Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-08-23
OUR PUBLIC scHooLs.-No. III.
BY s. 8. RANDALL.


Before entering upon the consideration of the
general subject which has been proposed in this
series of articles, cannot deny myself the plea
sure of briefly adverting to a circumstance inti-
mately connected with its general bearing, and
eminently auspcious to the future prospects Of
the public schools of Washington / allude to
the deep interest manifested in the success and
prosperity of these institutions, and of the sys-
tenn OF which they form n part, by the chief ex-
ecutiye officers Of the city, by the clergy and by
our principal citizens.
The late Mayor, and his distinguished prede-
cessors In office, as we'll as u large majority Of
the City Councils during their respective admin
istrations, are understood to have been deyotedly
attached to this important interest and during
the recent public examinations and exhibitions
of the schools it has been source Of the high
est satisfaction to observe the presence of the
present worthy and popular Mayor, and the an
nouncement and distribution of the premiums by
his own hand. In addition, also, to the presence
Of the Board of Trustees, and their active parti-
cipaton in the interesting exercises of these oc-
casions, many members Of the Common Council,
including the presiding officers of both Boards,
were in attendance; the clergy of the city were
we'll represented; distinguished members of Con-
gress manifested by their presence the interest
they felt; and large audiences of ladies and gem
tlemen evinced the high appreciation on the part
" wa ASiAo".SAoAoho BcuciAiiJ VI ILLS uoplc cL-
terprize.
These are truly encouraging symptoms, and
speak volumes in favor Of the intelligence and
public spirit of the city. Their effect upon the
advancement and prosperity Of the schools can
scarcely be estimated too highly They serve to
stimulate the efforts both of teachers and pupils,
and their influence will be widely and deeply felt
1t is but too common in our larger cities literally
to encourage and patronize the higher and more
select institutions of learning and to neglect the
primary and elementary schools | have myself
frequently witnessed with pain the vacant seats
reserved for the magistracy and clergy at gather
ings Of this kind, in contrast with the crogded
attendance of all classes upon the exhibitions of
fashionable and select" seminaries of learning
and, while | would by no means underrate the
influence orvalue Of these latter institutions, can
not but regard the former as practically far more
entitled to the earnest regards and attachment of
the community. For it is here that the toundG-
tions Of future usefulness and character are laid
for ninetenths of those who are hereafter to con-
stitute the fabric of society. 1t is here that the
children of the poor and the lowly must congre-
gate to receive those first impressions and
imbibe those elementary principles of knowl-
edge, which are to enable them to surmount
the disadvantages of their position, and to COM
pete on equal terms with the most. favored recip-
tents of fortune. And it is here, on this broad
and common platform, that all adventurous dis
tinctions of rank or station should be merged in
the noble ambition to cultivate and develop the
intellectual and moral faculties of our common
nature.