The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-08-12
=, For the Spirit of Democracy.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS.

>, For the Spirit Of Democracy.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS.
We offer the following considerations
upon this subject to those engaged in the
business of teaching. and to such others
as may be interested in the cause of edu-
cation. That our subject be under some
arrangement we will consider it under the
following heads: t...7- &C.,
lst. Does teaching rank among the
learned profession?
Cd. What are the means necessary, to
secure. higher standard of teaching? and
Sd. The result of the highest grade
of teaching upon the human race Then
lst.s Every man is expected to be in
terested in his own. calling. He must
think as well as act. While the law, med
icine and divinity confer gratuitous honors
upon those professions the teacher has no
such resource to lean upon, but must make
for himself. character which the insig-.
nifcance of his profession carnot confer.
True, some teachers have attained high
places, by superior mental powers or great
exertions, but not in virtue of the calling
as a teacher--the mere name of, the pro-
fession only tending 70 retard his progress.
We may set up claim to public regard,
but the claim is, s,dishonored. : If the claim,
be honored, it is favor to the individual,
and not to the profession. This is mani,
testify wrong. When, we consider, the
magnitude, the Importance Of the, work,
assigned the teacher. the very name should
throw around him sufficient importance TO
secure recommendation, at least as val
liable as his services. / We neednot pause
long for solution to this difficulty.
Very many. pretending incompetent per-
sons, have always been engaged in the
business of teaching. It is true, they.
may pass q moderate examination, and are
certified accordingly but when we reflect
thatia larger number Of our teachers are
farmers, mechanics, artists, loafers and
ramblers who, without any knowledget Of
Teaching, takca school," and feel no
other interest but their per diea allowance,
tit is not strange that a false estimate is
fixed upon the profession Of teaching. ia
line should be drawn between the worthy
and unworthy. The mere pretender would
then fall back upon q level adapted toe his
capacities, and be rewarded commensurate
with his talents The qualified. TEACHER
simultaneously with his disentanglement
from the dead weight Of the. other. would
4rise to seek . level far above the preseni
standard. We must not forget 10 notice
j however, that thereAare many deserving
4 young men engaged in. teaching AZ thi'
part of the State, who are far from being
remunerated for their services, while 'therl
are others engaged in the business, Of in
/ ferior qualifications for mo other purpos
than to answer. a temporary demand 70
money-who have no sympathy for otb
business, and no Intention to follow itfo
any considerable time. Our structure
most enphatically apply tothe latter class
In answer to the frst proposition, we ma,
) infer that teaching does not rank amonl
the learned professions. szsi ges9aa 80
We will now notice the second propo
sition, what means are necessary to secur
a higher standard Of teaching !, ,i,ae,ar
i In regarding teaching among the learn
ed professions, we, do mot mean an .empt
i lname-an aristocracy Of loafers-but
learned, devoted, pious corps Of teachers
5 wholly given up to the work who's
minds shall be free from all other care!
aud who at the same time must be libel
ally remuneratedl But many tax payer
in this county complain Of high taxes
/ already, and do anot desire further es
: tension Of this burthen. Upon examins
tion they viii s6nd chat avery small amoun
! Of the barthen originates from the tuitio
Il fund of the State. Take an example
! Suppose AS farm amounts to So, ,oo0, ith
State levy for tuition, would be So pc
e iannuma IF we add the utmost limit Z
8 taxation for tuition, we have, for s.. 90
State levy SO, township levy $4-totai$
} lper annln. Y = 's.f5<sls sIal p9isisl
E There are several townships in thi
county that have made no levies for cor
tinuing schools seven months insthe yea
and rest upon the State appropriation
5 Isis afact that this county gains from u
i State tuition fund, about two hundred pc
9 cent. upon her proportion Of the gran
: levy for that purpose. Yet opr farmer