Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-10-02
ToWAND COUNTY

| Esq, editor OF the pennsylvania School Jour
! nal
While all are loud in favor of education, and
not solitary voice raised against it, sle 81
perGcial observer might suppose thargo obsta-
cles were thrown in the way of its fE0.&Ss,
and that all its management was pleRantness.
Alas such is not the case. Although none
are found hardy enough to come out openly in
opposition to education, yet iberal minded
men oppose it in detail With them the sys-
TEN is imperfect. They could form a better
one. Competence Of teachers with them is not
of much consequence, and above all school
teachers receive too much salary. They ought
: to be paid no mere than they formerly receiy-
ed. 1t might surprise some to know that a
man uttcrng such sentiments would say that
he was in favor Of general education.
While we have much to cheer us on in the
cause Of education, we still have numerous
difficulties. One man who pays a high tax
does it chcerfully although he has no child to
educate, while another with large family Of
children and paying twenty-five cents school
tax will complain OF oppression, and he is sure
that teachers wages are too high or there is
something wrong in the management Of our
public schools or he would not be oppressed so
seriously with taxes. But say they are all in
favor of common schools, of educating the
poor children of the Commonwealth by public
expense, and leave that part of the subject for
an intelligent public to decide.
Let us hope that the improvement and the
situation of school teachers which has so hap
PLY commenced will progress rapidly, and those
who devote their lives to so important an enter
prise will be fairly remunerated. At present,
teachers are the poorest paid class in the c0uu-
try. Talents in all other business seem to be
appreciated higher. The man who drives the
OK or tends the swine would scOrn the pittance
paid to those who are engaged in the instruc
ton of human beings.
While we have great cause to rejoice at the
excellence Of our American Institutions and
Of our success to education, it is certainly the
duty Of teachers to inculcate into the young
mind the great value of those institutions and
the necessity Of guarding them from all danger
Gus encroachments. To the teacheriS aSsignedm
a great measure the duty of training the minds
Of the rising generation to love our country
and its government True liberty consists not
Of every one doing just what he pleases, re-
gardless Of the right of others but in obedience
to and support of the laws Of our county
The fairy forms of free government, or the i'm
practicable plans Of social society where the
binding force Of all laws, human and divine
are derldcd at, taught by the fools of Europe,
calling themselves philosophers, ought. to- pc
diSCountcnanCed on all occasions. Our C0ms'
try is at present flooded with those ,forti@n
philosophers whose mission appears to be to
poison the human mind. They are easilyt
known in all places by their insoent conduct.
Profanity vulgarsm, and total disregard to
other peoples feelings appears with them as
the only liberty worth possessing, or the only
learning worth requiring To teach the youth
to avoid such associations, is certainly one Of
the duties Of the American Preceptor.
When we have recommended obedience to
religion and law-love of parents, friends,
ncighbors and country, still we may suggest
the prOpriety of intoxicating into the youthful
mind high sense Of honor. The honorable
man abhors Iic--he would take no undue ad
vantage. he WOuld boldly defend friend or ac
quaintance when defense was necessary and
Just, and above all, he would speak no evil of
friend or foe in their absence. Slander is one
Of the great evils of the world, and the per-
son resorling to it may fairly be set down as
one without the feelings Of honor. Surely the
student ought to be instructed to avoid SANDER
fraud and meanneSs in all his Transactions
The formation of a dignifed character ought
to be one of the great aims Of those entrusted
with the education Of the young Its undig-
nifed to use unprovoked, offensive language to
those who are present, but far more SO to speak
evil of the absent.
Ladies and gentlemen will detain You no
longer A kind partaGty assigned me the ho-
nor of addressing you, and while know that
many persons present could much more ably
perform the task yet | am proud of the honor
and would not shrink from the attempt