The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-04-16
A Plain Talk on a Familiar
Subject.


our facilities for acquaintance with
some of the hidden workings of the
Educational system has opened our
eyes to numerous facts about which
we would fain have remained unde-
eeiyed. The general lack Of public
spirit end enterprising energy with
the majority of teachers is deplorable;
yet the few earnest and devoted
workers, justly merit great credit for
theirfaithful endeayors. rra = 81
But we desire publicly to ac-
knowledge the favors showered upon
us. We are grateful for the multi
tude Of promises Of occasional contri-
buttons so willingly given by many
teachers-prompted in part from their
love of the work, and partly to es-
cape our opportunities. 1t affords US
occasion for profound rejoicing o re-
feet that these assurances may at
least be regarded as the shadows of
coming events, whose coming we
have fondly hoped for, but which it
has not been our happy lot to behold.
-four bright anticipations Of time
when manuscript should be plenty
have. not been realized, it is hoped
that seeds have been sown which
will yet spring up and blossom to
the Joy Of our editorial successors, in
in relief from the persistent cries Of
the printer for "more copy'' when
there is no more copy to give. We
are thankful for that complimentary
privilege which has allowed us the
full and free use of their column, thus
making it virtually a medium of air
ing our own thoughts, rather than
an organ of the teachers of Kenosha
Co. We cannot refrain from graft
tude that kind teachers have allowed
us to fill in all our scraps of time
with doing their legitimate work,
which has necessitated us to peer In
to the mysteries of spinning out
ideas, and retailing them by the
yard,--an art comprehended by so
few. We have been highly fortu-
nate in another direction (which
causes our gratitude to we'll up from
still more hidden depths. Itis ia
vor rarely granted frail mortal, to
pursue a clear and unobstructed pas
sage as he endeayors to climb the
rugged sleeps ofliterary distinction !;
yet those who have already attained
the nights, have hurled no rocks of
criticism upon US, nor dropped any
bombs of sarcasm into our inexperi-
enced ranks, to scatter all our aspi-
rations in disorderly confusion =
while those at the foot Of the ladder
have not endeavored to loose its fas-
Jennings, and thus bring US to grief.
But we have been permitted to mount
unmolested, and here we. proudly
stand, knowing from our past expert
ence that whatever our statements are
there will be none to dispute them.
This is indeed land of freedom, aud
liberty is a glorious boon !; but such
liberty as we have been allowed by
the teachers Of this county, in criti-
cising wherever we have round
opportunity, in lauding wherever any
circumstance has seemed to warrant
us in screwing up our conscience tc
the point of SO doing,in building up
theories of our own imaginings, and
in pulling out the foundation stones
of existing absurdities, when any
new creYice has allowed firm clench
on them. 7a
Really, as we mediate upon your
kindness, 0 teachers, a consciousness
of rising emotion almost overwheIms
US. To think your gentle meek
ness, in submitting without muir
muir to all the wordy castigations o.
unsophisticated inexperience, z is
touching indeed. IJaI <haW 81
Let us put aside our intellectual
KIDS for a moment, while we grapplt
with stubborn facts. This surpri-
sing meekness on your part, after all
is devoid of virtue. A lack of in
ward force and spirit which does
nothing either good, bad, or indifer-
emf, possesses no claim to the
title of a virtue of any sort. what
ever. Laziness is a positive sin.
What other term can consistently be
applied to your continued silence and
indifference 99The reason Why YOU
have done nothing for the public
good, and have failed to recognize, a
duty IN sustaining an educational de-
partment in the Telegraph, Or a sim
gle Teachers Association, is probably
because it was not expressly stipula-
ted in your contracts, or because vol
have no opinions of your own thai
you dare express. Is this the prin,
ciple you carry into the schooi-roomi
Is it your highest aim there TO seek
how little You can do, and yet draw
wages3 Be careful lest your sins find
You out. Keep this article out Of
sight Of your pupils, if this idea re-
spends toyour inner experience. II
your heatrs were full of devotion r.
your work, it would not require such
a mighty effort to devote few mo-
mentso aside froln your regular six
hours to its interests. You desire
higher wages, yet you have not suf-
fcient energy to take step towards
II. There are numerous desirable
changes and reforms that only. re-
n11ire q lli44IA -tL1. nr Hlllr