Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-23


which has been made, not only in popu-
lar education, but in an appreciation of
its high utility. But this is yet far be-
hind the goal of its most successful real
ization, and much, Uery much more pro-
gress needs to be made. Branches Of sci
ence and literature, which, fifty years ago,
were confined to the knowledge of few
in the University or College, are, now,
the theme of familiar conversation in all
the avenues of social life. But there are
other branches of education, which scarce
ly had an existence fifty years ago, and
which now are known only to the devo-
tees of science, but which should be more
generally understood. Fifty years ago,
few small newspapers and periodicals
in some of the larger cities furnished
stinted sources of information now, the
country is flooded with newspapers of all
sizes, and with periodicals and books to
suit all tastes and purses. But there are
other wants beginning to be felt, and
which will yet be met in daily, yes hourly
newspapers of all grades, not only in our
larger cities, towns and county seats, but
in eUery village and within the reach OF
every hamlet; periodicals and books will
yet be multiplied hundred fold, and
will be written with more marked ability
than any with which the press has yet
teemed. Striking indeed has been the
progress within fifty years of the apph-
cation of scientific knowledge, but much
greater triumphs await the onward march
of the useful arts. Steam power, i'm
provement in machinery, and chemical
processes have been made TO perform the
labor of millions of men; intercommu.
nication, both by land and water, has beer
greatly facilitated and by the telegraph.
ic wires the problem has been solved o.
carrying on conversation with friend
though hundreds of miles distant. Blu
improvements yet to be made will make
still greater deduction in the necessary
amount of human labor; the swiftnes.
and safety of travel will be far more pro
NOTED, while the telegraphic wonders tha
are yet to be, are but feebly foreshadoweC
in those that now are. Most striking ha
been the progress in the advance of NOR
ais and true religion, but far more, almos
Theoretically more, needs to be done be
fore the nillenial dawn shall be ushere,
lin.
Common schools are the nurseries Q
popular education, the fountain heaO
from whence flow so many streams whic
make glad the hearts Of humanity. /
our common schools the children an
youth of our land are gathered, whe
their minds are in a plastic state, easil
moulded to high usefulness. Here tn
masses receive the first impulses afte
knowledge, and have awakened thos
slumbering energies which in after year
will accomplish their mighty deeds. n
, institutions in our land do so much to fo
ter popular education as do our commo
schools. They are indeed the parents
the higher semineries, Of the press, an
of all institutions which tend to diffu,
knowledge TO the people. The utilit
! therefore Of popular education is the uti
ity of common schools and the bett
q schools we have, the higher will be Il
q development of these advantages. No
o there needs to be more universally f
q the connection existing between these a
vantages an common schools, fro
. whence they in great measure sprin
and it requires no argument to show th
a if this truth is universally felt, its inf
;e ence would be seen in the deeper int
,f est manifested in our schools, and the
=. schools would inevitably reap the bene
il of such interest, having infused into the
4 more vital energy and loftier al
n, This desired result can be promoted
Of various ways. Common School Convt
ty tionS such as that which has assembled
IS, day, where points of interest connect
e. with schools are freely canvassed and Z
I'd cussed, and where teachers and peoI
of may come together and enjoy that free
III terchange OF thought which will adyar
as their mutual interests, are very imp
he tant means to this end. Similar cow,
e. tions on smaller scale, in town, a
re llage, a school district or a neighborhC
Isl are very useful. The press may be
Az great use in sending broadcast works
Of education, and in periodical issues de
sst ted exclusively to this cause. In sh
n all means which can be successfully U
he TO disseminate just ideas on any subj
Vie may be with propriety used to dissemin
Just ideas relative 10 the high utilitl
on common schools.