Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-02-04
AN EDUCATIoNALM MOVEMENT
CHARIoTTE.

We are permitted 10 MIL NS mn
nuspcious circumstance the fact that on the even
ing of Wednesday last, the Goth, the good people
Of this town met in solemn conclavc, to consider,
for tho first time probably since we had
name to be, ns body corporate the condition and
wants Of the community on the subject Of Schools
We can do no less in justice to our much cs-
'teemed friend Mr.. c. NJ. SEArov, Town supcrin-
tcndcnt Of Common Schools, than to give him
credit prime mover in this matter, by acknow-
edgng onr obligations to him for providing early
in the winter in the person Of the Secretary of the
Vt. Board Of Education very acceptable lecturer,
who by his timely remarks gave the first impetus
to the hitherto sleeping energies of the good town
of Charlotte
This was the beginning of what We would fain
hope is better day for the interests Of the rising
generation and the sociol sVst1n connected with
community Some choice spirits associated in
tho cast part Of tho town for Literary purposes
caught the inspiration and added n little fuel to
the flame, which resulted in the above noticed
gathering.
Tho meeting organized by making Deacon
E. II. Wheeler Moderator, and p. +. Pcasc, ESD,
Clerk, and after an appropriate PRAYER offered by
Rev Mr.. Amos, Pastor If the Methodist church.
We proceeded to discuss tho proprcty Of attempt
ing to institute at some central point, for the
greatest convenience Of the citizens generally, m
Aca9cmy or Hgh Scl1ol, to be founded Mt the
public expense, on the Grand List Of the Town.
This particular form was chosen ms most likely
to all the opposition to be expected and give
us an opportunity to take our soundings and
bearings, So that the friends Of the measure might
know about their real strength in any future
emergency very interesting remarks were
submitted on both sides Of the question. The OPP
ponent. of the measure instanced the very corr
spicuous and unhappy failure Of the Academy in
cur sister town of Fcrrisburgh, and the general
condition Of decline and ruin of that class Of in
stitu,ons all abroad, rs a reason why VIC should
greatly err, if VIC should embark in any such en-
terprisc. overlooking the fact that the decline Of
other institutions around is the best reason in the
world why should attempt to serve our own
necessities in this behalf and also 0, err looking Of
failing t. give due wei ht to the consideration that
these institutions, and similar attempt in our own
town to found a female seminary, failed mainly
because they the result Of a local impulse and
interest, and not wisely planned or even intended
to allay any iealousics or local prcjudiccs likely
to be arrayod against such a schemc-that they
were and have too ten been founded by few
individuals against the express wishes and inter
csts of the majority, and in way identified with
our Public School System.
Our conservative friends introduced some small
talk, also about learuiy' making boys and girl,
hate to work, J. on account Of our decreasing
population, difficulty Of obtaining good help
and the .sity Of fathers laying by il,yc stare,
for their generate children, who have not energy
enougi I, take care of themselves; just as though
if the money was not well invested in laying found
ations for good institutions among US, instead o
being hoarded to breed idlcncss, our children would
not be encouraged to help themselves and stimu
lated by the spur Of their own wants to thrift and
energy; and just rs though our suicidal policy OF
refusing to provide FOR the wants Of the masses
had not driven away every decent spirited man
punish our sins.
1t was urged on the part Of the friends Of the
measure, that We were suffering under paralysis
the subject Of Schools as a community, owing
partly to the fact that we have common centre
where our interests in any good degree idcutii
ed, and we may readily learn our social wants and
necessities; partly, that we have so many wealthy
citizcns-unconsciou Of and Indifferent to the dis
abilities under which many of our fellow citizen.
are struggling-who send their children to be
schooled abroad, upon foundations laid by wiser
heads and more scltdcuying hands, instead Of pay.
ing their money for good schools at home and thu.
at less expense, perhaps, to themselves relieve the
necessities and the wants Of their poorer and
less fortunate neighbours and that the natural
results Of our isolated and unsympathetic habits
seen in the empty seats in churches, in our
decayng interest in moral, intellectual and rcli.
gous institutions, that the natural increase
of our population is hot absorbed and assimilated
much less the influx Of forcign-bprn citizens Of q
different religion, who, it would seem, are sent to
shore, by the order Of Providence, to test the
vitality Of pious and patriotic institutions and
ourselves, by bringing them under the influence OF
the principle Of the Eefornatiou-all which we
have failed to Go--so failed. that 81 tue felt
want Of their own natures, they have been COM
pertcd, by sheer necessity, to seek for Iiefy aid
to rear the standard Of new faith, which is not a
new one but the same for opposing which our
Puritan fathers were forced t" peru me- fortune
and ALL in seeking homo on these then lnhospita-
bic New England shores and which now finds us so
departed from the principles and spirit Of their
institutions, as to afford the influences and agencies
adapted to foster its growth in our midst.
,.,,',,., -c.I,s, ,,....,.;.,-.
The atempt to establish COMMON CENTER, &c, propos,
to establish t, Gradc ScIools Of hyh ordo--one IN
the East and the ofto m The Wcst part Of the To'o-
and laid on the table for discussi m in two weeks