The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-11-13
Male and Female Students.

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excellent work entitled, we believe, the
"Young Mans Book" or something Of
the kind, spoke of what he termed "the
half Mahometan custom of separating the
sexes at school," At the present day,
whom education is beginning slowly to be
regarded in its true light as the most
important element of progress and of
civilization, this subject of the degree
to which the sexes, while at school, should
be allowed to associate, is, if delicate, at
least one of Importance, and one well
worthy discussion.
Horace Mann is indeed man whose
views on the subject of education deserve
the highest respect. He has studied on
it, spoken on it, and done all this not en-
amateur, or as one who has taken up a
speciality to catch the public, but as one
whose heart is in the work. Recently
Horace Mann, at q religious convention,
while discussing Antioch College, was
asked his opinion of the plan of educat-
ing the two sexes together, and at the
same institution. To this he replied, that
he approved of their association together,
under judicious supervision. The COM
plete separation of the sexes in different
schools and colleges was obnoxious in his
opinion, to the objection that it made Of
the young men monks, Of the young wo-
men nuns. "He had no great respect for
either of these classes"
In discussing this subject, two points
first presented themselves: firstly, the fact
that association with those of the opposite
sex refnes boys or young men more than
any other influence, and secondly, that no
boys ormen are so perfectly bad or immoral
as those who do not associate withwo-
men. Boys in boarding schools, men on
board ship, officers in barracks, are ten
times more dspraved in their language
and habits than the same persons when
mingling with the world and society,"
No boys or men are SO radically bad, OF
have so Indifferent an opinion of the op-
posite sex, as those who see or know little
or nothing of them. Their sensual pas
sions are the only influences which remind
them of women, and being under no re.
straint, they speak and think as they
would never do if in the habit of talking
with ladies.
Our American colleges owe nine-tenthl
of the corruption of mind which springs
up in them, to this cause. There are col
leges in this county where three-fourthl
OF all the students, during several years
seldom or never talk to lady, and thii
precisely at the time of life when it il
essential that the very best "formstiv,
influences" should be brought to bear OF
their minds. In fact, we very much doub
if any monks really see 80 little offemal,
society as most Of these young gentle
men. 1t is to this very seclusion that tn
abuse of opportunity is to be traced. A
we said before, this is delicate subject
The trouble must lie in the beginning
Yet, on the whole, we cannot but believ
that Mr.. MANI is right when he advocate
the occasional association of male and fe
male students. Under proper restraint
it would unquestionably prove the most re
fning of influences, and one eminenetll
conducive to morality and high opinion
of women. Intelligence, refinement and
high opinion of women are, in fact, identi
cal while it is rule without an exception
: that those who continually deprecate fe
male intellect and female morals are them
selves, however specifically accomplish
ed, invariably deficient when measure
: by the proper standard Of human exec
lence.-Phladelphio BULLETIN.
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