belonging 10 the schools
The Free Academy was doubtless intended d,
o valuable adciuona. stepping stone Tor such pu-
Dl.s a. desire land the pecunlay circumstances
Of their parents would allow time 70 make still
greater advances NJ the Hui OF Science -
Hence II Is a Ink m the educational cham OF
our city but, though important as i Is IN lts
proper position. We must bear IN mind that 10
does not constitute the entire cham II cannot
Go. i was never expected to DO what our Com
mon Schools were designed for. VIZ To educate
the 0,asses-ior the very plain reason that much
the larger portion Of the scholars IN our schools
never design entering that institution, muliHudes
Of such leaving the schools 70 60 OUT into the
business OF the world even before they have
reached the requisite age tor admission.
That our teachers should give all the neces-
sary facilities and instruction 70 such desU, 70
,nfsr that Institution de they few or many
In an item IN The Tribune, Immediately following
the preceding semi annual Examination, after stat
inc The number OF admissions from each School, the
writer IUmps 20 the following CONCLUSION. the data
Of which are insufficient 70 warrant Hence We
TIE sgVeroT management q The Ward over the Pu'-
&c scLCC.s