Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-07-28
Common schools.

ihtoAi' w NuANAf8eN bhti lNNHes $500
panding intellect.
As we nurture the tender plant or the
creeping vine, giving each our constant
attention, so should we anxiously watch
the growth of the tender mind, avail
ing ourselves of all the opportunities
and advantages which modern genius
has placed in our hands.
While we labor for the physical wants
of our offspring, prosecuting our differ
ent avocations from the grey of the
morning till the shades of evening, to
provide food and raiment for their bod
les, TO build houses of taste and con-
venience for their enjoyment, while
many of us are adding houses and lands
to our already ample possessions, laying
in our Judgment deep and broad founda-
tions for the abundant support of our
selves and our families, let us equally en-
deavor TO educate and refine the moral
and mental forces of the mind, which,
if rightly accomplished, will be Of more
real benefit than all the wealth of the
Indies, or all the gllttering dust that
Australian sands or California wilds
can afford.
Notwithstanding these facts, clear and
apparent as the sun, how few of us live
and act upon their promptings How
few of us enter the field of labor before
us and make q profitable use of the OPP
portunities placed in our hands for the
educational well being of our children
How few of us lend all the moral and
substantial support to our schools that
their Importance demands. Instead of
encouraging teachers in the discharge
of their arduous duties, how ready we
are to publish abroad and magnify their
real or imaginary errors and faults
From the moment teacher enters dis
trict TO the time he takes his departure
therefrom, the tongue of Islander and vi
tuperation, that busiest of all agents in
the distraction of influence and charac-
ter, is too often at work, poisoning the
minds of children and people, until the
individual whom we had selected for the
management our children is transformed
into vile and heartless demon. When
will the world learn wisdom, prudence
and forbearance When will the school
become our greatest care, and the diff
fusion of knowledge the object of our
highest solicitude? When shall we
of our own kindred?
A good school is one of the greatest
blessings that can be enjoyed by any
people. Its effects upon the public mind
are like bread cast upon the waters.--
They live among us, and return to US
through the moral and intellectual i'm
provement of our children, shedding
over all the mild radiance of truth, and
the soft, inspiring influence of peace and
intelligence.
The age has not yet dawned, however,
that can fully appreciate the benefits Of
good schools Were it otherwise were
they held in proper estimation by the
rank and file OF mankind, those effectu-
al means now used for their overthrow
would not be employed with so unspar-
ing a hand. The school, that centre Of
all the wishes Of the wise and intelH-
gent, would be supported without
murmur, and az the means and appli-
anCes necessary for its operation, would
be bestowed in liberal profusiOn. 1t is
not the part Of any good citizen to
grudge the expense Of our schools. 1t
would be far better for our children,
and for the public generally, were they
to cost twice the amount they now do,
if by doubling the expenses we could
render them twice as available. Money
expended for the support of schools is
very wisely employed, and no invest
ment in our power to make pays princi-
pal and interest so well.
While we have done much as O state
for the elevation of our common schools,
increasing the wages OF teachers, en-
larging our school houses, and making
liberal additions to their cOmtOrt, beau
ty and convenience, still the work of
Improvement in this direction is not
completed. Every school room should
be amply furnished with the necessary
apparatus for teaching and illustrating
the studies. Artificial globes, historical
charts and outline maps are among the
most needed, and should be supplied to
every school in the state. The cost is
but trifing and the advantages result
ing therefrom are inestimable. As well
might the laborer repair to the field, or
the artisan to the workshop, without
the necessary implements of his craft
as for teacher to enter the schOolroom
without the assistance of philosophical,
geographical and mathematical instru-
ments. 1 do not wish by this remark
to convert the common school room in
to a mere labratOry such as properly
belongs to our higher institutions Of
learning, but to place in the hands of
common school teachers the most APP
proved means of instructing our chill
dren, giving them all the advantages
which modern science and genius have
developed for intoxicating the rudiment-
al principles of a thorough education.
Another point in connection with fur
nishing school houses with the necessa-
nv facilities and conveniences, is shade.
Every school house should be amply
shaded. Trees should be set out from
time to time, on the play grounds, that
would in few years fully repay the cost
and the labor Of transpianting. While
nrr hearts and affections, as parents, gro
! clus H., i, vand the little group ~ --.v
ocbooI room LOFT the crane and the vine