Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-13
Address to Parents and the Public of Virginia

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Address to Parents and the Public of Virginia,
The undersigned have been appointed by
the Educational Association OF Virginia a
committee to address you on their behalf,
urging you to a more hearty cooperation
with teachers in matters of instruction, dlscl
pline," &c.
The benefits which would be secured to edu
cation and the aid which would be afforded
teachers by such cooperation would be very
great: as all who have any experience on the
>u5iect must be aware Of the obstacles at the
very threshold OF education arising from the
want of proper family management. 1t, there
fire, they can be removed, much good will be
attained. Since the teacher is properly to be
regarded as the parents agent, to assist in the
training OF his children, it appears obvious that
parents may be best induced to this important
concurrence BY pointing them to the funda
mental principles to be observed in the cduca
ton of youth.
In its broad comprehensive sense, education
embraces the physical, moral, and intellectual
instruction of child, from infancy to manhood.
Any system is imperfect which does not com
bine them all, and that is best which, while 1t
thoroughly developes them, aliases the coarse,
animal affections Of human nature, and eXalts
everything to learn, and is more readily taught
by having before it good examples to initiate,
than by simple precepts He should, there
fore, as far as circumstances will permit, be
encouraged to associate with his parents; for
his heart must he affected, his feelings moved,
az we'll as his mind expanded He may be
taught that it is criminal to steal, and sinful to
lie and yet be unable to apply this knowledge
to the government of himseif; and it will
therefore be of no value to him unless the prln-
ciple is confirmed into habit
Obedience is the first requisite in family
training. It should be made sincere and per,
feet, and to proceed as much from affection as
conviction of its necessity. To accomplish
this, great prudence and the exercise Of much
patience are necessary BY frmness mixed
with kindness the child will learn, by repeated
experience, that he is not to follow his first
impulse, and that self-control, which even an
infant can understand, is necessary to his COM
fott Neither violence nor harshness should
ever be used and the parent must bear con-
Stantly in miod that 10 govern hls child ne
must show him that he can control himself.
One of the most common errors in management
of children is irregularity of behavior towards
them. They are as skilful, as pertinaclous 10
their attempts to crafty their self-will; at one
time trying to evade authority, at another to
oppose it. If they once succeed, they are en-
c0uraged to persevere, and it is necessary tor
the parent to meet the first attempt with firm
ness, and not permit himself TO be batt1ed
BY evasion or resistance Although a child
may not yield to threats, aud may DEFY punish
ment, he canDot resist patleot kindness and
gentle admonition.
The love of truth is equal in i'm oortancc to
habtua obedience. Every encouragement,
even to the pardonng OF offences should be
given to its cultivation. The first impulse OF
the mind in children is always to speak the
truth rather than ialsahood unless some evil
motive arise to sway them TO untruth. They
should be accustomed to hear the truth always
spoken Confession Of error, with detesta
ton of falsehood, dishonesty, and equlTocaton
should be sedulously inculcated a strict ad
herence to promises made to them is Of toe
utmost importance, a. We'll as the removal OF
all temptation to misconduct.
The influences CT Christianity form the
essential element Of moral character, as it
principles are the only sufficient basis OF virtue
or happiness. Hence the parents most sacred
duty TO his child is to impress the sentiments
ofour holy religion early npon hla mind by
personal explanation and systematic lnstruc-
ton As the intellect expands, its sacred
truths will be comprehended and felt and It's
motives and principles be strengthened and con-
hrmed by practice and habit
An essential part Of the education Of youth
Is to teach them to serve themselves, and to
impress upon them the fact that nothing good
can be acquired IN this world without labor :
and that the very necessares and comforts Of
lIfe must be procured by earnest and regular
exertlon. They should also be taught to know
that, after having been reared and educated by
their parents, they should not expect them to
provide further for them, and hat their future
subsistence and advancement must depend upon
themselves. Parents sometimes commit the
mistake of allowing their children. after having
reached the period Of life when they ought to
te engaged in making livelihood, to rely upon
them for support This encourages them in
injurious idleness, and destroys their spirit OF
self dependence, which is necessary for their
advancement in life, and causes them TO appear
so unreasonable as to depend upon them after
haVlng arrived at an age when they should
tnnk and act for themselves.
The choice of a profession is not OF so much
eonSeQuence.as the manner in which 1t Is pur-
sued. IT habits Of Selt-control and sef-denial
nave been acquired during the season OF edu-
cation, the great object has been accomplished.
Diligence and integrity in any useful pursuit
OF lite will be sure to secure prosperity and
!ahe, and success will result from engaging
10 that business in which the generality Of
"anklnd are interested.
!, ouch being the correct view of education.
,ne support and cooperation which faithful
'eacnets should receive from parents can be
gWsNly inferred by the good sense Of each one.
s, ne only ask especial attention, in concluding,
~ lhe following suggestions, which our expe-
'ehce =, has shown to be of prime Importance.
~. The parent, after committing his child to
.ae teaching Of another, should continue to
uent BY constant iuouiry and and epcourag m m cement
~. The supplying of young persons, while
sos sosent from their homes, with needless money,
saa the permission to contract debts, are to be
,.spyrooated, as tempting to sinful prodIgallty
l.t. Iut multiplying the dangers of contracting
uaolts of vice.
a., The proper authority Of teachers must be
unly sustained ~ parents.