Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-01-13
Gbututiunal Depurtment.

Nh. EDIroR Dear Sir: AS you have devo-
ted column Of your interesting sheet to the
great cause of Education, and have given a
general Invitation to all who feel disposed to
contribute. 7. as lover OF our sspublic school
system,'' win throw in my mite, hoping that
1t may. in some slight degree, add to the gen.
eral interest of that great scheme. on which
hangs the future destiny OF cur glorious Re-
public. The promoters of this great reforming
engine, have labored for number OF years, il
this county, as well as in many others, under
the most trying circumstances. The good de-
signs of their untiriDg effeFts have, time and
again, been frustrated, through the deliuquen-
CT of few individuals. They have, with grief
and vexation, witnessed the small degree Of
interest taken by their neighbors in this great
cause, and have in many instances beheld, to
their great regret, the fame, which had been
kindled with so much care and toll. which was
expected TO shed light and knowledge upon all
around, and before whose piercing rays igno-
rance and superstition must always retreat,
dwindle and die, and again moral gloom set
tie down upon them. This was when the sys-
tenn was in its infancy. Still they toiled On.
With unrelenting diligence they buffeted the
storms of opposition. and Low, reward Of
their untiring zeal, they have the extreme de-
light OF seeing the dawn OF glorious morn
bursting forth, before whose light the gloomy
yapors OF ignorance, and opposition retreat,
as darkness retreats before the morning sun.
Their iabors are now being crowned with sue
cess. y general interest has been awakened.
New shool-houses are being erected. Where
once stood the dismal log cabin, we now be-
hold cheerful commodious building. Where
once was employed, as teacher, the 'isUrly,
crusty. old bachelor whose look was suffi-
cient TO throw timid child into spasms, and
who only knew enough to brandish the rod
over the head OF the terrified pupil we now
have employed pleasant, intelligent teachers. |
who, by their kind looks and gentle manners, |
at once secure the love and respect of their
pupils, and this being accomplished. they |
scarcely find occasion for the application OF
the rod. Instead of the schoOl-room being re- |
garded ny pupils with terror, it is looked upon |
with delight as the very source and fountain |
of their enjoyments; and its attractions are so
great that parents are no longer necessitated |
to compel their children 10 attend, but with
light heart and quick step they are off every
morning, at an early hour, toward the attrac
tive mansion. The Improvement of the sspub- |
lie schools" has, for the last three years, been
SO rapid in this county, that even their most |
cmbttered enemies are compelled 70 acknowl- |
edge their upward march and many, very
many, who were once hostile to the system, |
are now acquiescing, and even acknowledge |
its utility. But, after all this, there is still /
room for improvement. Our schools have not |
yet reached their zenith of perfection. Some /
districts are still destitute of comfortable hou-
ses; Others have their progress retarded by
having in Office delinquent and arbitrary Di-
rectors; and it remains for Us to toll on, to
surmount all obstacles, to build new houses
where they are needed, to elect more Jealous
Directors instead of those who neglect their
duty, and thus, by diligently discharging ev-
cry duty, our schools. in this sequestered re-
gion, will mount upward, and soaring aloft, /
viii scale one point OF perfection after another,
until they will compete with those Of the east /
ern counties, this evidences bud and bios |
som like the rose.'' and those flexible, noun /
tain-reared intellects become expanded and
polished to their utmost extent. The public |
benefit received from the cultivation of the /
moral and intellectual faculties oE all classes,
Is sufficient to r5nuneTate ali oEr toll. Il is 1
the spontaneous establishment OF colleges and (
seminsries, the moral instruction Afforded by 4
them, the education or the lower classes, and /
the high spirit OF refinement prompted by the |
influence OF our free institutions, that free our
northern States from those glaring outrages /
tod nv artIfr-cfoctTc -,,.1,c nj
our lives and property secure. =. In the
Southern States, pedantic, hanghty, domi-
neering spirit exists among the controlling /
classes; sensual, debasing amusements are
practiced among the lower; and the cultiya- |
tion of the moral and intellectual faculties is |
looked upon with too little interest.
Then let US arouse, and apply our shoulders /
to the great wheel of reformation with re- 1
doubled yigor. J.L.K.
Newcastle, Decatur TIP.