The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-01-04


loan organizationsl Does the President
,f the United States feel less responsibility
han the Governor of single State?
But the great objection to the law seems
% lie in the graded system, embracing the
nigh school, the establishment of which is
authorized under certain circumstances.
For, says the petition, "At suitable age
for attending high schools, the farm, the
dairy, the frewood and cattle must and
viii be taken care Of" and hence, draw
ing the conclusion that "great part Of the
rural population cannot avail themselves
ct the advantages which the high schools
are intended to afford"
The objection is. ofcourse, urged against
this graded system; for what is high /
school, as contemplated by the new law,
hut the collection of the advanced pupils
OF number Of schools into Glasses, to be
Instructed by competent teachers, in stud.
les higher than those taught in the ordinary
common, or primary school2 These adj
vanoed pupils who have completed the
course Of study prescribed for the lower
grade. are scattered through all the sub.
districts in the township. In some of the
subordinate schools, two or three OF these
advanced pupils may be found; in others
four or five; in others six or eight, perhaps
ten or twelve. Their ages range, say
from twelve to sixteen years.
They would have, therefore, full right
TO receive proper instruction in the schools
for which their parents pay taxes. Tor sew
eral years yet. Now, the question natu-
rally arises, what shall be done with these
pupils provided they demand instruction
during their entire school age2 Would ii
be better economy to employ for each OF
the primary or sub. district schools a teach
.er competent to instruct them in their ad-
vanced studies, or to collect them from all
the different districts into one school, to
be taught by one or two teachers! Per-
haps this extra.democratic petitioner would
propose to turn out of school all those who
possessed the industry, the application and
tho ability to master the primary course
Of study by the time they reach the age Of
ten or twelve years, with the cheering
declaration that they had no right to be so
diligent or so smart. But for all that, we
hold that they would have the most un-
doubted right to be thus industrious and
thus smart. and TO demand suitable in.
struction, till they reached their majority
And although they might be in the minor
itys as to numbers, yet these .'min0ruieS
,Aave rights resfrred to them."
Now, il the rights of these pupils are 10
be respected at all, ii must be in one OF the
ways already described: that is, they mus
ba ainstructed by score ofteachers in the
several sub. districts where they may be
found, or in one central school by one ol
two teachers. This latter plan is the high
school contemplated by the law. Is there
anything in this hostile to the interests o
The farmer, or of the rural districts2 /
the farmer pishes to educate his chitdre,
10 The capacity Of the system. he can DO i
just as well as any other class OF men OF
earth. and without neglecting the ''iarm
the dairy. the cattle, or the 6rewood."
II farmers, under the new system. can
not give their children an education OF ,
high order, how happens il that the ter
thousand poor in our large towns and cit
les, do thus educate their children-ant
that too. although many of them need th
services OF their children to aid them il
making living. hundred fold moro thar
the farmer does?
But, says the petitioner, 'icarly habit
Of industry aud economy are the gran,
propelling lever of our moral obligations.
But, to secure these, must the farmers
children. in their education, be Of neces
sity restricted to a little "reading. writing
and cyphering?' lsthere any incongrui
.ty between a good education and "habit
of industry and economy?" Would
Knowledge Of geology. botany, agricultu
raj chemistry, the natural sciences gener
ally, the elements of architecture. am
landscape gardening, &c., be likely to i'm
.pair these virtues? We feel no disposi
ton to discourage these habits. for we re
we're them, whether exhibited in the pro
fessional chair, al the anvil, in the work
shop or at the plow. Still, however, whel
these virtues are combined with goo
education, polished manners ard cutiva
ted taste, they shine with brighter lustre
and command profounder respect.
=. Under the benign influence Of this gra
.ded system. even in 'sthe rural districts.
who can tell how many Newtons may b
reused into action, 10 develop the avs G
matterl how many Lockes to ex p!oro tn
regions of mindl. how many Marshslls t
exaltth benchl howmany Websters, an
Claws. and Calhouns, to dignity our hall
Of legislation? In these rural districts,
so favored, with the pure breezes OF Heav
en-, SO variegated by hill and dale. law
and woodland, there are thousands of chill
dren, with stou, frames and strong mus
cles. who, with the advantages Of thi
graded system OF schools, would. in
short time, exhibit some OF the very bes
specimens of humanity, viz: strong an
cultivated minds in sound. bodies.
gssFulI many gem of purest ray serene,
The dark, unfathomed oceans bear;
Full many flower is born to blush unseen.
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
assg B.
FRO BE Continued
sIErThe latest discovery Of the exca