The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-01

positions in society, with very respectable salary.
BE may even rise to bo q Master" in the 'ssemi-
nary"
But it never enters his head to abandon his pro-
fess;on, and " take up this or that employment
with q view Of betterng his condition Indeed, if
the truth must be told, he is not altogether at
liberty to do 80. In the countries Of the old world
man cannot lay down one trade or profession and
tako up another as he does his coat his carpet.
To obtain {" the mastery in any pursuit, prepara-
ton is necessary and this fact has strong tenden-
cy to make man content with whatsoever con-
dition he finds himself In He must either do that,
or emigrate.
But is the Prussian system the allpotent educa-
tor it is claimed to be2 There is an ancient
proverb saying that q Mercury could be made OF
every tree; but there we're those who made bold to
say, that a Mercury could not be made Of every
tree. There is hon,ey old English proverb, cor
roborative Of the latter position, and declaring
that silk purse cannot be made out Of every kind
of material. The Prussian system is the best tor
the State, but takes little account Of the ndiVld-
ua; in this respect resembling the Spartan train
ing The ssapt" can learn and have every facility
afforded them for progress, the sltggard, and he
who is less gifted by nature, receives cuffs and
blows but no other ssaids to reflection" Hence
we not unfrequently meet, even in Prussia, boys
and girls OF seventeen or twenty, who can neither
read nor write, notwithstanding they had attended
school from the ages Of six to thirteen, or from
seven to fourteen. However curions or even In
credible such statement may appear, it is strictly
true.
But compulsory attendance at school has here
tofore been held at variance with the Constitution
Of the United States, and with the spirit Of our in
stitutions and very properly 30, we think Liberty
OF conscience p.rfect tolerance IN all matters OF
religion have ever been held among the chief and
most characteristic privileges of American liberty,
and these would soon be found incompatible with
compulsory system of common school education.
IF the State prescribes who shall teach the young
on Monday it will soon extend this prerogative
and designate who shall teach them and their
elders also on Sunday. If the State appoints
teachers of science and Of the arts why not OF
morals and religion? The experience of every
country has proven this
Our arguments and our objections are, however,
based upon the principles Of our government, as
it was. They do not apply with the ceale force to
the existing state of things: We think it not u1-
likely that after we are miitarily and clVy recon-
structed, We shall be put through similar pro-
cess, morally md relgiously, and be taught the
three RS by gentleman nominated by the Presl-
| dent of the United States, and confirmed by the
Senate in Executive Session, Queen sabe
| The PEABODY FUND, it is suggested, should be
devoted exclusively to the education Of teachers.
We fully approve such use of the donation. Our
educational wants are perhaps greater now than
they have been for years, and our State is not in
position to do much OF present. Assistance from
abroad is welcome therefore; aud it should be put
to the best use; and this we unhesitatingy say is
in the education Of teachers. Proper precautions
should perhaps be taken, however, that the per-
sons educated for the purpose, should carry out
the design, and make teaching their profession.
|