Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-09

ture with the usual branches of academic cd
ucation. will be taught, and the effort viii be
to make good farmers, good scholars, and
good citizens.
Whilst individual liberality and energy have
done much and Will do more for this institu-
ton. an appropriation by the State, in such
sum as the Legislature may deem proper,
would not only aid and encourage this lauda-
bic enterprise but would be an honorable and
Just recognition of the important interests in
volved.
The laws now in operation, regulating man
ufacturing and other improvement companies,
are in some of their provisions too severely
restrictive, and should be modified. Legisla-
tion on these subjects has heretofore tended to
restrain the investment OF capital-check in
dustry, and curb the energy of the people in
the prosecution of those enterprises that aid
the development of our immense resources,
and contribute so largely to the wealth and
prosperity of the State. Liberal and judici-
Gus egisation-encouragin individual enter
prise-inyiting the investment of capital, and
stimulating the various departments of manu-
featuring and mechanical industry, would
greatly promote the interests OF the people
increase our revenues, and give to the Com
monwealth that prominence and position, IN
the sisterhood of States, to which the charac-
ter of her citizens and her illimitable natural
resources Justly entitle her. To this subject
your attention is invited.
The Report of the Superintendent of Com
mon Schools will exhibit to you their condi-
tion and the general operations of the system
throughout the Commonwealth during the
past year. To the valuable and useful sugges-
tions of the report, would earnestly ask the
attention OF the Legislature.
The operation and results of the system as
detailed are highly interesting. Our educa-
tional system is slowly, but surely, conquer
ing prejudices and gaining the confidence of
the people. Under the fostering care OF liber-
al and enlightened legislation its ultimate tri-
umph is certain. When the system was first
introduced, it was supposed that it could be
perfected and forced into general and vigorous
operation by the mere Will Of the Legislature.
Experience has proven that in this, as in every
other great, social and moral reform, time and
that consent which arises from radical change
in the popular mind, were required. This slow
process Of the acclination of the new system
to our social and moral atmosphere, has been
in operation for nearly twenty years; and it is
now evident that the period for another effect
i've interposition Of legislative aid and author
ity in favor of noble system and common
schools, has arrived. In Whatever form this
obviously proper and necessary interposition
may present itself, if calculated to promote
the great purpose in view, it shallr eceive my
cheerful support.
After careful examination OF the subject,
it is my clear conviction that the system is
now prepared for and requires increased eff
cheney in its general supervision-increased
qualification in its teachers, and increased
means OF support.
The experiment of the County Superinten-
dency, wherever faithfully carried out, has not
disappointed the expectations of the advocates
of that measure. The improved condition of
the schools, and the greater efficiency Of the
system, clearly establish the propriety and
utility of such supervision. The official visits
off thaS n
counties of the State, in connection with the
| Superntendency, have demonstrated that the
| voice of public authority to sustain, and the
| presence of an official agent 10 encourage,
| have largely contributed to excite and main
tain the deep interest now felt by the public in
| our educational progress and improvement.
The most marked Improvement recently eff
| fected in the system, has been in its corps of
| teachers. With almost unparalleled disinter-
esteducss and devotion to the noble cause in
which they are engaged, the common school
| teachers of the State have, in almost every
| county, been using all the means and applan-
! ces within their power for self-improvement.
| These efforts, so creditablc to them, have been
| highly beneficial in their results, and clearly
| prove the necessity, and point with uncrring
| certainty to the establishment of State Normal
| schools. Teachers meetings for day have
| given place to institutes for week; and these
| again TO numerous Normal meetings, continu-
| step
| in this progression, it has become more appa-
rent that permanent institutions, with their
| proper professors and appliances, which moth
| ing but the power of the State can provide
are demanded by and would the meet wants of
| the system and the occasion.
| In conceding this boon to our children thro'
| their teachers, we are encouraged by the ex-
| pie of other countries, and the experience of
the past. 1t is remarkable fact, that no State
| of our Union, nor nation of the Old World has
perfected its system Of public instruction,
without schools for the professional training
/ of teachers, established and supported by the
public authority and means /; and it is no less
| remarkable, and still more encouraging, that
no such institution has ever yet been abandon
| ed. From Prussia, whose experience in this
| regard, is that of century and a quarter to
that of our young sister Michigan, whose exis-
| tence is as of yesterday, the Normal shcool
| has been tried throughout Chrisiendom with
| unvarying success.
| This result is in full harmony with The laws
| ofmind and of human society Teaching is a
| high and honorable profession; and no profess
| sion has more arduous and complex duties to
| perform-no one greater responsibilities to
meet-and no one operates on, or with such
valuable and interesting material. The most
thorough preparation is requisite; and as the
duties to be pnrformed are not only respon-
sible, but delicate, and may effect social poIit-
lcal, moral, or religious feelings and rights of
the citizens, no source is so safe, no authority
for their discharge so free from suspicion or
bias. as the State. Teachers trained by the
State, and representing the vitality of its re-
publicanism, will be the firm support and sure
guarantee of its republican equality
1t is time also that the teaching mind should
resume its true place in the schools In the
communication of knowledge, to be effective
mind, in sympathetic contact, must act upon
mind, and with living, speaking energy, leave
its impress there. The Great Master himself
thus trained the school which was to reform
world. But now the book has to much intru-
ded itself between the teacher and the taught.