Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-12-01
For the "Raftsm ans Journal. /"
WHAT'S EDUCATION!

7" LII ID GDOOA4 1O4Ns
This is question that is often asked, and
nearly as often improperly answered. 1t is
very evident, to every candid observer, that
there are wrong impressions prevalent in re-
gard to this subject. Any who doubt this as
sertion, to be convinced of its truthfulness,
only need mingle with the masses of the peo-
pie, for short time, and converse with them
on the subject of education. Every man
seems to have his own peculiar ideas about
what constitutes an education. And it is per-
fectly right, in this land OF freedom, for every
man to enjoy his own opinion; but person
who has the happiness of thinking as he pleas
es, should be very careful that he thinks right
that he comes to correct conclusions before
he establishes himself in his opinions. On
subjects of minor importance it is not so ne
cessary that all see, think and act alike, but
on a subject so momentous as Education it is
highly important that right views be enter
tained-that persons be agreed as to what con-
stitutes it, and that there be cooperation
between the friends of education, parents,
children, and teachers.
do not wish to be understood in this as i.
busing any mans opinion. Neither do de-
sire to rob any educational creed of the good
1T possesses. 1 wish, simply, to state my
views-to tell what think is not, and what is
education. And after candid, thorough, pa
tient and thoughtful hearing, leave the rea-
der to judge whether am reasonable or not
The origin and meaning of the term are the
first things that shall claim our attention, by a
definition of which We may be led TO better
understanding of the subject.
The term Education is of Latin origin. It
comes from the Latin words and duco, which
mean to lead or bring out, with the suffixes 1,
Ching done,) and ion, (act off, Hence Its lit
eral Specification is the act of leading. or bring
ing out; and, in its application to mankind,
means the leading, bringing, or drawing out,
and due development of the whole man with
all his faculties and powers. And nothing
short of the cultivation of the whole man is
worthy tho name of Education.
Some think that education is completed
when the child has learned to name the words
in reading, whether he understands them or
not; to write miserable scIawl, and to cipher
to the ssRuie of Three Others going little
farther, would add fine handwriting, a re-
spectacle knowledge OF Arithmetic, Book
keeping, and something of Composition and
Letter-writing. Others go still farther ard say
child is not educated till he has knowledge
OF Grammar, Geography, Philosophy, and AL
zebra. These are all very good far they
60, and, indeed, very necessary. But it is
very evident that they fall far short of an ed
ucation.
Others take more comprehensive view OF
the subject and advocate what is called col
Iegiate education. They think if they send
their sons and daughters to some celebrated
Institution of learning, where they may pass
through course of studies and receive diplo-
mas, they have done nobly-they have educa-
ted their children. But here is sad mistake
The fact of mans having received the title
of A. b. or A. NJ. does not prove that he is ed
ucated. Notwithstanding this, he may be as
destitute of physical training as a child of five
summers. A man may have risen almost to
the climax of human excellence in regard TO
intellectual improvement, and yet be a DOOR
puny, weakly creature, not able to endure the
fatigues of single days labor. L do not
wish to be understood as discarding colleges
and other institutions of learning, but l dc
disapprove of the manner in which some OF
them are conducted.
But, says another, to intellectual improve.
ment L would add that OF physical training.
But, pray SIT, will this better the matter any.
IL will only make il worse ; because having a
superior mental and physical training only
gives the possessor the double advantage of
defrauding his fellow men and of enforcing
subsection to his unjust measures. This has
already stigmatiZed education. Persons of su-
perior mental training alone, will take the ad-
vantage OF others, and then the incensed party
will say that education makes men rornes
Education, however, disowns such children
they are not hers. They ever have been an in
jury and disgrace to the cause, and will be
until education is properly understood. Who
has not heard lazy fellows say, s:I'll go to
school and get an education, and then I'm not
going to slave my self this way; I'll live with
out work" Many say SO and try to act it out
in life. But are they educated 1 answer,
No. They are in possession of little learn
Ing, and 1t is proving dishonor to themselves
ana curse to the world. They are robust,
witted fellows, and can carry their point at any
hazard; II not by words, then by blows. They
are trained intellectually and physically, but
what has become of their moral nature A.
las It has been sadly neglected Thus they
are unprincipied men; but education has N OF
MADE them So They never were educated
That destructive sword. mans evil nature has
been unsheathed and sbarpened to a polished
brightness, and the bearer, unrestrained turn
ed loose to commit unsufferable outrages upop
his fellow men, and at last use it to his own
everlasting destruction. Better have less
learning and more education.
What, then, asks the reader, is Education /?
1t Is physical, moral, and intellectual train
ing. 1t is not the leading out of a part of the
man to the neglect of the others but IL ia an