The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-25
NUMBER l9.

address for the opening exercise. He had
labored hard and was proud Of the part
he was to perform. When the teacher
told him that he need not perform It as
there was none to hear him, could al
most see the tears standing in his eyes;
but he repressed them, and replied that be
would not stand for trifcs, and intended
to perform it anyhow. And he did per-
form it, commencing: s,sss2 3
"Respected Parents and Fs1ends-We
are glad you have come out to hear as ON
this interesting occasion.n 8 m
Yes, very interesting indeed, thought /,
when there was notsa parent nor friesd
present to hear them. AS he proceeded
thought that has parents were missing q
treat, the equal Of which they might never
have the pleasure of listening to, for it
certainly would gladden. the heart Of any
parent to have his son acdnit himself 90
well. ~ ;ih fSFt 9ss s<sssS AZ
The examination proceeded, but not
with that interest which would have mark.
ed it had there been number of the
parents present to hear the exercises.
could every moment notice some onescaet-
ing an anxious look, toward the. door.
But no friendly form made its appearance
that forenoon. AS I looked over that lit.
tie assembly and noticed the disappoiat-
ed coantenances, I thought to myself,
what effect will this examination have upon
these children? VIII it stimulate them to
further exertion in their studies? VIII. It
strengthen their good resolutions? Whit
| give them more confidence in themselses2
Or will it not tend to depress theirspifits,
break down their energy, cause them to
think that nobody cares whether they Inn
prove or not, and destroy all inducements
to prepare themselves for another occasion
of the kind? And what effect win It have
upon the teacher? Him, who has excited
himself SO faithfully to advance hispupils
and please his patrons. Would it tend
to lessen his troubles, of every day occur
renee, the trials and vexations to which 3
teacher is continually subjected? Wills
increase any happiness he mag feel in tho
consciousness Of having done his duty, or
in seeing SO many smiling faces around
him? Or on the contrary win he not feel
that his labors are not appreciated, and
will he not leave his school, with his spfis
its depressed. his energy destroyed andsa
certain degree of i'll feeling towards tho
people of the district? leave these ques-
tions for those who can to answer. -
But in comparison, or rather incons
trast with this, let me mention On exarna
ination which / attended since thesod6
just described. / did not arrive until saf,
ter the exercises had commenced, and
when did could hardly find seat on
account Of the room being crowded with
spectators And although / didnot think
the students were any better prepared
than the others, yet it seemed there was
more energy manifested. There was more
inducement to exertion There were pa.
rents and friends, acqdaintances and
strangers to listen to the performance
They passed no better examination than
the others, yet there was an inducement
to them to prepare themselves for another
occasion, which the others had not And
although they can claim no advantages
this time, / fear they will against the next.
They will feel that their labors are known
and appreciated. and they wili double
their exertions to gain the applause of
their friends in the future And the teach.
ers also, win feel that their labors hare
not been in vain, and will be richly re-
warded, for all their trodbles, by the aps
proval of their friends, and the smiles of
an approving conscience g
If parents would pay more attentfona
to their children while in school, visit tho
schools oftener, attend the examinations
and encourage them in their pursuit after
knowledge, there would be less room TOR
finding fault with the teacher. Indeed, T.
believe it is general rule, that ssthes
parent who is interested in the advance
ment of his child and is in the habit Of
visiting the school, never grumbles against
the teacher ~, s8 M
Then seeing the Importance Of thes6
matters, viii the people not pay moro ata
tentien to them? Will net the teachers
strive to awaken an interest in thens
Fellow-teacher, it is to your advantage.
You know how much better you can labor,
and how much happier you feel when all
are interested in the schools Then take
hold Of the work in earnest and you will
be richly rewarded for your labor. 81
If ever have the pleasure Of visitihrs
another examination in the CountB i
want to see a crowded house; and &c T.
should engage in teaching next wi5ler.asx
expect to do, / want the people to eoraes
out and see what I--. But step. r.
ear ! am growing tedious, and tharefoeea
must conclude by saying that should this :
article succeed in calling the attention Of
my of your readers to the subject con-
aimed therein, it will crafty the highest
wishes of your old and true friend,
nooIITTLE. JR, aa
Or place, July IA, 1855 Z n
@ William Pitt and Henry Dunaax
lad been dining together, and on entering
he House of Commons, holding each oil
r up as they came in, Pitt said to his