The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-10-31
For the Spirit of Democracy.
To School Teachers.

occasions, have been admonished of the
fact, may not think US too importunate or
for dropping few more words
upon the same subject.
The importance of School Teachers
Meetings we deem SO great, that we can
not feel our duty to be done until we have
availed ourselves of every opportunity of
it upon the minds Of our fellow
laborers in the cause of education. But !
we cannot more efectually accomplish
this, than by submitting for your consid-
Grafton an extract from the Ohio Jouraal
Of Education:
"The question has often been asked,
what is the object and utility of Teachers
Associations? Their existence supposes
Teachers to be class of persons similar
to other men, possessed of an equal pro-
portion of intellect and influenced by sim
liar motives. Lawyers have their Asso-
Citations at each sitting of the Court, when
they all meet, whether they have business
or not. They measure swords, (intcllect-
uaD, learn from each other and are bene-
ited. Physicians have their State and
County Associations, where they confer,
debate, and relate cases, and manner of
treatment, and are profted. Intelligent
Agriculturists have their societies, and
few are so ignorant as not to know their
utility. Mechanics have their Institutes;
and those who attend know with how much
profit. The objects of all these associa-
tions is the improvement of their members,
or those of the same profession. Where
these do not exist, but little improvement
is expected, and the presumption is, that
not an extra amount of science or intelli-
gence exists among the members Of that
profession or art
"What would the profession think of a
law student who would never attend Court,
before he was admitted, nor then until he
had cause to defend? What is the rep
utation of physician who has not interest
enough even to attend the county meet
ings of the profession; and what class OF
| farmers stay at home, and take no interest
in Agricultural Fairs? The same end is
obtained by Teachers Associations for
the Teacher, as for men of other profess
ions, in their meetings; and we may justly
attribute the lack of advancement among
teachers to the fact that 50 few have taken
any interest in beneiting themselves by
such associations. Many are content, il
they can only get certificates, (and that is
no task), so as to get their pittance of pay
often much more than an equivalent fol
the real benefit conferred by them upon
the children of their employers. Commu.
mites are generally ready to pay, or lay
out money, when they see that they are te
get an equivalent, and their liberality i:
directly in proportion to the "q'ftd prt
quo." So in other interests, and so il
schools. Why will man pay one lawyel
a large fee, while to another he would pa,
: nothing to defend his cause? Why is on
physician employed at a high price, Will,
another would not be had at small fee
why is it that teachers have beel
harping away at tune of a beggarly sub
: sistence, of $50 or $75 per quarter, wage
not equal to our best mechanics, Will
other men who labor intellectually, gre
rich on their fees? The reason is, teacher
D have made themselves worth no more
Those who have been members of an as
: sociation from the first, now have school
worth from 80 to 200 per cent more tha
: their neighbors, who know enough with
r out; and those same teachers are alread
offered an advance on their salaries of 2
i to 40 per cent, while others who coul
not afford to take an Educational Journa
4 or spend a. day or two in Institutes, ca
> grind away at the same old tune, withou
any improvement in themselves, in thei
: schools, or in their salaries. But few
who have been engaged in keeping ou
i Common Schools, have ever thought tina
J knowledge was requisite. much less pre-
fessional skill; while every other bushes
: is to be learned, even to making shoe!
. few parents or teachers having regarded
} at all necessary that a teacher should lear
: hts trade. Hence, when no other employ
ment can be found more profitable, ther
{ are enough ready to take shelter in
school house for quarter, when patron
: and directors are so unwise as to thro
/ away their money and murder the intellet
J of their children; but these persons see n
e need of improving themselves, SO the
il have no need of attending Associations {
= Institutes.
"Were directors to ask an applican
! Are You member of a Teachers Asst
citation? or, Have you attended an Inst
tute? before they employ him, they woul
. not so often be imposed upon by unworth
:. teachers. For he who has not intere
- - enough to spend one day each month";
- attend Associations, or one week in
- year at an Institute, can have but lit
interest in the case, and will not be like
!. to teach much as it ought to be taugh
:. Were the members to make themselv,
= worth it, there is no doubt but that near
: every district in the State would rath
= pay them 81 90 per quarter, than what the
/; now pay And those teachers who dero