The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-04-23

And as. in the distribution of such things,
many persans who would read them with pro-
fit to themselves aud others are necessarily
overlooked, BY being unknown to the oistri-
butter, this opportunity is embraced OF request
ing those who wish to see the last annual ne
mort of the Superintendent Of Common Shoots,
10 send their names and address 10 his Ex-
es!.ency GOV. Bragg or to myself.
The Office which have had the honor 10
fill Is one beset By many trials and tempta-
tions: 4 conscientious incumbent can ind room
for the employment Of all his time and ener-
eies, and one, disposed only to look to has own
interest, ma, Gil a complimentary space IN
public estimation, and yet do little good. It
Is an oGice in which ecery citizen takesa IN
tesest the Common schools reach every IN
habitaat ul the State III their influences, while
every one sees and feels every defect IN their
management, and in the laws BY which they
are regulated. Every one, therefore, IS ever
ready to find work for the Superintendent,
Ito look to him for redress OF every spe-
cies if irregularity--and to inquire why he
does not come to the relief OF his particular
community, TO make better committee, bet
ter laws, better teachers, better neighbors, Or
better habits. To do all expected in this re-
spect the Superintendent would have to be
omnipotent and ubiquitous.
Such things are expected OF no other ON
Ger; no other officer is required 10 be prov.
ing to everybody, that he is earning his sa-
larry. The duties Of all other executive 9TH
GERS reach, in their direct influences, very
ieg, and hence our Governors, Secretaries,
&c. &C., are presumed to be doing their duty
while no one ever asks what they are about.
This is natural but it environs the Office 81
Superintendent with suspicious, cares, anx-
iet:es and troubles that will weigh heavily on
any sensitive mind. Formysclfl am Tree to say
that have often been tempted 10 resign-that
! have felt in anxiety and encountered DIM
eulties an discOnragements the full force OF
which no mortal knows but myself, and to
endure which have been prompted only "
stern sense of duty. | am not anxious tor
ol5ice, and have no ambition ! desire only
first and chiefly to do what is my duty. and
secondly, il can have il, to receive credit Tor
il. Beyond this have no desire in connec-
ton with the place fill or with any other ;
and having, as | believe, done the former, and
satisfied nv own conscience. am not 50 So
licitohs about the latter desideratGm.
would, however, add, thar hope that
will now have more time to trayei-and that
have so FAR arranged my plan Of operations
that will not necessarily be so confined,
while | can be the more useful when ! do
travel. | have ever believed that the Super
iatendent by travel and BY otherm means should
be well acquainted with the moral, social, geo.
graphical aud educational condition Of every
locality in this State Of widely diversified
interests ;and for years have spared neither
pains nor expense 10 obtain such knowledge,
while from actual observation | am familiar
with almost every section. But can never
he made to believe that any great amount Of
se.I go. IL accomplished by merely going
from COUNTY TO county and making speech
on education: very few would attend, those
most interested would not be reached at all,
10 systematic plan Of operations could be thus
rlatared and started, and few ideas or facts
Impressed on the general mind. In the most
refined, densely populated and intellectually
active communities, the most popular spea-
ker could not get together large masses OF a
fuFaI people, 70 listen patiently to addresses
81 education even In cities efforts Of this
lind prove failure. Ihave tried this, how
sser, and experience as well as reason con-
lFm ny view.
| I'm nov preparing To Try to get Up series
o. meetings 81 a more interesting, and there.
fore likely to be Of nore useful character
wish 10 try what can be done in getting
NJ Conventions Of teachers and Others irte-
rested Ia general education III different =
tins and TO DO this successfully, requires a
careful management Of which thUse only are
aware who have had experience d these
things. We are not ripe, but We are riPening
Tar such action-and IL II does not succeed
here it will be because these are not the means
best suited to our situation. aud not becanse
We are not improving al all.
Wa ARE IMPROVING: the statistics Gf our
position, as l knOp, are exciting astonishment
abroad, and are not 50 well appreciated here
because We have hoped and looked for too
much az once.
And permit me. in conelpding this commu-
nieztiOn already too long. - Offer, most re-
specially, 4 single suggestion TO all interest
ed in our Common Schools. There are three
methods 10 which We ray make the earth
Weld her fruits. We may force on their
growth ii winter. and rapidly BY hOt.house
culture. but se viii get a siekly plant and
indifferent fruit. We NAV take the other
extreme and drop the seed 10 the earth and
leave Il TO take is chances uiih grass and
weeds. and among rocks aud trees; and in
this case also We Will get very poor return.
We nay, also. pursue a middle course: We
snly Do or Juiy, and siill leave nature W
Lss sunshine. her dews and rains 10 perform.
~ her osn time, her importan; part. We
NAV kili out the weeds and briers, prepare
aud Str lie ground, and drive asay TIE
crows: and While We do all this We may
ssill look 10 God for the increase, and wal;
with patience Tor the early latter rain. This
il the wise and successful course. 50 il j.
folly To- undertake 10 reyolutioaize ~ the
LII. All Ia. IL > r,o,.rla. - a f.n ,nnr.