The Delaware herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1850-1854, 1851-05-28
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mind of the people. Book at the Temperance
Reformation, who would havo unprecedented
seven or eight years ago, that the lapse Of q
few years would so envelope the efforts which
were then being made to disseminate Tenn
perance principles by moral suasion, as to
drive the true philanthrophist to appeal 10 the
Legislature, for restrictions relative to. vend-
ing spirituous liquor. Although our present,
future, and eternal interest is based upon the
institution Of the Christion religion; yet una
bated efforts are made, and must be made, to
keep the Intrinsic worth OF that institution
in clear light before the mind Of those, for
whom 1t was Instituted. Only let the banner
of the christian religion be furled, and the in
sttutien falls into oblivion. In what position
would our posterity be found in one century?
Ianswerina state of debauchery. Therefore,
we are so constituted as TO need Waterman,
upon the walls of Zion, and if it is his duty TO
cry aloud and spare not, why should the
admirer of literary knowledge sleep upon his
arms7 Does he conceive that there is suf-
.ficient virtue ia the present institution to de-
velope his most sanguine wishes . Has he
visited our district schools, and minutely in
vesligated The present operation? If he has,
what observations has he madel Has he OBJ
served good discipline, intelligent and well ed
ucated teachers, competent to mpart knowl-
edge to their young pupilsl He may have
observed this in some few schools, but in
very large majority of them, am prepared
TO answer TO the contrary. Many ofour dis
trict schools are taught by young men, who
are absolutely incompetent 20 teach the first
branches of an English education, or to gov
ern their pupils by judicious dlscplife. But
while we, who have children to educate, la
ment the imbecility Of commissioners for en-
ploying such teachers, there is another class
ofyoung men, who, in the estimation of the
writer, are still greater barrier to the devel-
opement of the Juvenile mind, than the former
, class | have reference to that class Of young
men, who have their minds fixed upon some
profession. The preceptorship ofthe schools,
in which they are engaged, is mere subor-
dlnate, secondary object, a vehicle to con-
vey them to their destined profession. Are
such young men interested for tbe-wellarc Of
our children? answer, positively they are
not Many of them look upon their employ
ment with perfect contempt, it being bust
ness far beneath their pedantry pride; and
who when they shall have driven to their in
! tended profession, would actually be ashamed
of the vehicle upon which they rode. Now,
Mr.. Editor, so long as we are saddlod with
these two classes of young men, as the pre-
ceptors for our children; just sofong will ed
ucation be on the retrograde. And, sir, until
the intrinsic worth of judcious teachers is
rightly appreciated, men who ore not above
their business, and whose talents are adequate
TO their all important duty Of mparing know
ledge to their pupils. repeat, until we set a
right estimate upon the labors Of competent
;. and experienced teachers, our pockets will be
robbed, the precious time of our children will
be trodden under foot, and error will grow
luxuriantly, where truth and knowledge should
be cultivated. If -Erperientia est ol'ta0'u'
magistor, was the expression Of Heather
writer. Shall we, a free, intelligent ane
christian people shut down the door of expe
rience relative to the education Of our children
A man 10 become proficient in any business
must. follow it some considerable time
SchooI-teaching should become profession
itself, il should be honored and cherished a
such, and moi a mere vehicle to convey u
across the barren mountain to profession
I Now, Mr.. Editor, in conclusion ! hope you
sir, will raise your voice, and pen too, in vim
9 dication of that cause, which the writer ha
: so specifically limited at. You, sir, can te
o US how TO improve our farms; how to rails
a grain, and especially when TO pay for our pa
i ser; and why not suggest some plan to edu
S cate our childrenl The writer of this articl
g has made the above remarks in general term
g and also in profound sincerity.
e BONUS FIDES.
i. Correspondence Of the "DelaarGye Herald. ,