The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-02-10

not be folly to expect snything like progress or
improvement in the scholar? We are desirous
that our youth should advance in their studies,
but it seems that we do not properly consider
the part zoe have to perform and that it is neces-
sary for us to lay to helping hand. r,
Our form Of government is certainly prefera-
bic to all others, yet it is our opinion that the
systems ofinstruction Of some of the Germanie
States, would not suffer in some points by com
parison with that of our own. We beg leave
in this connection to refer to the laws of Prussia
regulating the intellectual training of her youth.
She appears to possess exalted notions Of the
value of thorough mental culture, and to be
fully impressed with the Importance ofhaving
weI-reguIated system of national Instruction.
1t is stated that Teacher is provided tor every
ten Of her children, and that all little beys and
girls certain age are compellelby laV to attend
school. We believe also that those who vii
fully disregard the requirements of the law rel
alive to the atten lance Of their children. are
fined for such culpable negligence. 1t is to he
presumed that there is little dallying there on
the way as all are required to be at school at the
appointed time AMI to remain there during the
school.hourS Of the day Were the Legislature
of the State Of Ohio to pass such law, attach
ing suitable penalty to the violation thereof II
would cause many careless parents and guar
dams to ZEN their eyes, and arouse them to a
sense Of their duty.
There Should be general waking up on the
subject ofparental Co operation. The Teacher
may adopt any rules ne pleases in reference to
the attendance Of his pupils, but without the aid
OF the people, he will always have difficulty in
enforcing his rules. Some may say, "This is a
free country and we will do as we please; it is
nobody's business whether we send our children
to school regularly or not, or whether we re-
oure them to go at ALL" But it will not do to
argue thus, Government has kindly furnish
ell us with the means of paying the expenses of
tuition. What is the apparent design in ap
proprating such vast sum ofmoney for school
purposes? Is it to benefit a part of our youth,
or all of them? Manitcstly the latter, and we
are bound as an honest, law-loving AMI honora'
be people to make a julcious use Of the means
thus afforded as. Suppose the Legislature of
this State at its present session, were to make a
large appropriation efmoney, to be laid out in /
the purchase OF handsome watch for each
householder of the State, provided he would,
during the present educational year, require his !
children to attend school regularly and punctu-
ally would there not be an increase Of paren-
tai care and interest manifested in order to Sc |
cure this article Of material wealth? Well, we
have the enormous average sum of tWo million
s:UeR hHn{rel thousand dollars set apart annually
for The purpose OF procuring an article ofgreat
value for our youth--the unperishng wealth
of the mind. Let uS then wisely consider our
duty The time will come when our children
will occupy urplaces. The helm Of Govern
ment will be intrusted to their management,
and the various Offices Of Church and State will |
engage their attention. How important it is
then, that they should be thoroughly QUALIFIED
TO fill the lif.rent stations in life to VIII ch they
may he called. Let us then as a people attend
carefully to the instruction Of our youth. Thew
will then--increasng in intelligence and virtue
be blessing to society, and an honor to their
country ANXIOUS.