Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-02-26

TINS lnsormaton was obtained by the State
Superintendent by means of circulars addressed
to every town in the State, asking for statistics
in the several towns in relation to schools. The
State Superintendent by this means laid before
the people of Vermont large amount of valu
able information BY calling attention to such
facts, the people would know how the schools in
their towns, county and State compared with
each other, and with schools in other StatGs.-
Under the law of 1915, the County Superinten-
dents furnished much useful information, by de-
vering lectures, explaining new views, and
writing for the county papers upon the subject
of common schools, as well as by the supervs.
ion of schools and the examination Of teachers
We are told that all this information is useless.
But we wonld inquire of these opposers of the
law, what they knew about the state of schools
out of their own imme neighborhood, or
how much the schoc sAoasf y ed from year to
year, under the oit " 2ahf-- land if the schools
in cur own State increased in usefulness il
corresponding degree with the schools in the
States around massachusetts, New Hamp.
shire and New York ?
Should true answer be given, fear it
would not be much TO the credit of the opposers
of a better common school system. The law of
1915 was passed when all the States around us
had similar or more efficient laws to carry out a
system of education for their children. And
why should not we have system and ialO to en-
force it for the pro er education of our children !?
Ale not the minds Of our youth worthy of being
cultivated and improved, as well as those in the
States around us? Is it of less Importance
whether our children are properly educated, than
of all other interests of the State? Every other
department Of State must have its proper officers,
or nothing is done properly Then why do less
for our children than for any other interest?
But this must not be. Vermont must take her
position. She must lend her power and inHu.
ence in favor Of the education Of tho whole
people. The time has gone by when State
can take the backward track, and keep her posi-,
tion among her sister States. The hope Of the
whole civilized world is upon the Republic of
America, for the support of liberal principles
for the proper education of the mass of the peo.
Pile. With what anxiety do they watch the pull
salons of public opinion here, towards their
struggle to cast off the yoke of tyranny, that
they may have the privilege of electiug their
own rulers, of e0ucating their children, and to
stand as freemen upon the earth,
This is no fourth Of July bombast, but the so.
Der reality. There never has been such situ-
alton of affairs as the present time presents, and
we can truly say that the hope of humanity rests
upon us as nation that the aspirations of the
friends of liberal principles are turned to Amer
ica. Shall we as nation disappoint them p
Shall we by our apathy 10 our cearest interests
let the light which has already been shed, from
wha, has heep done, go ont? Shall we take {
single step backward No! Let us go for
ward, let us labor, let US strive to spread, b.
every means in Our power, the blessings OF {
well educated people, difused like the blessed
rays of heaven, to all.
Vermont must not hang back" but do he
part in this great work for humanity. Then,
we do our part, there must be better syster
for the regulation of our schools provided, an
upon permanent basis; one that can be deper
ded upon; one whose efficacy cannot be destroy
ed by any freak played by the Legislature Tor
part of it, by refusing to elect Superintendent
10 watch over its interests. The friends of &c
ucation throughout the State should unite in d'
manding of the Legislature a law providing ft
the election of State Superintendent, and ais
making provisions for the appointment of on
should the Legislature fail to elect one; and q
so provide for the election of Town Superintel
dent for each town. The district clerks shou
be required to make full return of the numb
of scholars, the attendance of each schola
teachers wages, expenses, &C., to the tow
clerk, and the town clerks should be require
, under penalty, 10 make complete returns
the situation of the schools in their respectiv
towns, to the State Superintendent. Then "
should have reliable data to refer TO, and kno
= where to look for any improvements when tht
were necessary. One of the best means of il
provemcns in our schools are Teachers Inst
tutes and the law should make liberal provisiC
for their encouragement and support.
e Friends of education, let US demand this
n our lawmakers. 1t is our right, it is our dut
= to do it. The rising generation will requi
. this at our hands. The progress of the age d
:. mands that all should be educated-and We
mort must present better face hereafter, or Il
star that never sets will pale its rays forev,
= A. r.
" West WardSboro, Feb. l3, 1852.
*What we mean by demanding the election of The o
GERS Is that thee should not he possibility for
. to occur in ordinary circumstances but that the off
should be filled each year, by election appointment