Smyrna times., 1857-03-25
Written for the Smyrna Times.
PHILADELPHIA, March 18th, 1857

PHILADELPHIA, March 18th, 1857.
To the Editor Of the Smyrna Times IL |
would requst little space in your columns for
the subject of " Education, aud the Public
Schools of Delaware"
The agitation of this subject has ceased with
the adjournment of the Legislature. Ifthe ex-
perence of the past points with ordinary pro5a-
bity to the rule of the future, that rule will be
one of mastery inactivity" till two years
having coursed their round on the dial-plate OF
time, the Legislature shall assemble again in
the little Capitol, where The Educators and
Public School agitators will meet i'll solemn
convention, in obedience to call issued III New
Castle county-not generally known in Ken
or Sussex-and pass resolutions and make
sneechcs in favor of certain notable reforms III
the School system, with the view otimpresslng
upon the minds of the Legislators the great i'm
portance of speedy legislation.
These biennial conventions have been. for
wears, the make-shift for concentrated effort on
the part of those prominently enlisted 10 the
cause of Education, and the by-wOrd and rare
Joke of Senators and Representatives. All
praise aud compliment are due to few lndI'
viduas who have labored long and earnestly
in this good cause but they have only inaugu-
rated the work, which should be carried on
with nntiring energy and zeal over the great
Educational field of the State.
The Legislature had before it an act for the
support of State Normal School, which should
educate and prepare it's students for teaching
in and throughout the State. An apprOpra-
ton of $1,000 was deemed quite sufficient tC
effectuate the desired object. It is not now
necessary to enlarge upon the Importance OF
usefulness of such an institution. Its staunch'
est opponents could notraise the merest shadow
of subs,a ntial objection to it; while its vel
wishers in the House-many of them at least
thought it rather premature project. or
that it would be a capital thing if there were
plenty of money in the treasury or, finally
that it would be just the thing IF the people
mere prepared for it.. The bill was lost in the
House by tie vote "a much more favorab bic
result than its inactive friends could have anti
cipated.
The friends Of the bill, however, console them
selves over it's defeat with the reflection that
the project was not so carefully matured. aud
the details not so skilfuly digested as they
might possibly have been, aud further, thai
since it has failed, nothing can impede the ne
cessary movements in the cause of Education
and the improvement Of the Common .School'
of Delaware. The practical question, there
fore, ia simply whether in Kent and Sussx wt
shall pursue the even tenor Of our way in thi'
matter for the next twenty or thirty years. az
we have done for that number past--with 4
biennial, impractical convention at Dover; ol
whether we shall take a new step, in new di
rectiorr, and with new measures and fresh re
sources. ,..... s-...
Il has been my pleasure to make the snbjec
Of Education a partial study. The deep an'
natural energy and the restless enterprise of th'
sturdy sons of New England have made thei
soil to blossom with the rose of intellect ant
thought.
New Castle county has done more for ne
own schools tnan hent uuu ouHoSA 'osNS'~'
Sue may therefore rest with her toerable sys
tenn: no particular effort can be expected from
that direction. 1t remains, therefore, tor tn
lower counties to take the initiative. In con
versation with several gentlemen OF the State
| have suggested the plan Of forming soc'et
to take the subject in charge and carry out IN
objects proposed. Every one to whom nav
mentioned it, has considered 1t practicable an
good, but no one appears TO be willing to wor
for its formation. | have therefore drafted
constitution and by-laws for its government
aud would propose to submit them to. the pee
pie Of Smyrna. in, public meeting assembled
after due notice shall have been given Of tn
proposed meeting, in the public papers of th
, State, and after making the due explanation
: of the plan, the means to be used and the, end
f" 10 be attained for adoption. Hoping that thes
views may be favorably entertained by you
citizens, and new interest awakened in th
most interesting cause, rs aaI ysah ,'.7.
u qrai aal L remain, very truly, ~ 4 "a
gHd - #No " = ALEXANDER @. CuMMISs.
Walsut st., belop Eighsh, Phila.
| IL. -.-,.. -rr-1-