, 1865-08-11

To the Editor of the St. Croix Avis,
DEAR SIR,

lit llCAO pOiIC lIIdO COliItS uD III l1IS
discussion is one which has no important
bearing on the main question, and which I
will, therefore, but briefly touch upon. It
relates to the reckless manner in which
the most serious charges are made by the
Superintendent against u~udasiguato, per
sons. He denies that his language bears
the construction put upon it by the Mino-
rity, and makes the whole dispute here to
turn upon the meaning Of the word %"train,"
as applied by him. That word, however,
simply mcans-"to educate, to teach, to
form by instruction OF practice" and there
fore undeniably implies, as interpreted by
the Minority, an Intentional or mHEJ, act
on the part of those so training the child
rem. From this there can be no escape.
But if the Superintendent is DESTROYS of
retracting this charge, | am quite willing
that he should do 50 only lc6 mn not
complain OF an Interpretation being put on
his language, which is, in reality, the only
possible one. That he used so common a
word without understanding it's meaning
we cannot possibly suppose Of one, who
claims to teach the English Languaee more
thoroughly than all British Educationists
together so that even while allowing him
the full benefit Of his ingenious, but utter
ly inadmissibIe, explanation, | cannot bu5
confess 10 a shrewd suspicion, that had he
entertained the slightest idea that his An
nual Report, hitherto, it seems, written
with all the license OF q $ecrrt ScYUire dOcu-
ment, would, on this occasion, meet the
public eye, as all Such Reports undoabt-
city shouid, this charge, out of which he
now so lameIy creeps, would never have
been penned.
But to return to the main question. The
Superintendent fatty denies that the rea-
son assigned by the Minority for the luke
warmness of the Parents during the last few
years, namely-that the children derive no
benefit from attendance-exists to any ex-
tent among them. TO those who have
any opportunity of hearing the free express
sion of the Parents feelings on this point,
the assertion of the Minority need not be
reiterated for all such persons know, that
the reason constantly given by them for
wishing to send their children for i|nstruc-
ton, either into private families, or to
other Schools, is invariably that-"they
learn nothing at the Country Schools"
This point, however, is one on which no
argument can be held, as it is simply q
matter of fact, which will be believed, or
not, according to the opinions which midi
yiduaIs may entertain as to the compare
tive opportunities which the respective
parties to this discussion may enjoy of
hearing the free sentiments of the Iaborers,
and the likelihood Of their giving an unbi-
assed representation of those sentiments.
On these grounds of Judgment, the Minori-
ty, [ I'M quite sure, are entirely satisfied
to submit the question to the verdict of
the Public. To one very significant COIN
ciderce, l would, however briefly direct at
tention-it is to the fact, that, according
to the superintendent own statement, the
great decrease in the average attendance
has taken place within the last few years,
and is therefore contemporary mih the advent
Of Immigrants from the Eagtish Islands-a
fact which fully and most conclusively
bears out the Minority's statement, that
this feeling about the i%nutility of sending
their children to these Schools has been