True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-07-15
Gov. CHAsE's LETTER.
COLUMBUS, July 6, 1857.

Dear Sir In the midst OF the cares
and anxieties Of my official position, un-
usually augmented Of late, it has been I'M
possible for me to prepare an address ID
be pronounced before the Association over
which you have the honor to preside. |
was, however, so desirous OF manifeSting
my personal sympathy with its members
in their noble aim to raise the standard.
to improve the methods, and 10 dignity the
work Of Education in Ohio, that would
not relinquish my purpose of being pres
ent at their deliberations, and Of saying
something, however inadequately, on the
subject of their work, until the day oil
meeting was changed. I then advised
the respected editor Of the Journal Of
Education, that l should probably be
unable to attend at the time TO which ii
was postponed ; but now find this ap-
prehensiOn realized. My public duties
will require my constant presence here
during The present week
Iregret my absence from the meeting
of the Association, on my own account /;
for am thoroughly conscious how mea-
gerly anything | could say. would reward
the attention ol its members. But if !
could communicate little, | could receive
much; and l wish to learn all can in
respect TO the best means of promoting
the cause of education in our Stale.
In that cause, having been myself a
teacher, and knowing something of a
teachers responsibilities, trials, and aspi-
rations, ! naturally and almost necessari-
ly feel lively interest.
No safer, no more remunerative invest
ment of revenue is made by the State
than in the instruction Of her youth
S,inginess here, is not economy. l! is
waste, and the worst description Of waste
the waste OF mind-ol that power which
originates energies, and makes efficient
whatever activities promote private or
public prosperity.
The School house is a better institu,
ton than the Court House or the State
House. In the State House, laws are
enacted , in the Cour, House, laws are
applied; in the School House, legislators,
judges and jurymen are made. Especial
Ily is the School House indispensable
where popular government is made re-
ality, by free suffrage and general eigi,
biIity to Office. It is impossible to over
estimate The importance of universal edu-
cation, where every boy is 10 be voter,
and any boy may be President.
70 make the School House efficient,
teachers must be, no; only qualified, but
honorcd. The responsibility Of their
trust, the magnitude of their work, and
the dignity Of their calling must be ac-
knowedged, and not coldly acknowledged
only, but thoroughly appreciated. The
community hardly yet begins to realize
its debt Of gratitude, honor and reward to
the teachers Of its schools.
These things are obvious but what
practical methods ale best adapted 10 Sc
cure the great end Of giving TO all the
youth of The State the best education they
are willing to receive, and are capable o.
receiving, is not so clear. What provis
ions for the education of teachers should
be supplied !; how far, if AZ all, the col
legs Of the State, and especially thost
more Immediately under legislative con
rol, may be made parts Of the genera
plan cf education, or serviceable to th'
special purposes Of educating teachers
and what may be 6tIy and economically
done to extend the benefits of the educa
iional system beyond School House walls
lby lectures and libraries, are subjects
which will dot bless engage your discus
sions, and in respect to which ] should b.