The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-26
For the Spirit OF Democracy.
COMMON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

ond year, OF the Monroe County Common
School Association, will be held in the town
Of Woodsield, on the first Saturday Of
December next, at 10 o'clock, A. NJ.
The subscriber was appointed a Com
mi,,ee at the last meeting Of the Associa-
ton, to make such arrangements as might
be deemed necessary, for its next meeting.
In complying with this requisition, ii was
considered advisable TO communicate with
teachers through the medium Of the paper.
As this is the time the winter sessions
of schools are commencing, it is thought
teachers have their minds more particu-
larly directed 10 the subject Of education.
This Association has been laboring for the
last year under very many embarrass-
ments-chiefy in consequence ofthe care
lessness ofthose who profess to be teachers.
The numbers in attendance at the meet
ings OF the Association has heretofore been
very small-evidently ~evincing the negli-
gence Of those who have had the charge
OF education in this county. 1t is crafty
ing, however, to know that the subject of
education has. in the last year, excited
unusual interest in other parts of the State.
During the past summer, a State Educa-
tional Convention was held in the city Of
Cleveland, Ohio, at which place more than
five hundred teachers were in attendance.
A convention of teachers was also recent
ly held in Belmont county on the subject
of education. 1t is earnestly hoped that
an unusual interest will be manifested
among the teachers of this county on the
subject OF education this winter-in remov.
ing the evils that now surround the entire
system Of schools. Teachers are there.
fore solicited to attend the next meeting of
this Association. ~
The interests of education, Christianity,
and progress in the march Of civilization.
demand a vigorous and thorough system
Of popular education.
Notwithstanding The majority of the peo-
pie of Monroe county are agri~culturis,s,
and are necessarily obliged to devote much
of their time TO physical labor, it does not
follow that their minds should be %unculti-
waited. Toll gives vigor to the system, and
consequently renders the mental powers
and durable-nccessary constitu-
ents in the prosecution Of a thorough course
Of study.
According TO the last Report Of the Sec
rotary of State, the youth of Monroe coun-
~, on an average, only attend school from
i've TO six weeks per onnum; and this timo
IS generally applied at irregular intervals
during the session, as the experience of
every teacher proves.
The school houses of this county are so
constructed, that the best qualified teachers
can do but little in advancing the progress
Of study. They present nothing but pow
erty and inconvenience. This evil is not
confined to the poorer districts, but pre-
walls among those more wealthy. Care
.essness. and an entire disregard for intel
.ectual improvement is the cause. The
whole system embraces an expenditure Of
lime and money. amounting to little good.
The writer hopes the time is not far dis
ant when the great subject OF intellectual
Improvement will be correctly understood
by the people Of this county. And in the
language of the venerable DR.. Beecher:-
20, thou beloved land, bound together by
ties of brotherhood, and common inter-
est, and p%erils, live lorever-one and un-
liyided!" V. C. KNIGHT,
Committee Of Arrangements.