Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-25

ed Let all the children be sent to the high
school in their high school district at least two,
say, three terms before they come Of age. Let
parents and guardians who are able to pay tut
ton allow the children of poor families to go
free of tuition. On this plan the number of
scholars annually in attendance in each high
school, would be some one hundred to one hun
dred and fifty. The tuition paid throughout
the State would annually yield surplus that
might clothe and board the few neglected,
abandoned, and pauper children within the high
school precincts Yes, this class must be reach
edit is an emphatic duty. To them the State
is the ultimate guardian. Let her never falter
in this highest trust of humanity and justice.
That measure is blessed a holy institution,
that takes under its culture and care such I'M
fortunates in childhood, rescuing them from the
temptations that surround and wayay the des-
titute and abandoned, raising them up for use
fulness and clothing them with right and cul-
tivated mind. As matters now stand in this
respect such children, comparatively uncared
for, unskiled and untaught to struggle against
vice, too often, in the end, have no blush for
crime, no dread of the poor-house, and no fear
f of the prison or the scafold.
The system proposed is practical, economical
and simple. If carried out, Vermont thereby
, DEGREES that around every child she will throw
!, panopy of defence against temptation and
, crime. Should Vermont so decide, she would
, enact system whose results for good would be
imperishable-a governmental act perhaps with
out parallel.
We will new suppose our high schools to be
in full operation, some hundred or more in num-
Der, having on an average in each, q hundred
| and fifty scholars in attendance. Only think
of it-ffteen thousand children annually pur-
D suing the higher walks of literature. This Of
itself would be a sublime spectacle.
A portion of the advanced children Of the
rudimental schools are now gathered into our
high school districts They here find them
selves on a higher plain of action. They are
no longer in their little schoo-houses witnessing
the teaching of the infant pupils. Their eyes
: are lifted up to perceive higher labors and du-
ties. They pass under the healthy discipline of
s the higher institute. They are now brought
n into competition with mind acting more effect
; ually on mind. They pass through the lyceum,
n the exercises of defamation, composition, and
t the debate they will write for their mimic
+ newspaper; they are now under food of new
a and important influences. Before the term
closes they have ceased to be the children they
i; were when the term commenced They begin
n to hink-they feel some pride of character
o changes have taken place within them which
If will give control and color to all their after
G life.
II The first term has closed now approach
e The power that will sustain this system-that
f power is the mothers heart As her child re-
n turns, she first of all and at once sees a change
J. She observes in her child purer speech, cul-
l. tivated look, a thoughtful eye, change from
,e idle amusements to study and reflection We
If have now reached the fountain of that power
Il which will accomplish all that is desired in this
n behalf. The mother is now interested-through
l. her affections she sees ALL She has already
looked into the future! Who can now dampen
If the ardor of that mothers heart? Who can
a darkcn her hopes that her child might prove
is worthy of this public benefacton-that he
e might become u credit, an honor, even, to his
IF own dear native State?
r The mother now fully understands and appre-
d ciates the cares due to her little ones in the pri-
,e mary school.
h The second term mas closed The child again
it returns. He now talks of the science of agri-
rs culture, of geology, mneralogy, of the differ
g ent kinds of earths, of chemical changes, or he
d discourses of classics, breathing the wish that
,e he might still ascend. And where is the moth
% err? She has retired in secret, her whole frame
lie dlating with mothers joy. She still looks
ir forward into the far off future. Her eye kim
q, dies as she sees the mental the social elevation
j. her child may yet attain. Her overlooking
If heart consecratcs itself anew to her divine mis-
1t sion in flood of tears. The father and moth
er now stand side by side one in interest and in
Of hope. What to them was once impossible, has
N disappeared. They now determine on many
r, changes in matters of luxury, of pleasure,
Of introduce various economical plans, resolved on
of many selfdenials, and bid their child to hope.
re The child returns at the close of the third
st term an advanced scholar, fitted perhaps for
re college.
III We have now passed the great ordeal. Our
l. system is now cndeared to the public mind
It At first a fat of the Supreme Power went forth
10 and onward, until it found its orbit in the pa
"a rental affections thenceforth it moves in har-
- mony around the great controlling centre-thc
,e parental heart.
re- On and after the third term, our State will
g be full of competent teachers of common
re- schools. Their number will induce competition
\ and diminish teachers wages. We can then
, select common school teachers who shall com
j bine with their educational fitness, moral ant
=. SOCIAL qualities.
Our colleges are now in droopiug condition
o They have excellent Faculties, and deserve bet
j. ter patronage. They have neither been over
,s looked or forgotten in our system. Out of the
N fifteen thousand scholars that annually, on and
~ after the third term, will be thrown off from
in our high schools, hundreds annually will &C
is still further, and enter, and fill up our colleges.
IA This system would diminish, in large num-
10 Der of common school districts, the expense Of
their common schools. In the small districts
% longer summer terms could be held for children
h. fitting for the high school, and the winter term
N disnensed with This would often be adyisabl,