Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-04-06
s G h ools.

The period when teachers are usually
engaged for our summer schools has now
arrived. The task of choosing the teach
er is delegated to the prudential commit
tee. 1t is a most important and response
bic trust which is committed to him who
is appointed committee. Only men of
superior intelligence, undoubted probity
and sound discrimination, should be call
ed by the votes of their fellow townsmen,
TO this office. It is one which can be
in,rusted with safety, and with honor,
only 10 our best citizens. The most mo-
mentous and precious interests are pow
erfully effected by the selection which
the committee makes Of teacher The
character, scholarship and enjoyment Of
our rising youth-their capacity and fit
ness for the duties and business of future
life, are largely dependant upon it. BY
choice made by the committee, the peace
and concern Of district may be cement
ed, or unkindly sentiments, and even bit
ter and unpleasant animosities evoked
The task is nearly as arduous and diff
cult as it is momentous. The very num-
bers and varied claims Of the applicants
sometimes causes serious embarassments
and perplexity. We feel ourselves
prompted to make one suggestion, rela-
tive to this matter of choice OF teacher.
Let there be the disposition on the part
of school districts and school committees
TO appreciate the merits OF our own teach
ers. Care should always be taken to
recognise and encourage native talent
We would not say that teachers should
be invariably selected from those resident
in the town or vicinity where they are to
teach Monopoly, in any department Of
human activity, shall never fine in US an
advocate or partisan. But, other things
being equal, let the preferences always
be given to home manufactures. 1t should
weigh little in the scale in favour of a
teacher, and not as it is to be feared il
sometimes does, to this prejudice, that he
belongs to our town. 1t we're most un-
just and most unwise that preference
should be given to a teacher from a dis
lance, over one equally meritorious, that
has originated among ourselves. Thai
consideration should not be imputed tC
him as fault, nor should he be made tc
suffer for it as a misfortune. There is ;
mistake, a fallacy, in this matter, int
which districts and committees are yer,
apt to slide. They often seem disposet
TO consider that teacher must be bette
because he comes further. But tn
smallest measure Of reflection will sufiic
10 show that teacher may be brough
from great distance, and yet no prof
but decided loss ensue from the impor
tation of the distant commodity. !
prudential committee might travel, wit
all pomp and dignity fifty miles, to hir
teacher and after all his trouble, nc
secure one as competent as any one, OF
of three or four or perhaps half dozei
that might have been found at home.-
We have considerable acquaintance wit
our teachers in this town, and have forme
high estimate of their talents and the
worth. We believe that they will yer
favorably compare with like numbt
from any other town. It will be yer
injurious to our own future educationS
interests and very discouraging to Oh
teachers, if there should be Just caus
for any Of them to feel that they are les
likely to secure with US, an eligbl
school, because their abode is anon
ourselves. Our firm conviction is thi
the preference should be given TO thoi
in our own locality, whose honorab
ambition has led them to aspire to Il
teachers vocation, who have been amp
endowed, and in some instances, in
superior degree, with the requisite ia
ents, and who have striyen with cor
grendable industry and oftUmes with l
iuconsiderable self denial, and at no slig
expense, to fit themselves for the efficie
and satisfactory fulflment Of the teac
er's duties.
While we thus advocate the claims
our own teachers, we would just suggei
on the other hand, friendly counsel
the teachers themselves that they, o.
and all Of them, determine that by the
jealous devotion TO their professio
by their continually increasing fine
through an unwearied effort and study
its work, and by the dignity of their chs
acter and the wisdom of their depa
ment, they shall have, on all hands, su
IN unquesiionable pre-eminence,tha tn