The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-01-12

that chanced to arise between two juvenile
specimens of "Young America" 1t was
not then thought, by many at least that
"chewing tobacco, drinking liquor, and ours
ing" were necessary prerequisites to consti
tute man. But the sole object to be at
tanned in these humble scminarics was sim
ply to prepare the head and heart for re-
spectacle and useful position in society.
We can recollcct well when each student,
or to use the homely phrase Of those super
anuatcd schools, when each scholar, would,
at least, endcavor to vie with others in the
accumu alton of useful knowledgc; and
when most Of us would have considered it
disgrace to have been found groping be-
hind, and following in the wake of the
more industrious. 1t WIS then, too, that
the innncent and unsuspecting traveller
could pass the streets Of our little towns
and villages. without being subjected to the
pusianimous insults of the school boys;
something like the following: care you
travelling, or going about just so?' "Movc
him up "a little, think he'll pace" 81 say!
| say" with. various other savings, too
contemplate in their character to be uttered
by the smallest school boy, without produ-
cling on y" check of every lover of good
order i'll s'.,.iety the crimson tinge of shame.
Then it was, that we could go to church, and
listen to the ministration Of Gods word.
without being III momentarv expectation
Of seeing the minister subject to the humiI-
iating insults of the young l,opcfuls of the
land. But, alas, how changed! Notwith-
standing, we lave at the present dav,
in almost every town and village, in
lieu Of those rude pinc-log cabins, large
and commodious academies, well endowed,
and furnished with all the necessary apara-
tus, yet, whether the system of teaching
has been improved or not, with many, re-
mains matter of doubt; and whether the
pupil really realizes the substantial benefits
of education under modern instruction, that
he was accustomed to receive in former days
is, with the writer at least) equally uncer.
tain. If we were disposed to discuss the
question in behalf Of the present system ol
instructing youth, we would not consider
the history Of the past calculated to strength
en- our position much For it is certain
that some Of the greatest men that have cv,
or lived, whose memory still adorns the
pages Of history, and who have left behind
them fame that can only be obliterated
BY the all destroying end of time, received
the rudimcnts of their education in the conf
mon school Of the forest, and by their own
untiring exertions reared thereon the super
structure themselves.
As we have already. observed that the
sole object to be attained in the romantic
schools of antiquity was substantial, useful
practical knowledge; and while we shall
not attempt to deny, that the same object
actuatcs many at the present day, to send
their children to school; yet, we cannot
help noting as remarked in the outset, the
difference in disposition both in parent and
child to acquire such knowledge. Let a
boy, "now a days." violate with impunity
the rules of decorum in his school, or rath
cr his academy, and though he may moi
have passed the age Of ten or twelve wears
the only alternative is expulsion, or, til,
teacher must knock under; he is of course
TOO big to be hoggcd a little; and in nine casess
out Of ten,sthe consequences are the young
hopeful is suffered to 60 uneducated, and in
some instances, will ventureto add, the,
are brought up a nuisance to society, arne
a curse to the rising generation.
I Time has been when he, who could &C
quire the greatest amount Of useful knowl
edge in the shortest time, was considered
the pa tern Of the school. But alas, how
changedI At this enlightened age of th,
world, the youth who can use the most lu
dicrous sayings, ne who is best versed j,
blackguardism, he who can insult strange
||En the arehest manner, he who can swea
sithe biggest oaths, and sport the prettiest mus
tache, is lin many parts Of the country th
model student. S,f' Tyr I
\ That there arg some exceptions to sthi
rule may, perhaps. @ith some degree Of pro
prist be,admitted. But dalysebseryatio
teaches every observer of facts that there