The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-05-23

compiished, we are steadily Advancing with
cautious steps, IN a systematic plan tor the
reformation and the elevation Of the schools.
A very large portion Of the parents Of the
State, having been deprived 81 the blessings
OF education, are necessarily liable TO honest
errors as 10 The Kind Of instruction which
their chIldren need and while this continues
TO De the case, II cannot be expected that
teachers Of nigh qualifications will be every
where appreciated. 1t is every way wise
and just to make allowances for the mistaken
pfeIudices OF those who did not enjoy the
eppsrtan,ties Of instruction now conferred
on their children; aud while this class is
how almost universally 10 favor Of education,
We sheald be satisfied with this great victory
= tbs cdase, AMI not endsnger It's further
saecsss by violent and ultra measures IN re
gard 10 the best kind OF education AMI the
most eiiclent mrthod Of impartns il.
let us ever Keep in mind lhat lhe mighty
cause al stake IS that of the universal eda-
catloa OF the people with whom W. have 10
deal.
We are not discussing plans Ter the gov.
eminent OF a school for 4 particular CAS-
We are managing system whose oajeet Is
10 afford instruction TO the children OF every
citizen, whether he be educated or not, and
to oblIterate from the community that vast
mass OF ignorance which has, heretofore,
cast such dark cloud over the prospects OF
our State. We cannot educate these people
against their viii; and considering that the
chIei difficulties in our way are the ineyita-
Bile resn', ot the serys ignorance which We
wish to remove, every consideration Of pro-.
denee, OF justice and Of patriotism calls on
US 10 be patient, TO be tolerant Of honest
mistakes. to be dlligeni. and 10 be faithful
10 our great cause by making the most Of
circumstances.
Having said this much in true justification
OF the plan which | have uniformly urged,
Of endeavoring to elevate the standard Of
teachers cautiously, gradually, and as t,st as
wise regard tor the real interests at stake
would permit. and no faster, nov proceed
respectfully and earnestly. to urge ON your
attention certain suggestions which, believe,
our present circumstances fully warrant.
Ito Elepaie he Standard Of Teachers By
E'aiGrging The Course Of Shades.
We are now 10 condition. to elevate the
standard Of teachers more rapidly than here.
tofore. The examining committees have
become liked part OF the common school
machinery and teachers and people seeing
and feeling the propriety and necessity Of
this feature Of our system. yield a yers
general obedience 10 the laws 10 regard to it.
Almost all classes of the people are persaded
with more correct ideas as to what Is neres.
sary in good teacher; and teachers them
selves. as body, have vastly improved. and
have also had ample opportunity and full
warning 10 prepare for step /: advance Of
oar present position.
The time has therefore come, TO require
teachers more generally TO give instruction
IN all the essential and elementary branches
Of an English education and among these
essential branches are Grammar sn,l Geog-
raphy. Few teachers can now give any ex-
cuse for not having some knowledge Of these
branches; aud such are The facilities for
learning, IN almost every neighbOrhoOd, and
often in families. and such the cbeapness
and character Of tex; buoks that no one who
can read. aid who has capacity and who ex
poets to devote him ~ herself % tie business
Of teaching, can have any excuse but that Of
laLiness for ignorance Of these branches.
There i now scarcely any community in
the State where a teacher. desiring to learn
these studies, cannot find same one able and
willing TO give such assistance a. i needed
10 promote his progress, and, IN fact, ma
tBrsd mind can easily acquire knoaledge
of Geography without an instructor.
No one eau read or write correctly with.
out a knowledge II Gr.mmH; and If there
we're no ins1prraDIe opposition on the part
81 parents, il should be introduced in some
OF is elementary forms, a. soon a. the child
is able TO read aud t. understand rule for
the construction Of a sentence. The princi.
pies IL Grammar should be nsensIbiy inter.
woven with all oar earliest Instruction.. after
leaving tie spelling book and 10 this age II
di.cp,ery, Of territorial expansion on the
part Of our government. 81 rapid commercial
intercourse among I'll nations, and Of inii.
mate and extended international connections
AID interests IN all p,ris Of the world, &c.
ography l. an all.impurtani branch VI STUDY
70 every elss. ~ children.
The smallest farmer in the interior Of
NORTH Carolina has noR a direct and &C.
knop lodged interest ID the retaliation. IN
China and tie explorations 10 the heart Of
Africa; and il il impossible - read, at.
isisctOrly and undrrsianiingly. a village
newspaper without geographical knoaledge.
Every mad that -slsIes 10 be well and
practically inforaed is now turned 10 Ire
map 81 tie world and the teacher sb0 feels
% interest and % curiosity ~ tbs subject
cannot feel any interest 10 the affairs Of the
world " tie progress Of things. snd +.
therefore, unfit Tor The position u instructor
u lis fellow beings.
know veil by experience and observation
that Geography. >. general thing, j. the
most interesting u al studies. TO eliildsen;
thsy haze Eatatal curiosity about the man
ners. tie people aud The scene. 81 different
c0antries, aud tlsy vii LEARN 10 read s0Dacr
IN COOL Geography than IN ans other work.
The reading Oi gssgrapht Ike travelling
there Is prrpetB ] aud Interesting ehangs
81 scenes and incidents. anil tte usfnd i
more easily Impressed mitl iJeas u,su III ans