Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-02-19

another part equally important and necessary.
and that is mental disciplination. y thoroughly
disciplined mind is 10 an undisciplined enc as a
thoroughly organized and disciplined army is
to Il rabble throng. The one can accomplish
more IN whatever ii undertakes for ii can bring
into successful action all its resources and pow
ers, and direct them upon a given point adroitly
and effectively. But an undisciplined mind al
ways approaches an enterprise from the wrong
side and in the wrong way; it mangles what
ever it touches ii labors at a disadvantage and
its efforts all feeble frequently iIl-dlrected
and oftentimes absolutely futile because of its
lack of system and discipline. The study of
mathematics and kindred sciences is mainly
beneficial in giving regularity and system to
mental exercises. So indeed is that of every
science and art, for the establishment of any
elementary principle affords point of depart
ure from which the mind may safely and cor
rectly proceed IN its Investigations and the
greater the series of land marks thus fixed, the
more certain is the mind to pursue train of
thought in the right direction
As we have seen, the great and primary OBJ
lects of all education, as far rs the individual
himself Is concerned, are mental development,
inauguration and discipline. The question now
presents itself, how is such an education to be
effected what are the means to be used in this
great work Independent of home education,
which every child does or ought TO receive for
which every parent is alone responsible, and
with which we have nothing to do by far the
largest proportion of children in this country
are taught in public schools and not bv private
tutors On many accounts this is an excellent
system-the pupils are brought under certain
restrictions and regulations which tend to make
them systematic; their attendance Is required
certain hours of the day, and stated portions of
the period are devoted to particular studies.
Again, they arranged into classes according
TO their proficiency and age, and that is not only
economical and pecuniarily profitable, but ii also
Is apt to excite generous rivalry to excel in
their studies.
To obtain, however, the full benefits OF public
instruction, there are certain preliminarcs which
are not merely important but absolutely essen
tial. The first thing is the erection of suitable
edfces and in this connection may he per-
mitted TO say that l have been requested to draw
the attention Of the community to the miserable
buildings and cellars denomiuated school houses
in their village. | should have done so had the
request not been made for it is matter Of pub
lie interest. and one in which every man here
present is personally concerned,
! repeat, therefore that the school house ac-
commodations here are totally insufficient and
worthless; they are a disgrace to the enterprise
good sense and pecuniary ability Of our citizens
just look at them for 4 moment: three OF tie
rooms thus used are the basement underground
rooms of churches, destitute Of proper seats and
desks, Inconyenient. uncomfortable. decidedly
unhealthy, constantly liable to interruptions by
the holding of religious meetings above, and
more than all the use Of which depends alto
gether upon the will Of the Church trustees
Another room was once an old wagon shop; its
internal arrangements. ] am informed, are alto
gether insufficient. / know that lis situation is
bad enough, and that it Is far better adapted to
its former than to its present use Another
building is old meeting house, and is situated
upon a hill about as accessible to small children
Mont Blanc. The building, however. has one
redeeming quality-it IS unqUestionably healthy
The pure free winds OF heaven roam around and
through and under it with perfect freedom and
doubt not that strangers passing through the
town have freqendy mistaken the noise it makes
for the whistle of locomotive. The other re-
naming building is the only enc in town orig
1nally built for school purposes-aud what
school house that IS for an only enc in village
containing $500 inhabitants and more than 1G0
children who draw public money, Just look at
it-a poor. cheerless dillapidated concern. La
dies and gentlemen Of Mineral Point ) It such
tlx,r Il
of you? Are you willing that they Should grow
up, in this present enlightened age with ample
means at your control to establish good schools,
and with government which constantly extends
to you its aid III the work, with no other facih-
ties for learning than they now enjoy Are
you willing to have 1t pointed cut as the only
seminary Of learning you are able and willing
10 build? Do you think it reflects credit upcn
the town?
But aside from tie interests of your children,
there is another view of the case your own Pc
cuniary interests are in question. About $4,000
are annually expended by cur citizens in edu-
eating their children away from home, simply
because they have hot sufficient educational adj
vantages here. With a different state of things,
this money would he all kept and used here and
the town would thereby he much the richer.
And another thing: gentleman who is
resident here made remark to ME the other
day, with which l very much impressed,
and which was undoubtedly correct 1t was
this " The character of town Is better indi-
Gated by the character of its schools than any
other thing"
Now you opening channel CT communi-
cation which you hope viii give increased bust
ness facilities, make this the great emporium Of
South Western Wisconsin, and which viii bring
here large additions to your population. The
larger the population, of course the greater VIII
be the value of your property. But Of one thing
rest assured; your hopes Will all prove delusions,
your expec; ations viii never be realized, unless
you build better school houses; for men Of capi-
tai and character viii not break UP existing as
sociations and transfer their residence 10 place
where their children cannot have proper and
sufficient educational advantages, merely for the
+bair nu-r, -iifiCp