Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-23
Gnutntinnul Drpnrtnlrnt.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
WHY NOT HAVE ONE IN cLEARFIELD


These Institutions combine State authority !
with private enterprise, with the intent to aid
in the perfection of our noble school system. |
They will inspire confidence in the friends OF
free education, and assist in elevating the
Teachers calling to the true standard of a le- |
gal profession, by diploma which gives the !
holder a right to teach in any part of the State
without re-eXamination. sslt will render
uniform all over the State, the standard of ac-
quirement amongst teachers, and thus ystema-
tize and elevate the course and degree OF in
struction in all the schools.' The school will
be conducted by six professors of liberal edu-
cation and ability to give instruction in all the
common branches, to which viii! be added
Bookkeeping, History, Mathematics. Theory
and Practice of Teaching, Mental and Moral
Science, Languages, &c, together with such
other branches as the condition of the school
and the number of students may require.
There is an increased demand for higher ed
ucation, and wherever an institution OF inns
kind has been rightly located, ably and faith
fully conducted, il has been profitable and
honorable, will pay the interest of their cost
in money, and be the gamer of large divi-
dend in social benefit. Clearfeld county alone
has the material TO fill an institution of this
kind, and with little cxertOn it is believed the
means can be procured to put it in operation.
Education How significant, how express
sve of something beyond this mundane sphere
of ours. Above, how high its progress;
earound, how wide - how deep below extend.
1t fathoms the depths of the sea searches the
innermost recesses of the earth to bring forth
their hidden treasures, and scars beyond the
regions of space to view the celestial world,
and by the aid of astronomy and geometry to
observe the motions, measure the distances
and comprehend the size and magnitude OF the
heavenly bodies and the laws of nature; while
at the same time we perceive the wisdom,
strength and beauty of the great creator OF
the universe
ssWhen smooth old Ocean and each storm S asleep.
Then Ignorance may plough the watery deep;
But when the demons of the tempest rave,
Skill must conduct the vessel thro' the wave"
How many youthful minds, what amount of
bright intellect has been tortured and wrecked
in the sea of ignorance by untutOred peda-
goguesi What amount is lost TO the State
and society for want of skillfuI pilots to con-
duct the first impressions of the mental and
moral faculties Alright, to train the youth in
the way they should go, and bring them safely
to that haven of knowledge, that will make
them ornaments of the State, bright and shi
ming lights of the first magnitude in society
fit embems of Heaven
Education is progressive. We live in q pro-
gressive age, and Clearfied has good right
TO take the lead IN the establishment OF q
State Normal School in her District as any
other of the ten counties named in the Act.
Let q normal school he established in this
place or its vicinity, having all the necessary
fixtures and Professors for the different branch
fully its intentions, and the benefits resulting
from it will be almost incalculable. 1t will
bring into your midst from 800 to 600 students
of the various counties in the district, who
will be dependent in great measure Tor their
neceSSarieS and convenience of living, on the
farmers and merchanta of this place and vi
cinity. This alone would increase the value
of property very much. But q higher and
more noble end is in view than that of dollars
and cents, viz: to store the mind with useful
knowledge, to develop the powers of intellect,
to train the youth physically, mentally and
morally, SO as to answer the great design of
their creator. This will not be school for
favored few to monopolzc. MOI its aspira-
tions are sezcelsior'-higher and higher 1t
Is to Ice the Peoples college, a school for the
masses-a truly democratic institution, doing
the greatest good to the greatest number
open and free 20 all, rich and poor, high and
low; s'cheap enough for the poorest; good
enough for the best"
| think no argument will be necessary to
convince any person that State normal schools
will be the most powerful aids to prepare our
children for the multiiarious, the high and re-
sponsible duties of life, and the teachers for
the position they are TO occupy in the dis
charge of their duties. Our motto is Educa-
tion. is Advance, if we would gain the victory
over ignorance. Perfection in system of
public instruction should be aim Penn
sylvana has begun the great work of reform
in education, and will be 4 shining light in the
galaxy of States that may compose our ma
tional union. The school system better pre-
pares the teacher for his vocation, gives in
struction in the branches to be, taught as well
in school government and the art of teach
ing, induces teachers TO meet and have an in
terchange OF thought in their experience and
compare the modus operandi OF their works
with each other, so that the knowledge gained
by each separately becomes the common prop
erty of all. We not yet able to employ
COmOetplt teachers schools:
under the office of Superintendent, men unac-
quainted with the business of teaching cannot
impose upon the credulity of the people as
heretofore, and obtain the public funds with
out giving an equivalent. Through the aid o
normal schools we shall be able to place com
petent teachers in every school in the State
and in proportion to the increase of their mum
bers will be the increase OF pupils receiving
instruction, who will return 10 their homes and
friends as useful and honorable members of So
ciety, and living examples Of the benefits OF
physical, intellectual and moral culture The
rude implements of husbandry in times past
are not sufficient for the present; nor is the
teacher prepared to discharge his duty without
previous preparation for the profession. By
the aid of modern improvements and steam
power one man may control and perform the
work of hundred. in one day. This to a lin
tied extent is literally true in the art of teach
ing. 1t was thought in times past if teacher
could look over twelve or fifteen little urchin
and make the girls and boys smart with the oil
of beech, he had wrought miracles. But tina
will not do IN these fast times, when lightning
IS learned to talk and electricity conveys ou
thoughts from continent to continent with tn.
speed of light, and wheeled palaces take u
Oouily over the iron rails with the velocity o
the wind, almost annihilatirr time and space
mere SCHOOLS are properly graded and classi
fed and furnished with the necessary ixture
OF the school room, it is almost as easy n