Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-04-14
C0rrfsponSfmte.
For the American.
ON COMMON SCHOOLS.

ON tQmmuN cthtVLos
Ma. EDITOR: 1t is well known TO
those who have thought upon the sub
ject of education, that common schools
are of more Importance TO community
than any other subject that can pre-
sent itself TO the mind, and in writing
upon them, will assume the position
that they are conducted properly, in
reference to government, system and
instruction.
In the first place, in the common
school. children, not only learn govern
ment, but learn to govern themselves,
they not only become acquainted with
good order. but the principles which
constitute good government become
established habits, which are vicious
and demoralizing in their nature and
tendency, are corrected; and moral
sentiments, if not yet, are established
and perpetuated. The common
schools may properly be called the
nursery of the juvenile mind, in which
all the moral sentiments are brought
forth, and cultivated; and as morality
is the foundation upon which Christi
anity rests; without which the Bible
with all its doctrines aud teaching.
would be of no benefit whatever to
man; how important it is, that they are
not only well guarded and regulated,
but encouraged and improved, by all,
for the good and welfare OF society.
In the second place, in the common
school, children learn system--that is
they become habituated, not only, have
a place for everything. but keep every
thing in its proper place, but to attend
10 everything and study at their prop
er time. In our common schools. as
well as in everyother situation Of life, a
well regulated system Of doing busi-
ness, is as essential to their prosperity
as government itself; and yet how Of
ten are pupils permitted to change seats
at pleasure, have their books DC, in
different. places, and study each branch
they are learning, every i5 or 20 min
utes, such procedure, generally, re-
suits in disorder and confusion, and
consequently the benefit or improve
ment, will be but little.
In the third place. in the eommou
school, they become familiar with those
branches, which, not oniy coustitate
the foundation OF an English educa-
ton, but prepare them for usefulness
in every situation, in which they may
be placed in subsequent life. | need
not here stop to insist on the great i'm
portance of the teachers ofour common
schools, being well acquainted with the
correct principles of those branches
they teach, in order TO impart correct
instruction to their pupils; for this is
already assumed, and is we'll known
by all. The injurious results OF those
schools, which are improperly conduc'
ted, in the above respects, can well be
imagined; the teachers themselves
have been taught in such, and those ol
their pupils, who may become teach
ers. in all probability, will continue the
same kind; therefore, | again, repeat
how important it is, that pupils arc
taught correctly, in our common
schools.
In order that our common schools
prove successful, parents and guar
dians should do their duty, in co-ope-
rating with teachers in this greatwork;
for i, is well known that parental inau-
ence with children is greater than any
other; and few words said by parents
in the presence of their children, either
in favor of, or against, teacher, will
advanceor impede their progress in
learning very materially. In those
schools where parents do their duty in
thus cooperating with teachers; every
thing appears to prosper with interest
and harmony, and TO the teachers the
duties OF the school room. are pleasant
and agreeable. N. +. WElBEL.
Eaton Ohio, April 8, 1854.