Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-04-22
For the Fayetteville Observer.
How should our Sons be
educated?
BY MALCOLM.

weeks in the hope that some one
else would take issue with us on
the subject Of Mixed Schools. In
coming before the public to discuss
this subject, we have not acted
hastily, as some have supposed,
nor without due regard to the con-
sequences. We were quite pre-
pared to hear from some of our
good friends, the warning, "Better
follow the beaten track" accom-
panied with an ominous shake of
the head; for the scornful curling
of pretty lips; and even for con-
temptuous glances and sneering
remarks. Nor DO we yet shrink
from the severe ordeal of criti-
cism but in the words of the dis
tinguished DR.. Bledsoe, eve
should, on the contrary, court and
coVet its most searching scrutiny,
as the best possible means to elm
mate truth from the mass of error
in which it is still imbedded."-
There is, indeed, no subject under
the sun in regard to which man.
kind stand in greater need of clear
and distinct knowledge, than the
nature of Education. There is no
subject which more nearly con-
Germs the best and dearest inter-
ests of society, than the kind of
schools in which the young are to
be educated. offence no mean
cowardice or fear of the critics
lash, should keep US from the res
olute endeavor, at least, to contrib
ute our mite toward so great and
desirable q work"
Before proposing a change, it is
of course necessary to point out
the evils Of existing systems. We
have already noticed some of the
evil workings Of the old system,
and its influences on girls; and if
Deal Fairly had not bothered so
with his personalities, we intended
long ere this to have discussed its
bearings upon boys. In articles
of the required brevity, it is pos
sible to give only an abrege of the
argument that might be made.
To show the evils of associating
boys in large numbers, away from
the purifying and refining inauen-
ces of the gentle sex, l need only
point to the colleges of the coun-
try. To uncover and exhibit to
the public gaze the disgraceful
scenes that are constantly recur-
ring under this old and absurd
system, this dried fungus on the
decayed trunks OF ancient monas-
teries, is not pleasant task, and I
leave it to others. Let the curl
GUS reader refer to such works as
Yale College ScrapeS, for the facts.
These give a shocking but too
truthful picture of the mysteries
and crimes of college life. Alas !!
how many fond parents have sent
their bright and promising boy
away to be educated, and received
him back a confirmed drunkard
and profigate bis voice which in
infancy delighted to repeat prayers
and passages of Scripture, now
the ears of a pious and
chaste family by oaths and obsce-
nifty. These are brazen facts
which will stare any one in the
face who will look at this subject
without prejudice or passion. IT
is no more the part of a wise man
now than in the days of Patrick
Henry "to shut our eyes against
the painful truth" or to listen to the
1uerulous voice of supineness lazily
1rawling out, Gust let US alone if
you please" Such sleepy folks
ought to be punched in the ribs
and aroused to defend their posi-
-ion-if, indeed, it is worthy of de-
fence, which we very much doubt.
But to come nearer home most
If the seminaries, academies and
common schools, are now conduct
ID upon the reformed system
The happy results of the change
ire both many and Important
What old teacher or citizen does
lot remember, or what observer
If the few remaining boys schools
It the present day does not know,
hat these are generally nuisan-
es. We remember one, not a
hundred miles from Fayetteville,
after having been built at
considerable cost, was bought and ,
emolished by the neighbors, be-
ause there was no security for or
hards or hen-roosts for miles a.
Ound. "Boys will be boys" says
n apologize proverb; and we