Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-02-17
Communication.

you state that an action vas brought
against Teacher in Rowland, charged
with giving M Of his pupils rather a
severe logging and that he was bound
over &c. After which you give some
peculiar vieUs of your own. which you
call speaking generally. Now Sir per
NIT me to say that you havs Committed
two very great errors.
First; you are most egregiously mistak-
en- in the idea that our Common Schools
can be successfully taught, without the
Rod properly, judiciOusly and in many
cases, right smartly appli-d. Secondly;
l consider it uugenerous and illtimea, to
publish those peculiar views at this
particular time, while so many absurd
and ridiculous stories, are in circulation
in reference TO the above. cited case from
the fact that many are forming their opin
inions Of the merits of this case, from the
implications in your article. that the
Teacher used a Hickory Club AMI
beat the pupil as though he were a
beast.
The Teacher spoken of is my Son and
l deem it but justice to him. hat the
pnblic mind should be d~isabused. The
main facts are these: The pupil is a stout
heavy built Boy about l6 years of aye.
OF rather a sullen and stubborn disposition.
he had violated the les of the school
and some IL witnesses on both sides, all
agreedin their testimony, hiatt he Teach
er called him on 10 the 1Dor and used
your much Wanted Mid and Suaso-y
system some 10 minutes, asking him if ne
would try and behave himself the bal
alce Of the term and other similar ques
tons, but it was all in vain, the boy was
as sullen and mulish as ever.
The Teacher then took a slim beach
switch. or CAD, four or FIVE feet long AMI
less than half an inch diameter at the
butt snd struck him II blows on the
back, then paused and asked him the
same question again; the boy gave a
part and indefinite answer and the Teach
er gave him eight blows more. there
paused and asked the same question
again; the snswer was Yes Sr; h. was
then permitted to take Lis seat; here is
the two systems, ssde by side; Ten min
utes Moral Sudsion and nothing accom-
plished; but FIVE minutes Beech Suasion
and the pupil agrees to obey the Rules
and behave himself.
Ny opinion is that when a person is
susceptible ola Moral impression. it is
well to use suasion, but when that fails,
then put on the Rod until the subject
says Yes Sir. approve the old Proverb
The whip fer the Horse. The Bride Tor
he Ass but The Rod for the Fools Back.
You say that schools formerly rnled by
he rod, were Pandemoniums and that
low, when the rod Is rejec Ell. they are
luiet places; Please sir just reverse that
and notwiths,ani In, your re-
marks to the contrary, | dare assert
hat a large majority of the Teachers aufi
Community in Trumbuil Couuty. will
.ay it is correct and l say candidly
o any one that is at a loss TO know the
meaning Of the word Pandemonium aai
las no, Webster at hand just look il at
iome of our connie or schools where the
Rod is rejected and you can understand
t fully.
But Sir; l know OF no stronger argu
nent to present you. than to refer you to
he same paper, Feb. 81. on the right
land column, at the bottom of the FIRST
page, to an article headed Young Amer.
ica; here you have It in a nutshell. a
true specimen of the hoy, whose Parents
md Teachers have rejected the rod; and
[ ask you in all condour do you moi
.bink a young Gentleman of that stamp,
would be a good subject to practice your
principles upon.
| regret to say also that the prevailing
want of proper correction on the part of
Parents and Teachers, coupled with the
in oul Journals generally, OF
such articles as that headed Young
America, is the great reason why the Car
I~catureis 50 much like many of our ris-
ing generation.
But Sir: it is said you are a bachelor,
THE Senior l mean and have no exper
ience in raising children, l would Just say,
hat if you should get Married and raise
half a dozen young cubs and reject the
rod entirely from our family and if one
Of them should get a few wholesome
clips in school and when you sue the
Teacher therefor, you pass by two res
pectable Justices in your W township.
because you can get more Lao than Jus
ice somewhere else, then if you do not
raise some perfect specimens. of Young
America then is not my name
JAS. D. KENNEDY.
FARMISsToE, February 10, 1858.
Our friend Kennedy is decidedly spicy,
rather like 10 have a man pitch into
US occasionally. whether he is in the
right or wrong. In this instance. Mr..