The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-04-02
MiseeLlaqsoqs.
Eiuczdon.


This is subject to which we would
gladly draw the attention of every parent
and guardian in the land. It is one which
is worthy the deepest consideration OF
our country and of every other. When
we speak Of Education, We have not
reference exclusively or particularly to
that part of it styled book learning or
which is learned from book, but we mean
the education Of nature It is not enough
for a man to be well qualified in any
branch of learning if he has obtained
that qualification only through the medi-
um of written thoughf, only by storing in
his mind the essence of what was the
result of the exercise Of the intellectual
power Of others; it is not enough that
man should have his brain crowded with
what has crowded many brain before, or
thai it be able only to think in the same
train that some great votary of wisdom
thinks, or that he figures along the line Of
some established rule. unable or unwilling
to cross it, but he needs an originality ID
his education. A man to be strictly edu-
Gated. must be original in thought, he must
be SO in feeling, and originality must mark
ton unless he learns to think, he must
think for himself, exercise his mind, SO
that it may be strengthened, for like the
body it will grow feeble and sickly, unless
its powers are held in reasonable exercise
A man who thus thinks for himself, one
who does not depend upon what has
em4nated from the minds Of others, for
food for his own, needs no teacher to OBJ
tain what has been the master blessing of
humanity-education Such an one can.
not be hindered from storing his mind with
useful knowledge, he learns lasting les
son from every object in nature; all around
and about him, are subjects for deep
thought and attention, and he CLEANS wis.,
dom from everything his mind acts upon.
1t requires steadfast energy, persever-
ing labor Of the whole system, physical
as well as mental, to obtain what so many
profess. It cannot be left or received as
an inheritance by any, the wealthy must
work to obtain it on a level with the son
of want; the son Of the king, with the
son of the pauper, must toll hard to gain
this inheritance of the mind. Nor do we
consider an education complete, unless
Let the hand be taught to labor usefully,
let it be proficient in the work OF some
art of man, let it cast its tribute towards
the promotion of the great work going or
il the world. the betteripg of the cOudi.
tion of humanity. Educate the heart, lei
the feelings be objects of deep attention,
train them in course of virtue, make them
strong by bringing them into action. We
think if teachers and parents would try
more to impress upon the minds of chill
dren the Importance of thinking for them
studying the thoughts of Others, that theil
education would teach them this one great
foundation principle of education, the
greatest difficulty in all the course would
be overcome, for we hold it that, original
ity of thought is the one great necessity
to be obtained, and that only with i'll
existence begins the work of true educa
ton. We do not wish to dictate to edu.
Gators anywhere, but we do think, ant
have long entertained the opinion, tina
much time and energy is wasted by many
of them, in trying to drive into the head
of pupils. what ought to be placed Their
through their own free exertions, thel
ought to be taught to work themselves 70
their education, rather than that they ar
to obtain it through the labors of thei
teacher. We have here system of edu
cation which is unsurpassed by that @
any other country; we have colleges whic
take front stand in the rank of thei
kind, excellent academies and commo
schools, and We ought to be an educate
nation. The accumulation of knowledg
among the people of any government
increases its strength and virtue, and thoS
who are to take the places of preseu
citizens, should early learn the importanc
and truth of the fact. Again we say
teach the children to think, and they J
soon find something 10 think about
PottSule Standard.