Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-12-18
Superintendent of Public Education.

SAPS&A AAS~4&0VA4A "a a ~
Dear Sir:-tiaving been nominated by the
Wing State Convention, candidate for the office
of State Superintendent of Public Education,
and the near approach of the election, not CIV
ing me an opportunity to personally present my
views, | take the liberty of communicating with
YOU through the means of the mail.
Since | have been able to take a part in mat
tiers Of public interest, | have not been an un-
interested spectator Of the working of our COM
mon school system, and | have always taken
pride in facilitating every measure that would
extend TO all, the blessings Of substantial edu-
cation. The duties of the office of State Super
ntendant of Public education should include a
strict attention to the carrying out of the laws
already in force regulating the department, and
the careful gathering together from every part
of the State, facts relative to the practical ope.
ration of the present system, that an annual re-
port may be made to the General Assembly,
that will be useful as 4 guide In any future
Legislative enactments, made efficient, until
the facilities of a good education are extended
to every citizen of the State.
An interest in the course of common schools,
is not with me of recent date, more than sic
gears ago, while abiding to the subject of edu-
cation, | thus expressed myself through the
New Orleans press.
Common School Educati0n.-"One Of the
most important provisions in the new Constitu-
ton is that portion which relates to the esta-
blishment OF a permanent system OF common
schools. The importance Of this subject cannot
be overrated, and yet it is difficult to bring pub
lie opinion to bear upon it, so as to make it in
any way a prominent principle of the Govern
ment. Legislature may appropriate money by
thousands Of dollars, as has been the case for
years in Louisiana, yet no visible good is the
result; no absolute advantage is gained. A
want Of a proper system has been glaringly ex-
hibited throughout. Colleges, so called, have
sprung into existence, had asickly growth, and
ceased to exist, various experiments have been
tried to remedy the evils complained of, but
without avail.
The great mistake that Louisiana has made
has been in endowing Universities when there
were no primary schools to prepare students for
the higher departments Of literature. We are
much more apt to vote money way upon things
bearing high sounding names and requiring no
particular attention, than to provide for the hum
bic wants Of a small community, that demands
the d~rudgery of going into details. Yet the
common schools, that merely inpart the rudl-
ments Of Education, are much more important
to the public at large than the colleges upon
which SO much money and Legislation have
been expended.
To form a general school syatem for our State
will be difficult, and require the greatest care.
We have two languages to provide for, instead
of one, and an extended territory ~sparse!yl y pop
ulated. To meet all these demands will be al
most impossible, therefore the greatest care in
framing the design is necessary. To render a
school system satisfactory, it must be equal in
its operations, and command indiscriminately
the patronage ofevery PERSONA the community.
The humble poor, among whose children we Of
ten find originating the master spirits OF our
country. must not feel that the common school
is any thing but a place Of honor, and that in
vidious distinction are made against those who
attend them. The cause of instruction must,
therefore embrace the whole routine as far as it
goes, that can be obtained in any school of the
same pretention, and the teacher or teachers
must be ofthe highest order, not only for ability
to fulfil the duties of the Office, but also for high
moral character
My views thus years ago expressed, have on
ly been matured by time, and if | should by the
partially of my fellow citizens be placed in the
position to act officially for the advancement of
in the State, | shall endeavor to carry
them out, and by a faithful performance of ey-
cry duty imposed upon me, endeavor to estab-
fish the reputation Of a faithful and conscien~
tious public officer. With great respect,
Your ob't seyr't.
T. B. THORPE.