The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-13
sou,bern reachers Tor the south.


condition of the South, and having the
most important bearing upon our iuture'
more striking or gratifying than the gene
raj interest manifested on the sup)ect VI
popular education. At no time heretofore
have there been so many announcemehts
of schools, academies, and colleges through
the press of 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 nu-
merous. The almost universal Interrupt
ton suffered by these interests the last lew
wears has awakened a general and eager
anxiety for their restoration whichis posi-
tive and imperious. The same spirit is
shared BY the freedmen at all our centres
of population to q certain degree, and will
gradually diffuse itself among the negroes
to the remotest districts. If the desire for
knowledge is not innate with him, it 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 etfectual 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 the future
educational system. The South has never
undertaken to make its own teachers, as
general thing; but has sent to the North
for them, where they were made, like shoes,
boots, hats, &c., by the wholesale. They are
made for tie purpose there, and are we'll
made. They cannot be decried or under
rated while so many of them have per-
formed so admirably for us. 1t is nonsense
to speak contemptuOusly of "northern
schoolmasters and New England school
marms," while we are bound to confess
their excellence as Instructors. Few schools
of the South have made reputation without
some of them being employed. They often
como to us with false or insufficient notions
of our people and institutions; but despite
these objections, and because Of their pro-
ficiency as teachers, we have employed
them, and are continuing to do so. We
pay them our money, and when they be-
have themselves they give us value re-
ceived. The only reason why we have
heretofore done so is found in the fact that
we have not furnished our own teachers
from among our own people. Those VINO
have enjoyed the advantages OF liberal
mental culture have refused to enter the
school-room as teachers, preferring other
pursuits. Besides, there is difference
between being ascholar, an educated per-
son, and being fitted for the location OF
teaching. The North has made teaching a
specially in the business of life. The
South has neglected it. In rare instances
you find a gentleman who has devoted HIM
self to it from youth to old age; but these
are exceDtions to the rule.
The changes recently wrought in our
social and domestic institutions, We trust,
will bring changes in this matter. The in
dications are that way at least, and they
ought to be encouraged. General Lee left
the camp for the teachers desk, as Jack
son had laid down the ferule to take up the
sword. General Gusts Lee has just been
chosen to professorship in the University
of Georgia, which we hope he will accept,
while hundreds of Confederate officers and
soldiers of less general fame are tending
the fountains of learning at the country
and village scho0l-houses in many places
in the South. A noble, battle-scarred
Mississippi soldier is teaching cOlored
school in that State in the midst of threats
to tear down. the house and expel him from
the country-while young lady, raised in
all the affiuence of southern luxury and
wealth, in the same State, with less opposi-
ton, teaches primary school Of her
fathers late slaves. The widow and daugh-
ter of one of the greatest of American
soldiers, Albert Sidney Johnston, are teach
ing in her home on the Pacific, while the
widow and daughter of the illustrious
Christian hero General Polk is similarly
engaged in our own State. Mrs. General
Ransom, of North Carolina, announces the
opening of female institute in Whining
ton. These are shining examples, and
should inspire imitation throughout the
southern States. Let the business of teach
ing be pursued as a vocation, and let the
teachers prepare themselves for it as such;
and very soon there will be no occasion to
bring teachers from other States, or to hold
up to the public the importance Of having
southern teachers for the South.-Nash-
uiNe Union and american.