Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-01-08

Is favorie hobby. In the afternoon. a
report on Normal Schools, from Charles
Barnes. was read, and very freely discuss
ed by the members. The subject Of Nor
NAL Schools is beginning TO arouse the at
tentiou of the teachers of the State. For
almost every pursuit in life some prepare
ton is deemed necessary. The physician,
the lawyer and divine, must each spend
several years in the previous study of his
profession, while the teacher has no means
of obtaining any preparation for entering
upon the duties of his--a profession in
some respects more important than either
OF the others. We look upon the minister
as unprepared for his calling. unless he has
spent several years in the study of Theolo-
gy. We will not trus. diseased physical
system, in the hands of physician who
has not had the benefit of regular course
of instruction in the science of medicine.
/ We will not enlrust SUIT in court, involv-
! ing the sum of twenty dollars, to lawyer
who is mere sciollst in his profession
We will not even employ a mechanic to
shoe horse or mend watch until he has
passed long apprenticeship; but he 20
whom is entrusted the care of the youth
full mind. and in a great degree, also, the
child's moral culture, can obtain the rel
uisite knowledge of his profession only by
long series of experiments. Is it any wonder
the young teacher sometimes fails? And
should we blame him if he does? A good
Normal School would remedy these evils,
and its effects, as in Michigan, would be
seen in the improved character of our
schools.
The report of Mr. Barnes was in the
form of memorial to the Legislature; and
it is to be hoped the subject will speedily
receive that attention which lis importance
demands. The Report was referred tc the
Standing Committee. and the discussion
upon it gave place to an address on Phys
zeal Education, by Dr.. Bobbs. He uttered
one sentence which should be treasured up
: as motto for teachers: 1--WE teach too
much from books He advocated the
formation Of one or more Normal Schools
in the State, and would have gymnastics
taught in the schools. The scholars plays
: especially. should be so directed as to give
} strength and vigor to the system. liens
, saaa an corpore. A sound mind in a sound
holy. The House we live in should be
, carefully cherished in orlerto give efficien
cy and power to he mind.
In the evening we listened to n very fine
address on the general subject Of Educa-
ton, by Col. Bryant. Gov. Wright was
present.; and saw a smile pass over his
face as the Colonel repeated the remark
"What we withhold from the education OF
the child. we doubly expend in correcting
tie vices of the man." IL will be found
think, in one Of the Cows messages
Never was a greater tru'sm uttered.
5 Wednesday morning, various matters o.
interest to teachers were discussed, and
n this fnally ceased to give place to an ad
> dress by Prof Twining, of Charlottesville
\ College, on A System of Education bes
r adapted to the wants of tie American
: People. The address was one that should
be circulated broadcast all over the United
States i should like TO give you an alb
strac, of It, but want of space forbids. l
commenced with the Primary School. anf
went upward to the University, meann.
by University, not mere College, digri
. fed with this title. but University whep
every form acknowledge should be taught
and to any extent desired.
l. This address was followed by one on th
y History of Public School Education i
Indiana, oy ]. B. Dillon, Esq, of Indian
apolis. This address did not hear. as
meeting with an opportunity Of visiting
the Asylum in company with friend,
- improved It. An accoun. Of this visit
will give you in my next. 81
In tie evening we listened 70 the closin
S address BY the venerable DR.. White, Pres
ident of Charlottesville College. The A:
sociation will hold its next Semi-annu'
3 session on the / 18th day Of August, 1885,
:, ;. in the city of Richmond. The pIesel
: session was we'll attended, and showed tn;
the teachers of the State are alive to II
interests of their great work. Where
. Marshall county? / believe it was moi rel
,esented The Indiana Journal of Educ
ton and the State Teachers ASSOCIATE,
:, are two Of the greatest powers in the wo
of Education. and they should receive Il
countenance and support of every teach
and friend of education throughout d
Va State The teachers are fully determine
to remove the stigma of having among
y 10000 persons who neither read nor writ
i'e ~ y,,r T.oic1atore and all classes