The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-03-28
For the Ashland Union.
THE ASHLAND UNION SCHOOL.

in attending the Examination aud Ex-
hibition of our Union School last week.
Having been present at most, if not all,
the annual and ~semi-annual Examine
tionssince the organization Of this school,
l feel competent, as far my abilities
permit, to judge somewhat of its pro-
gress. AS this kind of School is yet in
rather an experimental position being
in. its adolescency, (if it has passed its
infancy,) 1 think it becomes a duty, of
those who feel an interest on the sub,
ject of Education, to mark its progress,
and give the public their views not on
ly on the working of the system general
ly, but of the progress of particular
schools, In all schools, much depends
on the efficiency of the Board of Direc-
tors, and much also on the character of
the Superintendent; for however faith
full and efficient the sub-teachers may
be, if the Superintendent fails in his duty
If he does not manifest the utmost So
licitude for the advancement of his pu-
pills, both in their studios aud moral de-
pertinent, all is lost. 1 think we are
peculiarly fortunate in the selection of
our superintendent. He seems just the
man for the post he occupies. 1 say
this not IN the way of hattery, and I
hope it may be so received but I say
SO because it is just and true. Teach
ing requires a peculiar talent, and that
talent Mr.. BARRIER possesses in an en-
inent degree. Possessed of a well-b bal
anced mind, thoroughly educated a
moral character above reproach char
liable in his religious views; mild in bis
government; Industrious, almost to a
fault, with an indomitable energy al
character, we might we'll conclude that
the progress Of a school, under such di-
r%ection, would be onward-onward only.
That such is the character of our
Union School, must be admitted by ey-
cry one who has attended its examina-
tions and marked its progress. It must
be borne in mind that this is only a pre-
paratory school; and after a certain de-
gree of advancement, the scholars are
transferred to schools of a higher grade /;
though should a student SO elect, he can
here receive the same instruction that
he would have in most of the classical
institutions of the land but as a gener-
al thing, children and youth are here
only fitted to enter a higher grade of
schools, classical or professional. This
accounts for the youthful appearance of
all those that appeared on the platform
at the exhibition and also for the fact
of SO few classes in languages at the ex,
animation. The examinations were we'll
sustained, and must have proved salts
factory to such parents and guardians as
were present. 1 have no disposition to
discriminate between the classes when
all came off with honor, but the systems
of teaching, as manifested in the exam
nation of the class in arithmetic, was
such as particularly engaged my atten-
ton. Instead of simply improving in
stereotype book-knowledge, the student,
when sufficiently advanced in rules, is
once brought into a practical knowl-
of the science. The problems Civ
en- to the class, instead of being copied
from some Ito use a modern phrase,)
set bunker form, are given extempore,
and are of such a character, as to lead
the mind to a business train of thought,
aud the scholars showed by their prompt.
ness hat they had secured a practical
knowledge of the science. The examina-
tions on this branch alone would have sat
isfed any reasonable person that his child
was being thoroughly and practically
taught. Nearly every department in
the school manifests the same character
in teaching.
The exhibition on Thursday evening
and Friday afternoon and evening, were
highly satisfactory. The speaking, both
of selected and original pieces, was re-
spectacle. Some of the orations showed
much talent and tact; and would com
pare we'll with the best efforts of .no
schools of higher grade. An admira-
BILE trait in the character of most of the
pieces, both oral and written, was a
deep tone of moral feeling; and as the
speakers were from all of the several de-
partments in the school, community may
rest assured hat in every department of
this institution the moral department of
the scholar receives the strictest atten-
ton and cultivation.
The young Ladies' compositions, al
most without an exception, were read in
a tone of voice, and in a never
before practiced here and if their in
trinsic merits were not far superior, they
at least had the merit of being better
heard and understood, than upon any
former occasion for the last ten years.
I would like to speak of the Annual
Address of Rev. j. RoBINsoN, and the
Valedictory by c. MIGRANTS, but as
copies have been solicited for publica-
ton, their merits I hope will be apprc-
ciated. I will. however say, that the
Rev. did not go far above the clouds for
one half hour, and scatter roses and dali