New-York tribune., 1869-06-03
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
DEFENSE OF THE ROD.

Ia The Editor Of The Trtouhe'
srp.A few days ago noticed an article in the
od,total columns of your paper concerning corporal
nnnishmento which sometimes inflicted in schools
and I'M some perhaps to an excess. Although do
not las you will see) agree to the total abandonment OF
corporal chastsement, am q warm moralsuasion adVo
cate prudent teacher and dscpllnaran will not use
the rod upon child for every first second oense it
commits for 1t is but child But must relate few
few instances which nothing but the rod proved con-
queror The first is two boys at play each greatly
interested in his game suddenly they quarreled, and as
odor heads than theirs have done, went from angry
words to blows The larger of the two boys struck the
smaller some heavy blows, which oft repeated OF
course the younger complained and the offender was de-
tsined in school that day until late hour for punish
ment-tirst attempt at moral suasfon. Next day SAID
offender vowed he'd be revenged his threat having been
told to his teacher they both kept n teacher hav
ing long conversation with him, showing Tor trying to
show) wherein he wrong and very wicked Thinking
this had made impression him. both were sent on
together hand.n.hand, 10 renew former friendship
second attempt at moral suason" Next day small boy
said that after they OF sight OF school his an
assaed him moro friousy than before Teacher
hearing Of It, and finding his statement To be true began
10 think that moral suasion ala not Id that ttie Doy
OF his gOnstc annoyer consequently his last oense
was punished with severe sick suasOn which ~ assure
you proved eTectusl for II was applied with rigor.
Enoher example the OF truant, whose mother
had sont him regularly 10 school for ou" weeks ana on
being sent for by his teacher his mothers astonsnent
look for HIM after awcay search she fonnd him loungn
leisurely in Broadway She whipped him to school, ana
desired his teacher 10 do which, however, teachet q
not do but detained him after school, ana talked with
him Next day he was sent bu did not come. Third day
was seen playing the streets Mother being n0thed,
ne received another whipping from her, and was
brought 10 school and whipped by MS teacher Next day
he was sent but Obsnatey refused 10 come Was taken
p by force and brought to school by some OF his schOO
mates who larger than he, ana VINO knew that u
was his mothers desire to have him attend school Ihat
day hs teacher aid not moral suason but repaired
to closet wnereirom was taken thick rattan about Is
inches m length and applied with considerable severity
Truant had several times entreaed for cessation OF hos
tilries AT last his promises rapidly, that no
heart unless had been Of stone could have resisted
them and he went of Since then no has faith
fully kept promise and whenever he has been absent
IL by his mothers permission. =, -
II there any moral saSotst erdnt who could have
succeeded by using anything beside rod upon the above
pity he had not had opportunity OF so
doing He certainly would havo saved them sound
thrasmng at least. AIEAcHER'
I'VE believe we must admit that there are
teachers who can only command obedience by
hogging. We only wish to add that there are
also teachers who can secure obedience with
out flogging, and we prefer this sort. Ed. 1r1b.l