Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-22
r.noher., A..celo,ron.

The annual meeting Of this Association in this
city. today, brings with it mingled sensations of
pleasure and pGin-pieasure that such a meeting
should be held for che Advancement Of the cause
Of eduoaton,a cause among the noblest and great
estin which men can engage, and pain at she re-
Fiction, thAtA moiety, at least, and probably
large portion Of those who assemble-a portion.
certainly not the least intelligent. capable, useful,
or successful-come here with paddock upon
their lips, arbitrarily and absolutely forbidden,
BY despotic rule Of tho Association, to open
their mouths to say a word on any Of the subjects
which may claim the consideration Of the body.
And this is in free AmericA-in the last half Of
the nineteenth century, and in an association Of
those, whose business 1t is, to mould the minds
and give direction to the thoughts Of the rising
generation-of those, who are to come after us,
and to WELD for veal or for vO. the destiuiss Of
the country. a
We took occasion to make some remark on
this rule at the time II was adopted, bat We had
no idea, then, that it would stand till this time
unrepealed, as it was simply an outeropping Of
that nsrrowness and ilhberAlisy, which pure una.
dulteraied pedAgoguisn too often fixes upon the
mind manifestation ot the same kind OF spIr
1t, which induces journeymen tailors, or other
tradesmen, TO resist the employment of females
In their business. although they may be better
adapted for 1t than themselves Abundant expe-
Eienes has proved, what is now almost universal
ly conceded, that in she talent and quAlifica.
lions for training and educating the youthful
mind, females excel males. Yet this association
does not permit any female, however high her
qualifications or great her experience, to make
she most modest suggestions on any question
that is discussed, to call in question any opinion
that may be advanced, or to suggest any subject
for debate, however full her heart may be upon
It. 1t is true, that In the call for this Getting,
the President and Secretary say;
Ladies are earnestly solicited to present byjet
essays upon the subjects assigned for discussion
and gentlemen are urgently requested TO prepare
themselves for the debates" oI55
This is but adding insult to tho injury Who
would acceptths privilege Of writing brief ss
say on subject which others we're to discuss
freely, to be subjected 10 the chances Of having
its positions controvertsd, Its arguments mis-
stated perverted, and lie whole perhaps treated
with ridicule; and all this without the right Of
saying single word in reply or defence We do
not believe the female teachers are 50 lost TO
sense OF proper sef-respsst.
Were we member Of the Association, We would
not cease to protest against this unmAnly, de-
grading, and insulting rule. We would bring up
the question the first opportunity, and should
consider the time we'll spent, IL we obtained the
repeal, even though il should be at the sacrifice
of every other object for which the meeting was
called. We hope that some member, privileged
10 speak, will;brng it up at an early stage Of the
business, and at least give an opportunity for the
members to record their yeas and nays upon it,
that itmight be known who ofthsm is in favor
OF equal justice to all, and who is willing to say
virtually, to all the female teachers Of the State,
that they do not want their counsel, aid, OF pres
snce, sven, At any future meeting Of the Assoeia-
tiOn