Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-09-26
CORRESPONDENCE.
WYOMING.
WYOMING. -
EDUCATION ~ DRLAwARE-rEAui'khs CON
t yENTIoN. rt

yENrIoN.
WYoMlNa, Sept 10th, 1867.
We do not wish to trcspass too frequent
~, hut cannot well be Silent, alter rendihg
the interesting and spirited article OF "0hio
1t is like a cooling pool in weary desert.
1t is, at least, one shining ripple breaking
the dull monotony and sleepy lethargy, SO
plainly and painfully seen respecting eduea-
ton in Delaware Would that ii could be.
come mighty wave, sweeping over, and
inspiring The people of Delaware with a
zeal rus desire for improvement in their
schools.
1--WE pity Delaware, il she has no teach
ers who are as they ought to be-" We are
Obliged to you for your sympathy, kind
"Ohio. We need it as well as your help.
We rejoice that you are acquainted win,
Unfortunately mot in Delawarc,) many
teachers who arc as they ought to be. And
we are pleased to learn we have with us so
excellent Judge of teachers-may we pro-
fit by the advantage. What" Ohios ideas Of
perfection are we know not; but we should
be slow TO say we have in Delaware, either
native or imported, single teacher, . who
is as he ought TO he That would speak
absolute perfection, and, thereby, conflict
somewhat with. Ohio's" and my Orthodox
persuasion, as to the irailty of man.
But while we cannot claim perfection for
Delaware teachers, we cannot entirely agree
with "Ohio,' that they are "blnd leaders
If the blind True, they have not had amy
Of the advantages Northern teachers claim
for themselves. There are no Normal
schools or other institutions which make
practical teachers Of persons before they
| have had any practice ut teaching. But we
believe there are many-very many--teacll-
| ers in Delaware, who are earnest and ener-
gctic-cxercisng much of that spirit for the
good Of others not to be had for gold. They
have had TO contend with difficulties, and
have lMborcd under disadvantages, with
which most Northern teachers are not ac-
quainted. In lieu OF educational institu-
tions and college advantages, they have had
the stern opposition Of actual want in this
respect Go to tn, teachers of Delaware
question them. You will find them princi-
pally young men, who will surprise you by
telling the difficulties under which they ac-
quired the little knowledge they possess of
text hooks. Many of them were without
teachers, and most generally without en-
enlargement or example. And yet, you
will not Away there are some exceptions
find them the ignorant mules you suppose
them to be- They have some knowledge OF
books, and few IDEAS Of the proper mode OF
teaching and government - the former
learned by the midnight lamp, the latter
cleaned from the experience of the school
room; and thus they have had teacher in
the stern reality of life.
In proof TIL / the teachers OF Delaware
are not entirely blind and utterly ignorant,
we might refer to the general intelligence,
quiet indusir,, moral stability and religious
zeal of Deawure's sons and daughters; they
will compare very favorably with those OF
other States. Our prisons are us empty, oul
Sabbaths AS well kept our Almshouscs
as sparscly pcopled as are those OF Other
States. We have no more dram shops
would they were tewer--no more drunkards
no more thieves and murders than State.
nor til of us. And all these speak in iavol
of Delaware teachers--wc will, of course
not forget TO give n big slice of credit t,
Methodist itinerants, and a few crumbs Il
the starched gentry of other denominations
but much of all that is good is attributable L
the influence of school MISUNDERSTANDING
as they have been, without proper facilities
for teaching, and without sufficient pay.
But, after all, there is no question, bu
that the teachers of Delaware, on compari
son with those who are coming amongst Ii
will find hemsclyes--ourselvcs, for am on
Of you-at the foot OF the ladder. le
this should be no encouragement. w
should double our diligence; for fe,
of us have been something more than hal
SO industrious as we might have been. W.
should make these new corners our friend
and teachers, and by industry we may 500
become their equals in point OF education
And there is no better way to do this tina
Z by association. Let us have our propose
: Convention, will you teachers In the word
! of "Ohio" where are you 7 DO We fear
compare votes 2 greatly fear some Of u
do, but. il under better system OF educ,
. ton we cannot live we ought to sink and i
: those better qualified take our places; Il
y interest Of the rising generation demand i
G We want organization Let ever
$ one willing TO spend few dola
/ attending convention at Dover, speak j
: some way to be heard. Let Editors an
!. Ministers become leaders in the matter
:, in the words of one correspondent, 'sagitatit
y be the beginning of wisdom. organizatit
= must be its application. Let us organize
= organize. organize.. JUNlUS.