American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-02-13
Gen. Lee on School Discipline.

Gen. Lee on School Discipline.
The following report on school Dis
cipline was presented by Gen. Lee
at the State Teachers Convention,
held at Lynchburg, Va, last July,
1t possesses general interest, both
on account of the celebrity of its
author and its intrinsic value as an
able and instructive paper:
The Committee appointed by the
Educational Association of Virginia,
on " School Disci ,'line,' beg leave to
report that, i'll their opinion, it is i'm
practicable to establish fixed rules
forthe government Of Schools. Pub
lie sentiment IS so divided on the
subject, and the methods of family
trainings are SO various, that no uni
form system can be well adopted to
meet the general requirement.
If the subject of Education could
ever be of more Importance at one
period Of our history than at another,
that period is the present and that
it may be advanced to the highest
state of proficiency, it is important
that general cooperation should be
enlisted in its support. .
1t is therefore considered more adj
vantageous to recommend for atten
ton some general principles, and
leave their application TO the judg
ment and discretion of teachers
The selection of proper persons for
the office of teacher is a matter OF
the first importance; and as IFS duties
require long and comprehensive
preparation, it should be regarded
as among the most honorable and
important professions, and be com
mitted to those whose beneficial i'll
fuence and instruction shall en-
brace morals and religion, as well as
the intellect The teacher should be
the example of the pupil. He should
aim at the highest attaihable pro
ficiency, and not at pleasing medi
ocrity. Unless he can teach those
committed to his care, to think and
to work, and can impart to them
vigor with learning, there can be no
real advance. He must study the
character and disposition of his
pupils, and adapt his course of dis
cipline to their peculiarities. Above
/, all, he must be uniform, consistent,
firm, kind in his conduct, teach more
by acts than words, and show the
children under his charge that lie
has their interest at heart. lie
should look upon them not only as
: the parents of the new generation,
but also as heirs of immortality, and
! while preparing them for usefulness
I in this life, instill into their impressi
BILE minds principles Of piety and re
ligion; for if it be true, as Taught by
history, that greatness depends upon
virtue, it is equally true that reli
@ gion is the fountain and support O
9 virtue.
Should the daily businss of tbt
;, school be conducted on such princi
+ Piles, and the pupils be trained il
the habits of obedience, reverenc,
+ and truthfulness, and be convinced
that they are noble and lovely il
: themselves, and their practice mani.
IL q I'd honorable, the main object o
y Education will have been attained
It In addition to these moral iutlu
n ences. teacher should be c,othe'
, with all the authority of a paren
. in the discharge of his duties, am
10 lie sustained by him so long as h
e may entrust his child to his care
$. That he may lee kept constantly in
N formed of the conduct of his child
weekly, quarterly and yearly report
" of his progress should be sent hin
b by the teacher, in which should b
G. stated his absence, late attendance
oil and misbehavior. Certificates of az
:, vancement should likewise be give
to those who excel in studies an
" conduct. The systems of punish
OF ment ought to be as simple aud mil
ct as they can be made effective an
il. when coercion has to be resorted t.
q it should be generally left to tn
:, parent. Should admontion, restrit
!" ton of recreation, etc, fail to pre-
Is duce the desired effect, and the pup
al obstinately resist the patient eXpo
n. tulatiOn of the teacher, there wi
g then be no other resource than to II
- turn him to his parents as one nj
worthy place in the school.
In connection with this suhjec
st aud as an additional incentive fC
n. the faithful and conscientious di
"a charge of parental duty, the commi
tee refer to a statement which I'll
IS present Lord SALISBURY is said
I'D have made at public meeting
n London, that he had ascertaine
IN from personal observation, that {
adult male criminals of that cit
~ nearly all had begun a course I
rs crime between the ages of eight an
is sixteen; and that if u young ma
should pursue virtu0uS lite till L
was twenty years old, there wei
81 forty uine chances in favor, and OIL
one against his continuing an honc'
III life thereafter. How great Is IL
20 Importance. then, OF every parent e.
r. eTcising the necessary control OF Ii
n children under sixteen. BY prop
IN management, this would not be diff
cult, and might be tho means OF sa
~ ing him from crime, misery, and I
on morse.
Us
TVIt appears that Harper, Il
carpet bag member of the Louisial