Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-03-06
Correspondence.
For the Standard.
School Government.

L was not a little disappointed in thai
article, for supposed that having as
sumed to show that " the successful teach,
er must be superior to the scholars Phys,
ically" he would attempt to show that nc
one should be licensed to teach school
without physical" ability to knock down
and drag out of the school room every
species of rowdyism and disorder. ]
thought he would possibly tell US that
parents and scholars were like that do
nestle animal of which it is said the more
he is whipped the better he likes his
master; or perhaps have discoursed upon
the comparative superiority of those scho,-
ars having teachers with masculine pow
ers, over those which have not. But in
stead of this he has given the greater
show of his remarks upon the other side
Of the point at issue. No doubt it was
from the impulse of a generous heart to
help as along. Though I may be inca
pable of renumerating him by coming as
far upon his side Of the question, yet 1
would not fail to assure him that l APP
preciate the kindness, and consider that
much of what was contained in that arti-
Gle, when considered upon our side of the
question, is "Iike apples Of gold in pic
lures Of silver" because 1" fifty spoken"
He says, But there are some of both
sexes who have the faculty to govern.
They have knowledge Of human nature,
decision of character, frmness of mind,
common sense. They also have conf
dence in themselves" But mark, he
does not pretend that their faculty to gov
ern is based upon physical SUPERIOR
ty," but upon knowledge, human nature,
firmness of mind, (not Of body common
sense. Now if this is not getting quite
upon our side, we shall be happy to be
informed.
: Did Diogenes the Cynic whom he
quotes possess physical power to govern
a race of men? If so, why was he a
slave? l do not understand his claims
to be based upon muscular strength
Were they, or were they not? If not,
why bring him into show the necessity Of
physical superiority" in the school teach
er? Probably I entertain no higher
opinion Of President Franklin Pierce's
qualifications, mental or moral, for school
teaching and governing than I still l pre-
sumo he has all the physical power that
either James or myself would consider
necessary. Although think very highly
OF soft words and gentle means, yet I
believe in thorough discipline in the
school room and probably shall be the
last one to complain if my children are
reasonably chastised with the rod. l
have ever taken the part of teachers in
choosing their own method Of governing,
provided no serious injury is done to the
scholar. Still l do not believe it rea-
sonable or manly to ask the candidate for
teacher to stop, and put on bones, sinews
and flesh sufficient to sweep his way
through gang ofrowdies before he can be
deemed qualified for a successful teacher.
believe no such thing. And as | said
IN my former remarks, II am quite unwil-
ling to believe was born to live in such
a time" (5e) in time when :" the mann
moth power IS considered an all important
prerequisite for governing a school"
Whether in this l am considered as
- cr010jng" Or crying, in the woods or
out, it is still my conviction that public
opinion excepting I and some others)
is so strongly set against such view of
the subject, that one might as reasonably
think OF turning the current of the Nj
agara, by shoveling into it saw dust, as to
think OF converting this enlightened age
into those old and almost obsolete notions
Who but one WHO'S feeling after the by
ways Of his ancestors would have thought
OF putting the teacher because with :. fear
and trembling" he had managed so as to
live through a term in one of those
schools! My opinion is, that if he could
not maintain his position without " fear
and trembling" he should have said to bi.
employ ers, take away those objects of my
dread, or you cannot have my services.
" Fear and trembling" Honorable? No
1t is cowardly and dishonorable. Iwould
say to every teacher, stand up boldly and
teariessly, or leave your trust to some
one who viii. The sooner such districts
are made to know that they cannot have
school without a pledge to stand in the
teachers defence against all intrusions the
better. Let teachers before entering
such schools, secure the pledged protec-
ton and cooperation of the prudential
committee, and district. Let the con-
tract be such that failure on their part
to carry out the pledge. shall he an hon