The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-09-10
For the Nashville True Wing.
n


Your corresponding 1--WE Cann," takes ground
against the Central" system, in your paper OF
the Srd inst, and makes as good an argument
against it as it is possible, perhaps for any to
make. The cases l cited as illustrations were,
doubtless, extreme cases. Nevertheless, l must
contend that Ward Schools are exceedingly obnox-
ious, and that the system is faulty one In large
cities the District system may do very we-in fact
1t is indispensable. But my argument was against
Ward schools-by which is meant a school in every
Ward, the children being compelled to attend
school only at the house provided in the Ward in
which they reside. It was this narrow, contracted,
picayune plan of operations that / was, ard am,
and ever viii be opposed to. The point contend
for, is, to have large airy, suitable buildings for
school purposes, and to avoid the plan of renting
small and unsuitable houses, scattered hither and
yonder. The Central System--by which mean, to
keep the children together from as large scope Of
territory as possible in order to suit the popular
feeling-is certainly the best, for good and valid
reasons. II is superior to any other plan in the
matter of discipline and management. 1t is better,
because it has tendency to elevate and enoble a
chd's mind, while daily attendance at u small, in.
convenient building, depresses and degrades the
mind-so much is child influenced by surrounding
objects 1t is important matter to every student
to be comfortably and favorably situated $50 to
speak) regards the house he attends, the furni.
ture in the room, DC, &C.
do not at all consider the American School
System as an experiment., and "We.Cann and my.
self can join lands on that head. The business OF
popular education is, in great degree, national
business 1t is an Institution of the country. The
Federal Government has recognized the principle
in the public land system; and almost every State
in the Union has acted on the principle by adopt
ing some plan for the education of the masses In
our own State, the plan has most signally failed
and thousands Of dollars have been expended in ar
Abortive attempt to educate the rising generation
And hence it is, perhaps, we have Witnessed III,
ruinous consequences OF the States plan feel SC
much solicitude for the proper plan to be adopte,
in our municipal schools The State has pursued
line of policy so far beneath the dignity of the oh
ect aimed at that it has retarded the cause Of gen
eral education. If politicians and demagogues ca
De prevented HOm BahouhS i"' PieOO S"u Po"eE
the expense of the educational interests, We may
as State, eventually recover some of our clos
ground" and yet be able to impress upon futur
generations the fact that NO were IN earnest IN on
endeavors 10 disseminate knowledge.
"we-Cann" contends for a school-honse in Oh
Northern and one in the Southern portion of to
city, in addition TO the Hume" school now
operation can meet him in the spirit OF compr'
mise on this point. and join him in the lAudAb
undertaking; provided, the buildings are of sue
style and extent as TO maintain the dignity OF d
cause. Then, without further ado, let us bull
three tabernacles-one for the Northern, one 4
the Southern, and one for she Central portion
the city-so that our children may say, Ii Is GOO
for Us 10 be herel SENOLA.