American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-07-19
NUMBER 81.

| if our efforts and aims are separated and
distracted the good we do will be of Lie,
tie Importance. The position we hold in
the State depends entirely on what we
make it. Our destiny is our own hands.
five aim at bringing our profession up
to level with other learned professitnsi
we must do the work ourselves There
is no royal car in which we may be con-
| veyed to our destination, involuntarily
and without effort. Earnest, hard work
is before us.-Self- denial und sterling in
dustry are the requisites to success. IF
we are willing to apply ourselves proper
ly, there can be no doubt as to the issue!
Ignorance with all its concomitant evils,
bigotry and superstition, stares us in the
face and threatens us with defeat. Shelt
we give up the contest because we fear
the foe? Shall we quit the combat and
submit to the enemy because there is q
little work, little expense, little in
dustry, or a little selfdenial required of
us! If we do so, we prove ourselves
craven hearted towards, and the sooner
the public discard US, the better it will be
for them and for u.s. IF we are unwor-
thy of our positions, it is but due to hu--
manity that we should be thrown out of
profession to which VIC only do dishons
or. That ours can be made q profession
meriting the regard and esteem of the
wise and good, does not admit of doubt
But in order to bring ourselves up to the
requirements of such standard, our
earnest efforts must be put forth to that
end. This individually is true; but it is
also true in an associated capacity. 1t is
folly to think that such an end can be at
tanned by individual effort alone. It is
not the separate action of the small atom
of steel that crushes the massive rock,
but that of the pondrous sledge in which
those atoms are united and yet each at.
ON has its work to perform So in our
profession, each has his several duties to-
perform; but it is the union of our pow
ers that deals the effective blow to the
resisting and opposing forces.
Our educational societies should aim
at awakening an interest on the part Of
the public, They are not for the tho ae-
commodation and instruction of teachers
alone, but they should embrace in their
ranks not only all who feel an interest in
the cause of popular education, but all
who really are interested in the safety
and welfare of the government which
gives protection to their lives and proper,
ty. 1t is to such that a portion of our
efforts must be directed, In our utilita-
rian conntry the people are too apt to be
indifferent to the general wants Of edu-
cation. They do not feel and appreciate
the intimate connection which general
system of education bears to the future
character and support of the government
tai authority of the land. Hence it is
that they fail to manifest that degree of
interest in tho training and teaching Of
youth which is necessary to the full sus-
cess of our work, and the preserving in.
tact Of the purity and freedom, of our
government. 1t is through the humble
Office of the teacher mainly, that God de-
signs that government should be properly
framed and purely and patriotically pre-
served and this, because the teacher
has charge OF the mans mind when it is
yet plastic, unprejudiced, easily swayed
and susceptible of unlimited culture and
instruction.
The work which we, as a society fosf
promoting the interests ofeducatisn, have
to perform, is not only great but il is Aors
orable There can be no higher Office in
the hand of man. than that which pre-
peres the child for his future career as q
citizen and statesman, for the fulfill,
ment of his duties and the enjoyment of
his privileges, political and religious, as
being created in the image of God. A.
glorious destiny awaits the consumation
of our work With BIS it remains to full
fill this destiny, and by a united and stea-
ly effort to break down the barriers which
now interpose to prevent the benignane
and glorifying rays of knowledge, from
breaking in their full radiance on the
semi-benighted souls of some portions Of
our commonwealth.
<--<R--%<u-ez
Mas. PARTINaTos's os'sLAsT.--Isaac 8 was
reading to his mother tho head line of D.
telegraph column of the Tribune, Of LAST
week, when he came TO "Jef. Davis 70 be- :
confined at Fort Layfayssss," the old