Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-20
THE SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON.

on the general advantages of education.
But there are several things connected
with the public schools of this city that
demand the immediate notice of the peo-
pie.
The following things are pressingly
needed among US:
More and larger school-houses.
4 greater number Of teachers.
Further extensions Of Arithmeticol and
Geographical studies.
The school houses of such a city as
Washington should all be of brick and
tro stories high. They should be places
as far as possible from the streets, and be
surrounded by plenty of shade trees.
Our Metropolis has plenty of space and
sufficient fruitfulness of soil to admit of
al these things. It is the duty of our
rulers and civil authorities to provide
then-and to do it at once.
The public schools Of Washington, like
all its works of Government, art, science
and reform, should be the patterns of the
Republic The Capital should be to Amer
lea iii these respects what Athens was to
Greece, what Rome was to Italy, in their
palmiest days. Why should they not be
So? Can any man in the nation give us
a single reason to the contrary?
The population Of this Metropolis is in
creasing at rate that should excite the
most serious inquiries in every patriotic
mind. In q few years we are to number
here at least a hundred thousand souls.
Of these the vast majority will come in
from abroad, with their habits formed,
their views with regard to education fixed
by the scales existing in the countries Or
States from which they come. Here the
plastic influence of the well conducted
public school should meet them, and their
children. Here they should be led, like
Hannibal Hanlcar to the national affairs
not to swear eternal hostility to a
Republic, but to VOW an in
purpose for the determination Of
ignorance.
Ignorance is the deadliest, bitterest
direst foe Of all Republican institutions.
Our constitution has no resting place but
in the intelligence of the people. Destroy
that-neglect our common schools-and
the liberties of the nation must perish.
There is one other consideration of the
greatest Importance in this matter. to
which we call the most earnest heed of
our fellow citizens. We allude to the
provisions made in our school houses for
preserving the health Of the pupils. To
secure this great object there must be
IN 1mprored renti1a'ion Of the buildings,
and an enlargement OF the grounds. The
space for recreation must be we'll shaded.
we'll gravelled, and kept perfecflp dru.
These are considerations of the gravest
and we must earnestly, press
them home to the business and bosoms
of the people. 1t is in this wav only that
the desired reforms can be secured
We are extremely pleased to learn of
the public exhibition Of the Schools that
is to take PLACE at the Capitol, on Monday
next This is to be an exhibition of Sun
day Schools exclusively, but the same
general principles will apply, on many
accounts, to the dav schools. Every
school reform that is good for the week
day is good also for the Sabbath.
The President of the United States and
the honorable gentlemen comprising his
Cabinet are expected to be present on
Monday. What a fitting opportunity to
present the claims to universal confidence
and patronage Of the Public Schools of
Washington!
The Washington correspondent of the
naiIy Tip,oc IL