Daily American telegraph., 1852-08-18
PRICE 3 CENTS.
OUR PUBLIC scHooLs.-No.I =
BY $. 8. RANDALL.

II there be one thing in which more than anv
other the citizens of Washington may feel lust
pride, it is her admirable system Of PupLIc and
FREE Schools. This system is the growth OF
only few years, and owes its present excellence.
as well as the popularity it enjoys, to the en-
lightened and assiduous efforts of the City Coun-
ellis and the Board of Trustees. Under their joint
anu well-directed supervision, succession of ex-
perenced and wel.qualified teachers male and
female have been employed thousands Of des-
utute children reclaimed from the fatal contagon
Oh laeness and vice, and euabled freely to par
take Oh the blessings Of mental and moral cul-
ture; literary and scientific associations fostered
ana encouraged; and, what is Of the utmost i'm
portahce as foundation for future efforts, a
souhu Puonc sentiment created with reference to
this the highest and nobiest function of civil gov
ernment.
NO more interesting or pleasing spectacle was
ever presented to the eye Of the Christian NH
lanthropist than that which few months since
graced the public grounds in front of the eastern
porch Of the Capitol, when nearly two thousand
children of the public schools, neatly and taste
fully arrayed, bearing their beautiful and ex-
pressiye banners--tLeir beaming countenances
radiant with intelligence and innocence and
hope-fled in long succession past the assembled
representatives of the American people, to take
their compact phalanx in front of the august
statue of Washington, awaiting the presentation
of their earnest and eloquent petition for the
more general diffusion and expansion of those
blessings in which they were permitted to parti-
cipate. Well was it observed by the eloquent
and distinguished President of the Board of AL
dermen on late occasion, that the spirit of the
Father of his Country seemed benignantly to
smile upon that picturesque group Of teachers
and children there assembled, to remind the
statesmen and legislators of the land Of his own
parting and solemn injunction to "promote, as
an object Of primary Importance, the GENERAL DIF-
FUSION OF KNOWLEDGE"
More recently the several public schools of the
city have undergone thorough and searching
examination in the presence Of the Chief Execu-
tive Magistrate, the public functonaries gener-
ally, the Board Of Trustees, and many Of our
most eminent and respected citizens The teach
ers have been found true to their trust; the most
encouraging progress the part of the pupils
has been eyinced merit and talent and moral
department have been sought out and rewarded;
and nothing now remains but the provision of
more abundant facilities for the extension and
systematic improvement of this noble system
until it shall embrace within its comprehensive
and truly benevolent grasp erey chad Of suitable
age tcithin The city.
The Importance and practicability Of this ex-
tension, and the means by which it may best be
attained, will form the subject OF few succeed
ing communications
WAsnINGroN, August 1852.
The writer Of the above is gentleman Of
great intelligence and experience. performed
for several years the duties of an inspector of
public schools for the State of New York He
now occupies mn official position under the gov
crnment in this city, and it is with pleasure we
observe that our public schools arc to receive the
benefit Of his kindly attention and profitable
counsels. We would advise the preservation Of
his numbers-ED. TRLEGRAPu1