Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-05-16
THURSDAY, MAY is, 1861,

temperate man should lie allowed to have
the care of school; few, If any. are dis
posed to look with favor or even tolera.
tion upon profanity in teacher.
All this Is precisely right, and it is most
earnestly to be hoped that the day is not
far distant when the moral character and
conduct required of the teacher shall be
equal to that which Christian public senti-
ment looks for in the religious guide 1t
Is wholly proper that the community should
demand in the teacher not only the ability
to impart instruction in arithmetic. gram
mer, geography, but the personal qualities
which enable one to be a suitable leader of
youth. This demand is not fully met by
simple example; it requires in addition the
ability to set before scholars in clear and
attractive lights the fundamental princi.
pies Of all genuine manLness and woman
illness What is required is, good instruc-
ton illustrated by daily example.
What has already been said is preHmin
airy TO some thoughts concerning the prop
er regard which should be had for public
opinion, and to call the attention of teach
ers to the influence they should exert in
this respect.
1t Is one of the worst traits of Ameri-
can character that slavish subsection to
popular opinion or fashionable ca price is so
general. \ respectful consideration of
others judgement is only Christian cour-
tesy; rejection Of ones own we'll matured
convictions out Of Difference to public SEN
timent is unmanly weakness. Society is
composed Of individuals each of whom is
entitled to whatever respect IS justly due
to his learning, Judgment, prudence and
character. Ii the recognized opinion of
any community We're really an aggregate Of
ali the good sense Of the Individual mem
berS OF that community, then one might
hesitate long before acting contrary to that
public opinion. But it requires slight OBJ
Seryation to detect the real nature of con
trolling public sentiment In any town,
who gives direction to the current of
thought and popular speech2 Not the
most cultivated, not the most noble and
Tlrtuous, not the most excellent, for these
are apt to be quiet and uuassuminc. Pub
lie sentiment, as it finds expression in CON-
mon speech, is the characteristic fruit Of
a selfclccted aristocracy, skilIful to snecr
at whatever does not coincide with their
exalted views Of Propriety, ready to throw
the mantle OF charity over anv popular
wrong and to pour contempt on any unpop-
ular effort to do good This sounds ratb-
er harsh, but just look around you and see if
it is not true. Who is most active in anv
poorly supporting philanthro-
py! Who exhibit most alacrity in doing
the work to which the holy voice of re,
li2ion calls: The answer suggests itself.
1t Is not those who assume to be the re
spectacle, exclusive and superior humani-
ty-not at all. And yet these pretentious
people really determine the upper current
OF common, moi opinion.
l!e is 3 very weak man who bows his
neck to bear every burden that popular
sentiment imposes; he i only voluntary
slave, all the more pitiab,e because Of his /
willing abjectpcss. \ true man or woman
Is one who looks at objects with candor and
care, then acts Us good judgment dictates,
and not according to the unreasonable
whlms OF public opinion. Not necessari- |
Iy IN opposition to that opinion, but indie
pendently of it. One cannot too careful /
ly remember that he is not supremely re-
sponsible to society, but TO the Majesty Of
Heaven. | would have teachers impress
upon their pupils this consciousness of
their individual responsibility, and endeav-
or to form in them the habit of doing right
without fear Of public opinion.