The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-08-07
Gov. Ohase's Letter TO the State
Teachers Association.
yotuMBUs, July 6, 10

Teachers Association.
CotUMBUs. July 6. 1851.
DEAR SrR.-In the midst Of the cares
and auxieties Of my official position, unu.
sually augmented Of late, it has been i'm
possible for me 70 prepare an address fl
to be pronounced before the Association
over which you hhye tho honor 10 preside
1 was, however 50 desirous Of manifesting
my personal sympathy with its members
in their noble aim to raise tho standard,
to improve the methods, and to dignity
the work Of Education in Ohio, that 1
would not relinquish my purpose Of being
present at their deliberations. aud Of say
ing something, however inadequately, on
the subject Of thor work, until tho day OF
meeting WAS changed. then advised
the respected editor Of the Journal Of Ed-
,catioa, that should probably be unable
to attend at the time TO which Il was post
poned; but 1 now find this apprehension
realized. My public duties require my
constant presence here during the present
week.
regret my aboenoe from tho meeting
of the Association, only on my own &C.
count; for / am thoroughly conscious how
meagerly anything l could say. would re-.
ward the attention Of It's members. But
IL | could communicate little, could re-
oeiye much; and l wish to learn all can
in respect TO the bost means Of promo.
ting the cause of education in our State.
In that cause, having been myself a
teacher, and knowing something Of a
teachers responsibilities, trials, and aspi.
raIions, / naturally and almost necossari.
ly feel lively interest.
No safer aud nc more romunerative in.
vestment OF reyenue is made by the State
than in the instruction Of her youth -
Stinginess here is not economy. Il is
waste, and the worst description Of waste
the waste Of mind--of that power
which originates, energizes, and makes
efficient whatever activities promote pri
vate or public prosperity.
The School Hoase is better institution
than the Court House or the State House.
In the State House laws are enacted;
IN the Court House they are applied; in
tho School House, Legislators. Judges and
jurymeu are made. Especially is tho
School House indispensable where popu-
lar government is made a reality, by free
suffrage and general eligibility to Office.
II is impossible TO over estimate the i'm
portanoe Of universal education, where
.aVaryr hey -.-y ~ -rlsoViivuV.
To make the School House efficient,
teachers must be not only qualified. but
honored. The responsibility Of their trust
the magnitude Of their work, and the dig
nifty Of their calling must be a4knowledg-
ed, and not coldly acknowledged only,
but thoroughly appreciated. The com
munity hardly yet begins To realize it's
debt of gratitude, honor and reward to
the teachers of It's schools. 4
These things arc very obvious; but
what practical methods are best adapted
to secure the great end of giving to al the
youth of the State the best education they
are willing to receive, and are capable Of
receiving, is not so clear. What proyis.
ions for the education of teachers should
be supplied; how far, if at all. the cole.
ges of the State, and especially those more
Immediately under legislative control,
may be made parts Of the general plan of
education, or serviceable to the special
purpose of educating teachers; and what
may be ftly aud economically done TO ex-
tend the benefits of the educational sys-
tenn beyond school house walls, by leo.
lures and libraries, are subjects which
will doubtless engage your discussions,
and in respect to which l should be par
ticularly glad to have the benefit Of them.
But l am extending this letter too far.
Let me close it with my cordial congrat4
ulations to tho association, upon the
great good already effected by its labors,
and with the expression of my earnest
hope that the educational future of Ohio
may correspond with its highest aims and
noblest aspirations.
Very Respectfully Yours,
s. p. CHASE,