Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-04-19
European and American Schools.


European and American Schools.
In her able and instructive lecture OIL
Ireland, last evening, Mrs Cutler took
occasion to speak Of her own obIerva.
ticn of the schools of England and Ire.
land, last evening. Mrs Cutler took oc.
cason to speak Of her own observation
Of the schools Of England and Ireland,
and the effect oflhe educational system
of,hcsc countries in pcrpetuating clas.
scs and casts smong the people. The
intelligent lecturer contras,cd the school
system of the Old World with the Free
Schools Of the U. States, anl presented
the subject in ligh, that should com.
mani the attention and consideration
of all the citizens Of our Republic,
whether native or adopted. Mrs. G.
said:
"Thr educational system forced by
England upon the Irish nation, has
worked out an incalculablc amount of
mischief, Why? Because they have
insisted upon State religion. The
creed of the Episcopal Church is part
of the prescribed course of education,
and the clergyman Of the parish has au'
thoriiy to refuse admission to day school
if the pupils do not attcpd his sabbath
school.
Who can wonder at the prejudice
that exists against Il State education
after they have reached our shorcs!-
They cannot at once be supposed 10
understand the principles of our govern
ment, nor the reason for national cdu.
cation which shall not interfere with
the religious sentiments Of those taught
leaving this part of instruction still in
hands of the parents, and through them
= the religious teachers they may choose
, as The proper guides to happy future
r Hence the obligation that rests upon
Americans TO conciliatc as far as posi-
+! BILE the kind feelings ofthe foreign popu
a,ion, till they can be made to under
4 stand our true object.
y If they could only be thoroughly i'm
pressed with the real influence of on
school system, their prejudices would a
y once vanish. What keeps up the in
scparabie barrier of caste among thu
= people o. the old World! Nothing Sc
strongly as their separate education 70
rich and poor. There is wonderful de
u mocrory in knowledge. 1t is the high
l. est ,oower, and hence must prcced'
u all other influences. Children taugh
in the schools, meeting in classes undc
the eye of the same teacher, learn to re
gard each other as equals. Hence, i
the child oflhc poorest foreigner land &C
upon our shores once enters our com
= mon schools, and compctcs with th'
> children ofthe wealthy and refined, thu
great barrier of distinction is thrown
u down, and be enters lle with the alvan
:, tage OF knowing fully how to measure
the capacities of those he has to cope
. with. Wealth is but shadow compa
red with intellectual power; hence. if thu
true influence of national system like
our own could be comprehendcd, ouI
foreign population would at once avail
themselves Of its provisions as the sures
t means of attaining social equality
Could the priesthood of their Church.
sec this in its true relations, they would
urge it as a sure means of securing re-
spect for their people, and corfespon
ding advancement in all the relations oil
life. II is not TO teach scorn for religion,
' il is not to unlervaluc its influence in
the formation of character, that we must
urge secular schools for all; it is simply
that we may not infringe upon the most
sacred of all rights, the rights Of con-
science, while at the same time we claim
for the State right to see all within her
borders are taught to read her laws, and
especially so, since their provisions are
of such a character that all have the
same opportunity to reach the highest
distinction conferred upon talent, integ'
rily and intelligence.--C!eu. Herald.
|
Tom COrwin-GOOd Advice.
Mr. Harvey the Washington concspon.
dent of the Philadelphia North Amer.
can, tells the following tale.
"About three years ago young man
presented himself to Mr.. Corwin for a
Clerkship.-Thrice was he refused; and