Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-17
From the Winnsbcro Register. :
Educatiou.

Mr.. EDITOR: ! have read with great inter-
est, the articles you have published, IRON
time to time, inviting attention to the sys'
tenn of public education, established in Char
lesion three or four years ago, ana especlahy
had hoped that our community Would nave
availcd itself of the advantages, presented
by the Normal School, which has recently
been there organized.
This school is intended for the education OF
girls, so as to enable them to become teach.
ers. and embraces the whole curriculum OF
liberal education. The Jealous and patriotic
Commissioners of Free Schools in Charleston
have not been merely satisfied, in extending
to upwards of :.wo thousand children all the
advantages of the most excellent and thorough
tuition, but pursuing their labor of love aud
usefulness, they now aim to educate teachers,
who shall still further develop the system, OF
which the schools in ST. Philip street and
Friend street are models.
You have already stared, but 1t may not
be amiss to repeat, that the advantages OF
this school are not intended to be confined to
Charleston. By an Act of the Legislature,
passed in 1857, the State appropriated SlO,-,
600 towards the erection and furnishing Of
the building, and agreed to appropriate the
further sum of $4,000 annually for i've years,
for its support, provided the citizens OF Char
lesion contributed an equal amount to both
these purposes. The contribution has been
made, so as to secure the appropriation by
the State, and the school is now in successful
operation. In consideration OF this, 1t is
made the duty of the Commissioners to re-
ceive into the school, free Of any charge for
tuition, female pupils from every part of the
State, not exceeding fifteen to each Congress.
sionai District, for the purpose of being
trained as teachers. am very sure, that as
it is the duty, so it would be great gratifca-
ton to the Commissioners, to receive pupils
from the State at large. know that they
are desirous that all parts of the State should
reap q portion of the harvest, which now
cheers the heart of every patriot and philan-
thropist, who visits the schools, now in opera
ton under the new and improved system OF
education which has been introduced and !
am anxious that our own district should avail
itself of the liberality Of education in Char
lesion.
t 1t would be out Of place. in this communi-
cation, to dwell upon the advantages and ne
cessity of female education. They are appa'
rent to and acknowledged by all. In the no
BILE and eloquent address, recently delivered
by Mr.. Hanckle, in Charleston-the peculiar
excellence Of which makes it an epoch in the
history of Fourth of July celebrations-alter
an elaborate and philosophical discussion Of
the subject, he finds the stability and per-
manence of government to rest mainly upon
the influence and power Of individual men,
and be is doubtless right. But where, ask,
are such men to be found? How is this in
huence to be acquired, and this power/to be
attained? Not from mere physical endow-
ments-not from mere genius. But it is
mainly through that cultivation of the intel
lect and heart, which only mothers love
can develop. And how shall she discharge
this fond duty, without thorough education
and discipline Of her own mental powers :
believe there is great force in the theory,
that the elements of true moral and intellec-
tual greatness are inherited from the mother,
and il this be true, with what earnestness
should every community strive for the educa-
ton Of its females.
IF any considerable number Of our citizens
had witnessed the result of the modern sys-
TEN Of teaching, as illustrated by the Char
lesion schools, they would perceive at once
the immense improvement over the old sys-
tenn Of free schools, and would join me in de-
string to see its benefits extended beyond
that city.
1t is we'll worthy Of a trial, and the expert
ment cannot be made unless teachers can be
procured, and such teachers must be educated
for that purpose:
The only expense to which pupil will be
subjected in obtaining thorough education,
would be board and clothing. But am
very sure that this expcnce to those unable
to delray it would be readily provided for,
here at home, by those who would regard it
not charity bestowed, but duty cheerfully
performed. Will not some Of our promising
young ladies avail themselves Of such an op-
sortunity? 1t would give me, personally,
great pleasure to furnish all the information
and extend every assistance to any one who
will take this matter into serious considera-
ton. r. B. BOYLSTON.