Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-25
Hlislellaueous.
For the Freeman.
Common Schools, No. 2.

Mr.. EDITOR In former communication
spoke OF the psesen, condition of the Vermont
Common School System, and suggested, as
remedy, at least in part, for its many defects, The
adoption of the system Of supervision now in
operation, and attended with such happy and
beneficial results, in the public schools of Mas
sachusetts, where have seen its workings and
witnessed, with Pleasure The benefits arising
from 1t.
Excuse me for troubling YOU again, but the
cause Of popular education is one in which
feel lively interest, traught, as it s, with inter-
ests the most important and vital, and closely
interviewer with all our hopes aud anl'ipa,ions
ior the future destiny, glory aud permanence of
our beloved country: for all history proves, that
where little or no attention is paid TO the educa
tion of the miss of the people, there liberty and
the institutions of free government have had
no long continued abode. But, on the contrary,
let the people, generally, be educated let intel
cast over the land, penetrating and pelmeaiing
every avenue Of society let the human mind
be developed, elevated and refined ; the human
understanding trained, strengthened and disci
pinned; all its latent powers called forth and
nurtnred, 10 harmonious unison, INTO the full de.
velopment and fair proportions Of perfect matu-
rty, by the patient. and transforming hand of
education; and no willy, intriguing demagogue
or ambitious tyrant can lead it captive at his
will or, lettering its aspirations for liberty, can
long hold it in aubiection.
Popular education is our only stronghold and
hope Of defence against all the giant systems Of
error and sin and corruption with which we have
to contend. AT the bar Of public opinion must
they be arragned, and there receive their SEN
tence of approval or condemnation. How i'm
portant, then, that we educate, and give a right
direction to that opinion, that it may be- at all
times guided by we-developed judgment,
Influenced and enlightened by correct views and
right principles early nstllIed into The mind.
And where shall this be done if not at the
Comm III. School, where every child in our State
lays the foundation whereon to raise the super
structure Of an education receives the rudiments
of kno Wedge, and i,nbibes into his tender mind
sentiments and PRINCIPLES which. perchance, shall
be as lasting as life itself, exerling an influence
upon all the future character and conduct of the
man?
In order that the Common School may fulfil
its true mission, aud execute well the important
trust committed to its charge 1t should command
the attention and receive The countenance and
suppoH-the fostering care, Of society and the
State Government. Our citizens seem not to
appreciate its value aud importance, as they
should. 1t is, in reality, the most important in
terest we have to cherish, and the one which
calls loudest for the attention of all classes of
society. but alas, It seems, loo often, to be re-
garded as matter OF very little Importance
Our ,izeas and Legislature seem 10 consider il
a small matter-a subjcl of minor Importance,
almost or quite beneath their notice. They
seem to think 1t unman'y to discuss and delibe.
rate upon things pertaining to children, sch ,ols,
school houses, and teaclers.
Banks must have commissioner and there
must be General Banking Law to facilitate
The business, there must be General Corpora
tion Law, we must have inspectors OF -four aud
hops, wood and lumber measurers fence viewers,
&c &c.; besides, foil one third or more, Of the
sessions OF our Legislatures must be consumed
in creating, and attending to the interests of
banks, ma nufaciurng companies, railroad and
hotel companies, &c. but whentv yer there is a
proposition introduced to attend to the interests
OF Common Schools, to comply with the proyis-
ions of the statute, by eIecling State Supern-
tendent, it is indefinitely postponed, or laid upon
the table never to be called up.
Our whole system Of supervision was faulty
and imperfect a, first, and from lack or loss Of
confidence on the part of the people, as well as
want Of compliance with and execution Of lts
provisions, it has become perfectly useless, rotten
to the very core, in fact, we have had no super
vision since the Legislature have neglected to
6I the Office Of State Superintendent, for the
action Of the Town Superintendents cannot be
called supervision. They merely examine
teachers as matter Of form alone, many of
them, If not all, visiting the school only once,
and then only for few moments and there are
some within the range of our observation who
have not visited the schools, nominally under
their charge during their term Of Office. The