The Cairo evening bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1868-1870, 1869-01-22
General Lee ON Sch col discipline.

General Lee ON school Discipline.
The following report on School Discipline
was presented by Gen. Lee ut the State Teach.
ers' Convention. held in Lynchburg, Va, last
July. II possesses general interest, both on
account of the celebrity of its author and its
paper:
The Committee appointed by the Educa.
liona1 Association Of Virginia, on school
Discipline" beg leave to report that, in their
opinion, 1t rs impracticablc TO establish fixed
rules for the Government Of Schools. Pub
lie sentiment Is 50 divided on the subject, and
the methods Of family trainings are so vari.
Gus, that no uniform system can be well
adapted to meet the general requirement.
II the subject Of Education could ever be
III more Importance at one period Of our his
tory than at another, that period Is the pres
ent; and that II may be advanced 20 the
highest state Of proficiency, 1t is important
that general cooperation should be enlisted
In its support.
1t 10 therefore considered moro advantage
Gus to recommend for attention some general
principles, and leave their application to the
judgment and discretion Of teachers.
The selection OF proper persons for the Of
flee of teacher Is a matter Of the first import
ance and rs its duties require long and COM
prehensive preparation, Ii should be regarded
rs among the most honorable and important
professions, and he committed TO those whose
beneficial influence and instruction shall en-
brace morals and religion, rs we'll as the In.
tcllect The teacher should be the example
Of the pupil. lie should aim at the highest
attainable proficiency, and not at a pleasing
mediocrity. Unless he can teach those COM
mitted TO his care, TO think and to work, and
can impart to them vigcr with learning, there
can be no real advance. He must study the
character and disposition Of his pupils, and
adapt his course of discipline to their pesu.
liarities Above all. he must be uniform, con.
sistent, firm, kind in his conduct teach more
by acts than words, and show the children
under his charge that he has their true inter.
est at heart. He should look upon them net
only as the parents Of the new generation
but also as heirs Of immortality and while
preparing them for usefulness In this life,
lnstil into their impossible minds principles
of piety and religion; for II II be true, as
taughtby history, that greatness depcndsupon
virtue, Il is equally true that religion is the
fountain and support OF virtue.
Should the daily business of the school ho
conducted on such principles, and the pupils
be trained in the habits Of obedience, rever.
ence and iruthiulness, and be convinced that
they are noble and lovely in themselves, and
their practice manly and honorable, the
main object of Education will have been at
tanned. -.H
In addition To these moral influences, a
teacher should he clothed with all the au-
thority Of "A parent in the discharge OF his
duties, and be sustained by him so long as
he may entrust his child TO his care. That
he may he kept constantly informed of the
conduct OF his child, weekly, quarterly and
yearly reports of his progress should be sent
him by the teacher In which should be stated
his absences, late at enhance, and misbe-
hayior Certificates of advancement should
likewise be given 10 those who excel ia
studies and conduct The systems of pun
lshment ought To he as simple and mild AS
they can he made effective; and when coer-
cion has TO be resorted 10, IL should be gen.
orally left TO the parent Should admonition,
restitution OF recreation etc, fail to produce
the desired effect, and the pupil obstinately
resist the patient expostulation of the teach.
or, there will then be no other re source than
TO return him to his parents as one unworthy
place in the school.
In connection with this subject, and as an
additional incentive for the faithful and con
scientious discharge of parental duty, the
committee refer to a statement which the
present lord SALISBURY is said TO have made
at public meeting in London, that he had
ascertained from personal observation that
Of adult male criminals ofthat city nearly all
had begun course of crime between the
ages OF eight and sixteen; and that IL young
man should pursue virtuous life till he was
twenty yesrs old, there were forty nine
chances, In favor, and only one against his
continuing an honest life thereafter. How
great Is the Importance, then OF every parent
exercising the necessary control over his
children under sixteen BY proper manage
ment this would not be difficult, and might
he the means of saving him from crime,
misery, and remorse.
4 ErightfuI Cat.Iogns ~ r-s,.. A.. M