American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-01-11
educational department.
School Discipline,

O6nO0l DlSClpllnei
There was time, of which some OF
US have very lively recollection, when
school discipline was administered al
most exclusively by an appeal to the rod
To piece of timber of rather slender
proportions. was attributed the peculiar
properties of subduing the vicious, con
ouerine the rebellious, arousing the stu
pid. quieting the disorderly, in short, of
remedying all the ills the school room is
heir to.
So much importance was attached to a
teachers ability aud skill in the use Of
this instrument, that he who could WELD
it in the most efficient manner was the
first to get desirable situation as teach
er.
In time, however, this theory, belong
ing as it did, to a darker age than ours,
had to give way, and another, rejecting
the rod entirely, and having for its basis
moral suasion, took its place--a theory
which, in its practical workings showed
itself as lily adapted to the youths of
our land. as the other However sue
cessful few teachers may have been, un-
der peculiarly favorable circumstances, l
believe the theory, on the whole, has, in
the shape Of disrcspect for law and au-
thority, Of loose, Indifferent habits of
halfway obedience and study, wrought
an immense amount Of mischcf--mis-
chief which will require years Of the
right kind of discipline to remedy, \
few teachers, under favorable crcum-
stances, succeeded. Then the sweeping
assertion was made, that all, and under
any circumstances, can. Extremists
we're even bold to say, that whoever was
unable to govern by moral suasion, was
unfit for the school room
Such heavy tide Of popularity ac-
compauied the introduction Of this theo-
ry, that teachers generally, although not
single Page or Northcnd had sanction
ell il. were unable to ten the food.
Some were found to mourn over the past.
as having been guilty of an atrocious
crime in punishing some dear hoy or girl
with the rod; fr now, with their moral
suasions improved, they could see clearly
how to manage the innocent creatures.
Others whose moral perceptions were not
so acute, were unable to discern that
they had been guilty Of any terrible thing.
Yet they were generally willing to con
form, in The main, to the new order of
things. Practically, the theory had uni
versal sway. Teachers were driven to it
bya sort Of moral necessity, something
similar to the pressure which, at the open
ing Of the rebellion, caused our armies to
move ION to Richmond before they were
prepared, and regular "Qull Run disas,
ter has been the csusequence. Neither
have teachers been qualified, nor their
schools in condition TO justify such a
move. SO great was the popular demand
for this theory, that teachers were made to
feel, and some really acted as though go
ing through the school term without re
course to the rod was paramount duty.
to accomplish which no sacrifice could be
too great. Rules might be thrown over
board, an inconceivable amount of impu-
dcnce, noise. confusion, and ycxatiou Of
spirit be put up with, for the purpose Of
succeeding IN this desirable end, aud hav-
ing it told to the world that they can gov
cm by moral suasion!
The tendency of school government, at
the present time, is in the right direction
Teachers have learned by experience, and
some, at least, are making practical use Of
their knowledge, that it is moro important
TO have rules respected and order and
harmony prevail in school, than to graft
" the popular taste. Notwithstanding
this, there are still too many teachers
who fail to take decisive stand on the
side Of true government, and whe allow
themselves to be imposed upon in mis-
cradle menner, when timely aud vigor-
Gus application of the timber would pre-
vent it. It's, however, universally con
coded, by teachers, at least, that the rod
cannot safely be dispensed with in our
schools. The only question now is, when
or under what circumstances should it be
used. The answer generally made, is,
only in extreme cases, which if proper
ly interpreted, is true.-Leioistoioe Ga
@stte.
=<--ae---ss=
pJ~ The Christian Commission propose
70 provide libraries for our soldiers in the