Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-01-15
30Q9AGQ0lAaa
Edited by A. SIXTH, County Superintendent.
For the Educational Colun
SELF-CONTROL.

1t has become trlte remark, that he
who would successfully govern others must
first govern himself. Xenophon describes
the schools of Persia, in which Cyrus re-
cevCd his education, as places in which the
/ boys learned both to command and to obey,
4 sBl attributes to that fact the noble char
noer Of Cyrus, his ability to sway men,
'nd his willingness to be Influenced by en-
treaty.. In country and under govern
N uent like ours, there is no occasion to ar
que in favor OF reasonable, persuasive, NOR
b control, instead of arbitrary, unreasoning
mhOrlty. This may serve the purposes
h and betit the character of tyranny, but it is
totally uncongenial with the spirit and
modes of Freedom. Americans should be
governed in the temper Of humanity and
\ By the methods of simplest Justice. Not
because they are better than other people,
but because the spirit of the government is
free its authority is based on the intelli-
gent consent of its subjects; its object is,
the protection, prosperity and happiness of
all who dwell within the circle of its extent;
it asks not the abject obedience of slaves,
but the free, hearty support of citizens.
To the thoughtful educator, and to the
uiicious parent, these considerations are
Of vast significance, indicating the direc-
ton or aim which all discipline should
have, namely, to form in children, whether
IN the family or in the school, habits Of i'll
leigcnt, rigid self control The simple
act Of obedience to the request or command
Of the teacher or the parent, is well and
altogether necessary; but the habit Of self
government, of self discipline, of requiring
oneself to act according to ones convictions
Of duty, regardless Of desire or difficulty
this is infinitely better. Both parents and
teachers must insist upon ready, cheerful
obedience to their wishes; their own position
md dignity and sense of fitness do not re-
qurc such obedience nearly SO much as it
Is necessary for the best discipline, the tru-
est nObtencss and attractiveness of children.
And still, the idea of obedience, unconnect-
I'd with the moral force of right, is utterly
msuthcient for the proper training of youth.
L the saying of Aristippus be true, that
we ought to teach boys those things which
they will use when they become mem
then most surely ought we to instill into the
aads, and impress indelibly upon the very
being of those whom we are to control and
guide in the plastic period of life, this idea,
namely, that the best authority is purely
"oraI-the voiea IF eapsaiancc that the
tFuest heroisu consists Ia obcying the be-
hests of Duty, whether favoring or crush
ins our desires that the most genuine ex-
celIence arises from the cheerful effort to
be and do right, compelling ourselves to
perform the duty from which inclination
rnks, resolutely curbing the impatient
desire to do or say what must not be said
or done.
1t may be urged that this is harsh and
on'ympathetic; that it i'll belts the jocund
nature of childhood to accustom it to rigid
sefcontrol. Perhaps it is not quite sc
Tree from sternness as the slipshod mode oi
government which unfortunately is so prev
aent; but it is not necessarily unfeeling
and lifted to check the healthful viyacity
:" children. Teachers need to be reason
00'e as we'll as learned, and reason teaches
10 that it is safe to use constraint not lesi
'Ian sympathy in moulding the youthful
character. 1t is best to aceustom children
70 m'sking of the nature of their acts, ant
10 deliberate choice of such modes Of &C
aon as commend themselves to their sensf
right. The child's instinct seldom errs
American character is too often depen
uent, not self-reliant; there is strong tenden
y 70 rest upon the judgment of others. /
needs bracing, or rather it needs to b.
VI Ta'ned to sslfdependencs, to self-control
Inc preps which undergrad nost men art
rotten or inexcusable-God meant co hav,
Ien stand alone. So, many of the re
''faints now necessarily thrown around mel
G,. are proofs that we are still undisciplined
Ihls is subject which teachers and pa
rents would do well to ponder the fe,
nints here thrown out are but seeds the
require the favoring conditions Of though
lul mind and an honest heart, to grow int
their just proportions. S.