Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-01-11


great social and moral reform, time and htat
consen. which arises from radical change
in the popular nind, were required. This
slow process of the reclamation of the new
system to our social and moral atmosphere,
has been in operation for nearly twenty
years; aud it Is now evident the period for
another eHectiTe interposi.iea Of legislative
aid and authority IN favor Of our noble sys- |
TEN oil common schools, has arrived, In /
whatever form this obviously proper and
necessary iEterposition may present itself, il 4
calculated to promote the great purpose in
view It shall receive my cheerful slRQeSt.
After careful examination of the subject /
it is my clear conviction that the system is /
now prepared for and requires Increased eff
feieney in It's general supervision increased
qualification III its teachers, and increased. |
means Of support.
The experiment Of the County Surerin-
tendency wherever faithfully carried out has
not disappointed the expectations Of the ad-
Yosates Of that Measure. The improved
condition OF the schools, and the greater
efficiency OF the system, clearly establish
the prorriety AMI utility of such super
rision. The official visits Of an officer of
the school department to snme of the ooun-
ties Of the State IN connexion with the County
Superintcndancy, have demonstrated that
the voice of public authority to sustain, and
the presence of an official agent to encourage
have largely contributed to excite and mann
tain the deep Interest now felt BY the pub
lie IN our educational progress and improve
ment.
Tie. most marked Improvement recently
/ effected in she System, has been in lis corps
1 Of teachers. With almost unparalled dis
/ interestedu4ss aud devotion TO the noble
cause IL whicE they are engaged, the common
school teachers Of the Stale, have, in almost
every county, been using all the means and
/ appliances within their power for self-iln-
prnyenent.
In eeneoling this boon to our children
through their teachers, We are encouraged
BIZ the example of other countries, and the
experience of the past. 1t is a remarkable
fact, tha, no State of our Union, nor ilation
of the Old World, has perfected its system
Of public Instruction, without schools .oy the
professional training OF teachers, establish
od and supported by the public authority
and means: and it is no less remarkable,
and still more eneourag ging, that no such IN
siiiutn,n has eysr set been a5andoned.-
d From Prussia, whose experience in this re-
gard is that Of century and quarter, 10
that of cur young sister Michigan, whose ex-
istence is as OF yesterday, the nertnal school
has been tried throughout christendoln with
unvaIying success.
This result is in full harmony with the
laws of uina and human society. Teaching
is high aud honorable professions; and no
profession has more arduolls and complex
dnties te preform--no one greater respousi-
bi,itieS to meet-and no one operates on, or
with such valuable anl interesting material.
The most thorough preparation is therefore
requisite; and as tue duties to be performed
are not oniy responsible, but delicate, and
may affect tie social, political, moral or
religious feelings and rights of the citizen,
no source is SO safe, 10 authority for their
discharge so free from suspicion or bias, as
the State. Teachers trained by the State,
and representing the vitality ef its repub-
lieanisln, will be the 6fm support and sure
guarantee of its republican equality.
! Il Is time also that the teaching mind
should resume It's true place iq the schools.
In the communication of knowledge, to be
effective, mind, in sympathetic contract,
must act upon nind, aud with living, speak
ing energy, leave lis iulpress there. The
Grear Master hhuset thus trained the school
which vas to reform world. But now the
book has 100 much intfuded Itself between
the teacher and the taught. The teacher
has too much become the mere exponent Of
the printed page, and the n,iad of the lear
ner the impressed copy OF of the text. In
thus saying, the value and Importance of
books, as Il means of knowledge, are. not in
tended to be overlooked or lecried; but the
uses of our best agencies have their Limits,
and when we find the book usurping the
place of the teacher, to the injury OF the
teacher to the injury of the mind of our
youth, we should restore each TO IFS proper
J positicn-requrc from each the performance
OF It's appropriate functions, and thus COLI
fer apon both tine full .aeasure OF their USE
tulHess.
As an expedient to supply the place of
TcGuldt -Npftnti SCuuoAc CcbsLulASGIos "iie'
; as valuable auxiliary TO them when in OPP
eratien, the Teachers Institute wonld be of
unquestionable value 1t would bring to-
gether the teachers Of county under the
: best influences, fer consultation and iiH-
provenIent, and exhibit them before their
fellow citizens if their proper professional
character. A portion Of the means OF the
State, or of the respective counties, appica-
BILE to educational improvements could nct'b be
more pfoftably applied, than to tue enc"uf-
aeement of the meeting Of at least eae such
institute, annually, i'll each county. Aaex-
: pertinent of this kind, recent ly made IN the
: county of Chester. is said to have been
o. endnenty successful, and strongly indiea-
e tive of the wisdMn of the measure.
lf,in addition to these or similar measures
: the Legislature should feel warrautsd--an
thA 'naa<nrete.s all the sanction this execu.
u tive document can give Tito make large
r addition TO the annual State appropriation
/, to common schools, believe th.t all viii
e be done which the patriotism OF the peo-
: pies representatives can now effect; and
: [ do not hesitate toexpress the opinion thai
IA the fin,c has come for this prompt, fall auC