Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1868-08-21

| while We give place to the following, we
desire to be understood as neither concur
ring in all its statements or approving It's
criticisms.1 'A H
-CoNsFANTIA, o., Aug. 10th, 1858.
The first session of the Delaware County
Teachers Institute having just adjourned,
it may not be out OF place here TO offer few
remarks, suggestions, or even indulge in
generous criticism concerning this organt-
cation.
The attendance was not large. Nearly
one hundred enrolled as members, but 20
of these are not practical teachers, though
perhaps designing 10 enter the profession.
The place of holding the, institute was ntly
chosen andsuitable, the hesurrOundings agree
able and terms reasonable. The teachers
present may remember with gratitude that
the people Of Sunbury have souls. The ex-
ercfses may be regarded as meaSurably sue
cessful, considering the tender age Of the in
stitnte, but unQuesTionably not what exper-
pertinent. The drilling upon what we are
toteach, judging from repeated expressions
during the session, is beneath the object an
institute is designed to subserTe. 1t be-
speaks a lax faith IN our intelligence, q aQues-
fess to know. Says the State School Com
missioner, in the llth Annual Report: cit
should be definitely understood by every in
stituUe instructor that IL is not the object of
. teachers institute to impart a knowledge
Of the several branches of study. This is the
tutes to learn how to teach these branches
We accord to Mr.. White, above quoted, a
sentiment Of a majority of our teachers.-
Our Executive Committee, apparently de-
sirous of performing much work. and earn
ing a little money, should be held account
able for labOring wide OF the mark At
least let us pray, in this connection, that In
future we may be delivered from incompe-
tent Instructors The more general exercise
es, Of music, discussion and lectures were
higaly satisfactory, though plainly ttnged
with feeling Of dtsappolntment. Owing
to domestic affiiction, Prof. O'Ikane failed 10
furnish music as prescribed in the pro-
gramme. The promise Of "a number Of EN-
tnent lecturers In the evening" proved only
prom isOry; unless the efforts of members in
attempts at eloquence and in discussion be
regarded ras marks OF em1nence. The M
Structtve address of Hon. Maj. Norris School
Commissioner, and the elaborate lecfures os
Prof Williams, should be regarded - str1-
king exceptions to the general failure in
this item Of the programme Tie manner
OF the business transactions, though the
subject or remOnstranee, was highly unsat-
isfaetOry, unparliamentary and farcical, and
q striking illustration Of the "oVermaster-
ing intelligence" of the few over the many.
Business was announced in place Of regu-
lar exercise, without previous notice, and
the choice OF ofdcersi adOption OF a eonstigu-
ton, and the levy OF o tax upon the 1nsGl-
tutef forced upon uss The idea Of an tnteili-
gent body transacting delicate and momens
tous business Withoat the right of vote by
ballet is RbsurCis Yet such appears to have
been the idea in conducting the business OF
Finally, allow me to aver that this article
is not dictated in a captions spirit nor to
elicit discussion upon the facts stated but in
ers' Institute of Delaware County are in
harmony with the spirit Of our great com
n1Onwealth and our great Republic; that
universal intelligence is the bulWark Of
universal liberty nay that INTEL ligenee IS
the soul of liberty" and in this view 1t is
above the selfish aggrandizement or mere
pecuniary reward OF any. That it is to be-
COME q powerful aid and protection to our
comm on school teachers, who are the rea
sponsible- agents in the accom- plishment OF
these greRtgendsgF = hen shall be realized
the hopeS ef7the great minds which LAID
the. foundatt0us Of our present grandeur
when the smiles Of ProVfdence shall be our
salvation, and no cloud shall permanently
rest upoa as but a cloud OF glory"
"A TEACHES.