The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-04-05
SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

bS0OVA EkAAm4NAxxO0.
Mr. Editor Permit me through your
columns, to say few words, about the
recent examination of the upper depart.
ment of our Free Union School. Both
because of the direct bearing which the
operations of that school have upon the
interests of Stroudsburg; and because Of
the character Of the exercises on that oc-
casion; this examination deserves think
something more than mere passing notice.
| am not going to speak of it however, in
the inflated terms of extravagant pane
gyric, but simply, to try to say few
true things about it in the language Of
plain common sense. The children are
not prodigies, nor their teachers, strange
phenomena. The young folks Of Strouds.
burg are, suppose, very much like young
folks elsewhere and the teachers doubt
less, claim nothing more than to be worthy
members of fraternity now, thanks to
an enlightened and active philanthropy,
fast increasing in our land, competent to
the duties of their high profession, Bu,
| think it may be safely and soberly af,
6rmed, that the enlightened faithful use
of right system, has in this instance.
produced some results we'll worthy of no.
tlce' The expressions of surprise and
qualification on the part of those who we're
in attendance upon the exercises through
the day, were neither few, nor measured
There were those there who are familiar
with school training, and accustomed to
deal with children; aud know from their
testimony, that am not alone in think.
ing that there was evinced, by some of
the classes, in some Of the most important
studies, an extent aud tboroughness of at
tainment, really extraordinary. In solv-
ing difficult and intricate problems in
Arithmetic, without book or Slate; in an
aiysiDg the words and sentences of our
language; and in pointing out and desert
bing the various countries, rivers, oceans,
towns, cities, &c, of our globe there we're
little children there, who performed, what
[ verify believe, any one amongst the au-
dience would have in vain attempted.
Probably the one sentiment, in the ut.
terance Of which, at the close of those ex-
ercises, all who had been present as spec
tators, would have most cordially united,
was this Stroudsbnrg has now public
school, of which she need not be ashamed
And all, trust, would have Indignantly
repudiated the ides, that the citizens Of
Stroudsburg, after having made thus much
progress, could think Of going back again
to the little Red School House system-
And yet it is whispered that there are
some, who would even advocate such a
retrogression. As I have already made
this article longer than l intended, !
will only now occupy farther space just
70 ask of such, if indeed there be any
such, two questions. Are you prepared
to deny the principle that property should
be taxed to support schools! Do you be.
lieve that whatever ought to be done,
ough: to be well done These questions, if
it seems to be called for, may another time
be explained and expanded. Meanwhile,
as there are in this school question, in,
terested parties on both sides, let NE as,
sure you, that this communication is from
one who has no private personal interest
whatever in the matter, being
| NEITHER PARENT, NOR TEACHER