American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-01

A JUST VIEW OF THE SUBJEoT.-The Home
Journal remarks
"The overworking of an instructress in
public school has been the immediate cause Of
one of the most fearful calamities which has
for long series Of years occurred in the his
tory of this city. Our readers have seen the
details An alarm, at the sudden giving way
of the endurance of the teachers strength,
aroused a cry of "fre," and the eighteen hum
dred pupils, making rush for escape, broke
the banisters of the high stone staircase of the
building, preciptating hundreds Of the little
fugitives to the floor beneath. Fifty were killed,
and as many more seriously injured. Blame
has been freely expressed for the insecurity of
the structure, for the unsafeness of so vast q
number Of children assembled on the different
floors of SO lofty building, ETC., etc.; but we
see no allusion made to what seems to us the
first lesson to be drawn from it, viz the need
Of a considerate watchfuness, by superiors,
over the strength and efforts Of interiors in sta
tions of great trust and responsibility. 1t was
stated in one paper that this poor girl expressed
herself as unable to 60 out on that morning,
but felt obliged to do So And who does not
see why? Because she had not that trust in
the considerateness of her superiors or employ
ers which would make it certain that her abb
sence would be kindly inquired into and allowed
for, and hence she might lose her situation.
For the little price that is paid to the over
worked brains and nerves of teachers in public
schools, there should be some supervision, by
somebody, over the wear, tear and endurance
of their minds and bodies. Remote as was the
likelihood Of such result, it was the want of
such kindly supervision, we think we are safe
in saying, which has laden hundreds with the
burden they find heavy on their hearts at this
hour"
EMANCIPATION OF WoaEN.-An address was
recently presented to Madame Kossuth by
deputatioh from the :" Society for the Emanci-
patton of Women" In addition to an express
sion of sympathy, this address contained the
wish that the wife of the honored hero of the
day would communicate to these ladies her
| sentiments respecting their efforts to achieve
the freedom of her sex. Madame Kossuth re-
piled that she thanked them heartily for this
proof of their sympathy toward herself, and,
through her. more particularly toward her
country; that, with respect to her own views
on the emancipation Of women, she had in ear
lier years confined herself to the circle of her
domestic duties, and had never been tempted
to look beyond it; and that latterly the over
whelming course of events had left her, as well
might be supposed, still less leisure for any
speculations of the kind. 1t would, moreover,
(such was the conclusion of her little speech,)
be readily forgiven her, the wife of Kosspth,
man whom the general voice, not more than her
own heart, pronounced distinguished, if she
submitted herself entirely to his guidance, and
never thought Of emancipation The admira-
BILE pertinence Of this reply will be doubly ap-
preciated when it is mentioned that Madame
Kossuth was altogether unprepared for the ad
dress of these ladies.