The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-05-09
Ossr Common Schools.


It is known to all that occurrences of Il
most extraordinary character have taken
place within the past few weeks-eyents
from which viii result the most momen-
tous consequences to all who come within
the range OF their influence. The people
of this country are now IN the midst Of
civil war; the whole nation stands upon
the threshold OF the second American
Revolution, the length and the breadth
and the depth whereof no man can meas
ure All the evil fruits Of frairicidal
war may be expected to follow,-desolate
homes, PROSTATE industry, social demorali-
zation, the creation Of lawless spirit, a
thirst for military glory, and distaste for
the peaceful pursuits OF civil life. Minis
ters of the Gospel everywhere throughout
the North viii preach the necessity Of
saving the country, and leave the matter Of
saving souls for more appropriate season.
Even that hardnaid of the Church, our
Common School System, viii in a measure
be forgotten, and the rising generation left
toe much 20 the education Of the street
instead Of the schoolrOom. There are
results of a civil war which We ali would
gladly avoid, If avoid them Ye could; but
"theres the rub - \ war among thirty
one millions Of enlightened people such
As the Americans are, is no holiday affair,
and there can be no lodging o. the grave
consequences. And yet every true North
ern heart would sooner face all the evils
of which we speak than allow the proudess
Il brio OF free government the world ever
knew to be shattered from turret to foun-
dation stone by the uncircumcised and un-
sanctilied supporters Of Southern Confed-
eracy God forbid that any citizen of the
free North should refuse to risk every
thing but his souls salvation in defence
Of the Stars anu Stripes
For the present we viii leave to others
the discussion OF al, save one, Of the evils
which this war is 10 bring upon Us. The
exception refers to our Common Schools.
The question IS, What course should
Cambria county DiteetQrs pursue that the
benefits OF the system may not be entirely
lost to the army OF seven thousand school
going children within our borders? The
Directors OF several districts have already
expressed their inability to meet the tax
alton necessary to support their schools
during the customary term Of the ensuing
school year; while others say that they
viii have difficulty IN collecting sufficient
funds to meet the already incurred expen-
ses OF the current school year. Then,
again some of the best teaching talent ofthe
country embraced III the sterner sex seems
to be fred with the passion to shoot South-
ern rebels, instead OF to teach the North
ern gouag '{ec how to shoot. Must the
educational interests Of Cambria county be
suffered to go by the board because the
great North las declared that 'the Union
sauss and snALL be preserved or, shall
the boys and girls o. cur mountain county
be educated to do honor to that Union after
it IS preserved? That is the question-to
/ be or not TO be.
! The Directors Of Johnstown and Cone
maugh Boroaghs have, as we think, wise
/ II resolved to postpone the opening Of
their schools for a few months until the
/ public mind becomes accustomed % the
realities Of the conflict which is Iov upon
us, and until the feve.ish exe.selncnt
which now aniaates It shall Lave Given
place 10 the sober second tAouga5 TsaicA
/ does not overlook lesser while i seeks :
greater good. THIS Is the true pol.cy.--
10 attempt a9s0 so eolsees t@.les Is the
incoming school yeas, anG especially with
the view OF keeping the schools IN opera
ton during long term, would maniIestIy