Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-23
SOUTHERN TEACHERS FOR THE
SOUTH.

condition OF the South, ana having lue HiOo' !
important bearing upon our future, more
striking or gratifying than the general inter |
st manifested on the subject Of popular edu-
cation. At no time heretofore have there
been so many announcements Of schools,
academies and colleges through the press oil
the South as at the present moment. There
may not be, in fact greater number OF
these institutions, but the advertisements Of
them are more numerous. The almost uni
versal interruption suffered by these inter
ests the last few years, has awakened a gen.
eral and eager anxiety for their restoration
which Is positive and imperiOus. The same
spirit is shared by the freedmen at all our
centres Of population to a certain degree,
and will gradually difIuse itself among the
negroes to the remotest districts. If the de-
sire for knowledge is not innate with him, 1t
will be impressed upon them by artificial
forces.
To improve, and mould and render bene-
fetal this spirit, to direct its results and
to make them efectual for good to the indi-
vidual and our city, requires Southern
teachers for the South. This is one Of
the primary and essential reforms in our
future educational system. The South has
never undertook to make its own teachers, as
a general thing; but has sent to the North
for them, where they are made, like shoes,
boots, hats, &c, by the wholesale. They are
made for he purpose there and are we'll
made. They cannot be decried or under
rated, while so many Of them have perform
ed so admirably for US. 1t is nonsense to
speak contemptiously Of Northern school
masters, and New England school marms u
while we are bound to confess their excel
lence as Instructors Few schools Of the
South have made reputation without some
Of them being employed. They often come
to US with false or insufficient notions Of oul
people and institutions; but despite these
objections, and because of their prof
cheney as teachers we have employed
them, and are continuing to do so. We pay
them our money, and when they behave
themselves, they give us value received.
The only reason why we have heretofore
done so, is found in the fact that we have
not furnished our own teachers from oul
own people Those who have enjoyed the
advantages Of liberal mental culture have
refused to enter the school-roOm as teacher
-preferring other pursuits. Besides there
Is a difference between being a scholar, al
educated person, and being fitted for tn
uocation Of teaching. The North has mad
teaching a specially in the business Of life
The South has neglected it. In rare in
stances you find a gentleman, who has de
voted himself to it from youth to old age
but these are exceptions to the rule.
The changes recently wrought in our 50
cial and domestic institutions, we trust viii
bring changes in this matter. The indica
tons are that way at least, and they ough
to be encouraged. Gen. LEE left the cam
for the teachers desk, as JACKSON had lai,
down the ferule to take up the sword. Gen
CUsTIs LEE has just been chosen to a Pro
fessorship in the University Of Georges
which we hope he will accept-while hun
dreds of Confederate officers and soldiers, Q
less general fame, are tending the fountain
of learning at the country and village school
houses in many places in the South. /
noble, battle-scaTed Mississippi soldier
teaching oolortd school in that State, in tn
midst Of threats to tear down the house an
expel him from the country-while youn
lady, raised in all the affluence Of SOuther
luxury and wealth, in the same State, wit
less opposition, teaches primary school G
her fathers late slaves. The widow an
daughter Of one of :he greatest Of America
soldiers, ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSON, ar
teaching in her home on the Pacific
while the widow and daughter Of tn
/ illustrious Christian hero, General POLK,
similarly engagedin ourown State. Mrs. Ger
/ RANSOM, Of North Carolina, announces tn
! opening Of a Female Institute in Whining
ton. These are shining examples, and SHOULD
inspire imitation throughout the Southern
States. Let the business of teaching be pur
sued as a vocation, and let the teachers pre-
pare themselves for it as such, and very soo
there will be no occasion to bring teacher
from other States, orto hold up to the publ
the importance Of having Southern teacher
for the South.