The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-03-11
For the journal.
HI. ". DOhgc.


EDIroR JoURNAL:-I have real with shame
and modification, the letter of II. H. Dodge,
published in the Journal Of last week Had il
contained single word in commentator of,
or encouragement TO- the teachers Of the county,
might have regarded it with some favor and
attributed to him desire to discuss the subject
Of education with fairness and candor. But
from the first syllable to the last of his remarka-
BILE communication, the teachers of the county
are treated with contumely, dersion and con-
tempt. He affects to sneer at them for their
| ignorance, yet some of them are as far above
him in moral and intellectual attainments, as
the Heavens are above the Earth. There are
many Of them, whose shoes lalchet he is not
worthy to unloose.'
His letter, as literary production docs not
rise to the dignity of contempt, and is utterly
unworthy of criticism. 1t contains not a single
we'll constructed sentence, and is marked from
end TO end with silly egoism, puerility and vul.
garity. AS public document, it is an unm,i-
gated disgrace to our county. AS represen-
alton of our educational condition, it is a gross
libel. AS wanton attack upon the professional
uii iOlututioli VI OuI lCdCuSTS, II
commands from them their supreme scorn and
detestaton. Yet the author of such produc
ton, atfcts superiority over me and my cola
borers in the "teachcr's calling" Pah!
! Let no one say that in the above remarks,
am harsh, severe, or manifest too much warmth.
The degrading reflections bestowed upon us
(ca chers of the county, are scattered broad cast
throushou, the State by means of the Commis
sioner's Report; are stamped with the seal Of
official position, and we are forced to suffer un-
der his unjust and cruel aspersions without the
ability to apply the antidute where he has de,
posted the poison. The feeblest insect will
bite tho hanl that has seized it to crush, and
shall not we resent the indignity that is sought
to be heaped upon US
Time was, when ii was considered an honor
10 receive a certificate of qualification from
the Examiners Of Wood county, when their
endorsement Of character and attainment, as
evidenced BY their certificate, was held sufli
Gent in several counties. 1t can not be so
hereafter. The name of H. H. Dodge upon a
certificate, will at once attach suspicion to it,
stream can not rise higher than its fountain
head. ignorance and vulgarity are unsuitable
levers with which to elevate the standard of a
teachers qualifications, or promote the great
and glorious cause of popular education.
shall never exhibit certificate with his name
10 III, unless IL is rendered necessary to get my
pay for teaching
Many have queriel why Mr.. Dodge should
have written the letter under consideration
Some have heard, attribute it to the opposition
which Citho,ics bear to our public school sys
tenn | can not award him so much credit.
think, howe yer, T.! ere were Two promine mt rea
sons for his writing as he did. First, he sought
80 wreak revenge upon the teachers for the ill,
disguised contempt which he had taught many
5 OF them to entertain toward himself Second
he did not know how to do any better. He haC
not sense enough to make iudieious selection
: of topics for discussion, nor ability sufficient to
examine Them in even a decent manner.
He has proved himself unfit both in disposi
ton and qualification for the position he occu
pies, and the interests of education demand hi
o resignation. | hope and trust shall never
n meet him at another examination.
Yours Respectfully,
A TEACHER.
! Bowling Green, March S, 1858
7. s. ! think our State Commissioner o
: Common Schools did wrong in embodying il
r his report. such an undignfied and scarrou
attack upon our teachers. He is personally &C
. quaintod with many of them, and must hav
. known, had ha reflected for moment, tha
: Dodges letter was an exhibition of pet t
;, malice, or gross libel. | will give him tn
, credit to believe, that he inserted it without frs
:, Uivinu IL IsliharatA COnsi1pra finn