The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-09
CORPORAL PUNIsumENrI IN SCHOOLS.

CORPORAL PUNIsHnENT IN SCHOOLS.
The propriety Of inHicting bodily pain as a
corrective Of delinquencies and a spur TO dill
gence has been frequently discussed II has
been shown that the same results were often
produced by both methods; that with some
dispositions Hogglng had demoralizing
effect, while 70 others it was indlspensably
necessary. The corporealists produced cases
In which many now eminent men had been
literally goaded on the road to fame by the
ferule of the schoolmaster, and the suaslon-
lists parallel array of instances in which the
most invincible natural obstinacy and const-
tuiional sloth had been converted into docility
and diligence by the unaided influence Of
moral power.
This Is rather an important subject and
we therefore take the opportunity to express
ourselves, not as pedagogues, but as specula-
tors upon the question. With reference, then,
to the ground taken by the dsputants, we
consider both TO be right 80 long as they
restrict themselves within reasonable limits
To attempt the removal Of brute obstnacy
without the employment of corresponding
y
physical object without the exercise Of physi-
cal power. Itwszld be as absurd as to attire
maniac in Mt1Asse lace or to robe an EN-
press in garments of tow-cloth.
No one will deny that a leaky ship is easier
bailed out by stout arms and capacious
buckets, than by any given number Of prayers
while the case also viii be remembered, in
NJ auk uhn
attempted to haul large load of hickory with
feeble yoke OF steers and the assistance OF
Divine Providence, yet who found himself OBJ
hged at last eiCher to procure a stouter team
OF else to diminish his load. If moral suasion
L. sufficient to instill learning into a perverse
and idle boy, then the most hardened crlml-
mails can be the subjects Of thorough reform
through the agency of religious lectures and
therefore our present penal system should be
abolished.
We have read largely upon the influence OF
moral suaslon. and have investigated the data
of these educational morallsts with much at
tention; yet If we were a school-teacher, we
should about as soon think of running a loco
motive without fuel, or propeuing a steamer
without paddles, as Of teaching the young
idea how to shoot without the timely aid aud
judicious application of BoswELL's udde
mec1m-the birch. If parents did their duty
by their children Nt home, the practice of
corporeal punishment In schools would soon
fall into disuse.
There are by far too many who, after send
ing their children to a seminary, fellctate
themselves upon having performed the extent
Of their duty. In the majority of instances
the children of such parents, finding that their
remissness at school Is unrebuked or unknown
at home. would learn absolutely nothing, but
for the fear of punishment. Whereas If their
studies ard progress were inquired into and
superintended by parents, the teacher would
find his task far less onerous and painful, and
the rod be laid aside.
But If any of our readers imagine that they
could sway threescore Of pupils by the un-
aided law Of love, we commend them to pene-
trate into the interior of this State and under
take the tuition of some district school. The
law oflove may be very potent at home, but
as an aid to the acquisition Of grammar, geo
graIhy, and the rule Of three, by lazy boys,
or in the prevention of sturdy urchins from
bIow-beatng and imposing upon their feebler
schoOlmates, there is nothing half so efficl-
cious as good, long, and supple hickory withe.
10 confirm this still further, we point to the
navy, in which, although fogging has been
abolished, series of physical tortures has
been substituted which is highly suggestive
of the coercive measures adopted by the
Spanish Inquisition. The disuse Of thrashing
lazy boys is humbug of the most gigantic
prOportions-nO mistake about 1t,