Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1857-04-11
Schools, and HOW they
sGCszHd be Taught.


the fundamental pillars Of liberal govern
Iments. Since the Commonwealth Of Wis
lconsin is governed, not by any special
class, but by the mass of the male popu-
lation, it is necessary that all should be
.virtuons and intelligent. Universities and
Colleges are fitted to educate particular
classes, or denominations of society, but
the common district schools alone are adj
equate to furnish the means of education
to all. 1t is true that these schools are
not what they ought to be; that they have
not the requisite teachers, libraries, charts
and instruments, TO raise the educational
standard 10 height equal TO the wants
of the people. But they might be made
more useful by far, if the pupils were
thought to think and reason for them
selves.
In despotic countries different system
of education may suffice. Where the
masses are governed by others, it is con
sidered advantageous to teach chem GER
tain facts, but it is highly dangerous to
'law and ORDER" to teach them the art OF
thinking and Of self-goyernment. There
fore the Church and State guard with the
greatest jealousy the common schools a
gainst the Introduction of any topic that
wouldlead to Argument or discussion.
The are two systems Of teaching
One system proposes as its final object,
only to teach certain facts. This system
prevails all over Europe, and we are sorry
to sayis pr opagated in this country to an
aIarmingextent The other system re-
gstris the teaching of facts merely as aux
iliaries to til ought. For instance, the
teacher may state the fact the earth is
round, not as an end, but as a means to
enlarge the minds Of his scholars. The
difference btween the two systems is rad
zeal. For, instead Of requiring the child
to commit to memory long rules and 'es-
sons of any kind, the child only adva ices
in his studiesas he understands wha, he
learns. The child should never be called
upon to accept as fact anything because
it is printed III the book, whonc yer 1t is
possible to demonstrate it by reasoning
aud observation. knowledge Of facts is
necessary to create thought, aad therefore,
m ust lie taught; but he who teaches
them as an end, mistakes lis calling as a
teacher.
I child who an give a reason for the
f ath within him cscf sustaining, and can
make use of lis krowedge, which is COM
monty called common sense" in all the
Of life, while the child who
is merely & pendent upon his memory, is
notonly liable to forget, but is often una
bic to use the knowledge he possesses.
Up to certain age, recourse to books
is necessary to the child, but when he ar
r;ves at the age of twelve or fourteen, a
discussion Of the lesson is more desirable
than mere recital of it. 1t is absolutely
necessary that the child should compre-
bend ana understand that Which he re-
cites, for unless he does, he can derive
little benefit from his lessons. Teachers
should bear in mind, that it is their task to
cultivate the best powers Of their scholars,
and awaken a spirit Of enquiry among
them, which will Fit them to command
their own destiny, when obliged to strug-
ole with the vicissitudes and trials OF man
hood Milwaukee Free Dem.