The Yazoo Democrat., 1852-09-08
coMMuNIcArEn.
MEcHANIcsBTTRGE. Sent. LIST. 1852.

invite your attention, and that of the public,
to an article which was placed before the read
ers OF your very excellent paper on the 18th
inst, headed Common Schools" and BY which
teachers, wardens, trustees and school commits
sioners are requested to meet in convention, for
the purpose of devising some general regulations,
whereby the efficacy of our common schools may
be Forwarded The design of this project, is,
without doubt, highly commendable and re-
fleets much credit ON its projectors, but as in
of council there is wisdom, we hope,
II others than the projectors attempt some few
that they will not be deemed pre-
sumptlous or meddlesome, for there are many of
us who feel truly anxious to forward the cause Of
edoca 'lon and raise the dignity of our profes-
SION; whom circumstances will prevent from at
tending he convention with any degree of reg
uiarlty. We fully coincide with the designs of
the project, except the 3fd article, which is high
ly Objectionable, and altogether Impracticable.
Ihat article proposes a convocaton Of the pu-
pills OF the various schools throughout the coun-
ty Tor the purpose of public examination
The premises of this proposition from several
considerations, appears to stand where the Good
N~ttN
The different schools of the county do not
open or close their sessions at the same period
hence when a call is made for this great Con
gressional examination, some of the schools will
have ID all probability, just commenced, others
perhaps will have been in progression buta few
months. The pupils and teachers of such schools
will be prevented from any participation in the
proposed exercises, though they may be equally
as commendable, as those who participate
Hence we conclude, that unless each of the
schools opened and closed at the same time,
(Which is impossible) many praiseworthy pupils
and teachers will be declared from any participa
tion in the project. But this is not the ONLY nor
the greatest considerations The most plausible
pretext which is or can be held out in behalf of
this proposed exhibition is that it viii serve as
a stlmulant, as an incentive to action. The
students who cannot be stimulated to duty, but
by the threat Of an exposure, or desire to show
of at an examination, is bud Of but little
promise, rising star of but little hope. The
student should never be fired up with ambition
to excel merely for the sake Of excelling. lie
should be inspired with more laudable ambi-
tion than the acquisition of knowledge for the
sake of dazzling the eyes Of his fellow man
There is another incentive which Is much more
prompt in its action, the beech limb incentre of
the two, we prefer the latter, though we no
advocate Of ancient barbarily.
1t is notorious fact, that the most subordi-
nate and diligent students, do not make the same
progress with the same effort, as those of more
brilliant parts, and yet they are generally more
limited and sensitive to'pubIic criticism There
IRE others whose poverty, or delicate health pre-
rents from attending the school room regularly, |
consequently when selection is made Of the /
Students to attend the proposed examination, the |
hardest, the most wealthy. the self confident
md self conceity viii be chosen, while the poor
imid, or Industrious student will be left at
lome In this case merit Teaps its reward with
vengeance. viii not dispondency blunt the
nergies Of the meritorious student, who knows
hat he has ever anticipated every wish of his
eacher. And viii not the teacher here afford
mother opportunity, which already too frequent
y occurs, Of being charged with partially! l:
S contended by some, that an examination gets
lp an excitement among the patrons, and that
hereby, some are induced to send to SCHOOL
rerg is necessary. The teacher who serves such
otish patrons, occupies situation which is, by
10 means enviable. May the Lord deliver us
rom such But the movers Of this resolution
'erhaps say, Oh, my dear sir you mistaken our
meaning. We wish to afford our patrons an OPP
ortunity of witnessing the advancement of
heir children. If such is the design, we fear it
will never be realized We have attended sever
| examinations in our day and generation, and
re know, of a truth, a thing or two concerning
hem. Frequently if you accompany those very
upils home, who have been examined without
laking single bunder, and ask them the iden-
cal questions in common colloquial sty lie, ten
} one. you will not receive correct answer
10 sir our modern examinations are no test Of
improvement. No teacher will ask his pupils
uestion on such occasions unless he knows, that
is pupil is prepared to answer it. He may
lreaten to do such thing previously, but he'll
OF do it, its lesson business, mere matter of
ote. The pupil is drilled over and over again
n his particular part, until he astounds the ma
res with his accuracy and readiness, and the
eople are most gloriously gulled. Should such
pupil change teachers and be SO unfortunate as
fall into the hands of an Instructor, who re-
ards the true interest of his charge, more than :
le facinations which ravish the eye, or fatter
le ear; it will take him perhaps FIVE or ten !
on.hs to give his pupils Thorough knowledge
those very identical studies, and the parent +
,o perhaps, all this time is complaining at the
rdy progress of his child for he knows that he