Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-07


ton of schools, and the moral power Of
religious institutions are indispensable to
produce this intelligence and virtue. 1t
could be easily demonstrated that all of the
unhealthy partizan feeling which threatens |
a dissolution of our Uuion has its origin in
national ignorance and unenligbtened preju-
dice. The education of the masses lies at
the very foundations of our political insti-
tutions. and their perpetuity depends upon
the proper exercise of the elective franchise.
Would we then save our country, we must
elevate and enlighten the masses. Every
man is an elector by the constitution and
may aspire to the highest Offices in the gift
of the people, and although every one may
not be qualified to be Presidents and Legis
lators. be may be called on TO take part in
the administration of the laws as Justices OF
the Peace. and as jurors. 1t is treason to
the constitution and black ingratitude to
our res dictionary eires TO talk about limiting
our education to the particular calling in
which we are engaged. We are all born
equal heirs of the most perfect political
association that ever existed, and be who
does not qualify himself for the proper dis
charge of the duties which attach TO this
glorious inheritance is an unworthy heritor
OF freedom. The necessity for educating the
youth of our country is becoming daily more
imperative, sound principles and well
cultivated mind are the strongest bulwarks
of American Independence and nationality,
H. Init In
the preservation of our liberties. Innumera-
able temptations beset the path of our youth
on every side and nothing but the most
watchful and earnest solicitude for the well
being of their youthful minds when in their
formative stages. the most careful and
diligent early training in the school room,
under teachers of well attesttd experience
and scholastic attainments, in this day and
time will prevent them from becoming curses
to their country, and incorrigible billiards In
society The ignorant and depraycd man is
the political carrion. the legitimate game
of the party tricksters and demagOgues,
til. sc vultures who with bloody beaks and
pestiferOus breath, prey upon the vitais OF
their country with the more than tabled f.
rocity Of the vulture which chung 10 the
vitals Of the rock bound Prometheus. These
are the mcn who cry out and alarm and agi-
tate when there il no danger. Reckless. Wis
ionary and daring, urged on ly "a desperate
ambition. they would not scruple to enguf
their country in sea of endless woe and
misery. 1t may be alleged that these scenes
and popular commotions are part and paicl
OF our system, inherent in our form of gov
eminent. To a great extent this is so, or
rather it is conditionally So and that con6i-
tion is when the masses are disqualified from
ignorance to exercise the privileges of free
men. What shall we do then to remedy
these evils? l would answer build up acad-
emies, employ able and competent teachers
to ill them. not charlatans, not quacks.
not any iinerant pcdagogue, or superanu
ated old iogy, with his obsolete ideas and
musty old books, but men who have becI
educated for teachers, high-toned, moral, con
ser, alive and thoroughly educated men. Tha'
teaching may some day receive that shar
of attention which its great merit demand
is a contamination most devoutly to be wish
ed for. 1t certainly deserves aad should he
erected into profession of the most honOri
BILE kind When it gets TO be the bumor o
the times to accord TO teachers the character
of public benefactors, aid TO entitlc them Il
take upon themselves perfect equality, IT mol
precedence. over the followers of any Other
calling, then, and not till then, will We have
a class of teachers who will send forth young
men and young ladies every way qualified
to perform their parts well in society. We
have heretofore suffered ourselves to be inn
posed upon by quacks and charlaians, and
why it is thus IN the boosted civilization OF
the nineteenth century, the most enlightened
period of the worlds history, men OF sense
enough in the common affairs Of life should
commit the most precious of all Interests
the education of their children, under cir
cGmStances and upon securities which in mat
tiers of mere property, would not command
the slightest confidence. is paradox for the
philosopher to solve. Socrates, Plato, and
Aristotle thought teaching one Of the nOblrst
were To Socrates objects of the tenderest care
and most anxious solicitude. He let no APP
pOrtunity escape, cit er public or private,
without enforcing the principles of education,
the deathess principle of the immortality of
the soul and the existence of only one SUI
cellence or magnanimity in the character of
Alexander, was due to the teachings of Ar
isiotle. We have almost III consciously pursu-
ed this train of reflection much farther than
we intended. but not farther we hope than its
great Importance demands. We have been
led Into it by attending the examination |
which has heen going on for the last two |
da in the Male Academy of Goodlettsvillr |
We would avoid making any invidious dis |
tinctioHs. or instiIuiing uufavorable compar-
i-ons but having attended many examina-
tons in some OF our best schools, we are un-
conscious of having ever experienced the /
same degree of interest and perfect sati>fae- |
ton that did in this one. The trustees of /
this school have had the rare fortune TO So
cure the services of gentleman every way /
well qualified TO take charge of first class
Male Academy. Many men will Gil a pro- J
frs~ionship with honor, bnt DIR Merrill COM i,
bin = all the elements Of success: ali the |.
qualifications which are necessary to take I
charge OF classes from A B G up to the high |
er branches Of collegiate education From |
The knowledge which have of this gentle /
mars plan of TRACKING. his nndoubt,d schol- 4
,rship, his untiring Industry, and the adj |
which be has been enabled 90 /
show ga bis pupils 10 a session IF i've months,
We can al. ~ say that as a teacher in ali the |