The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-07
THE ADDRESS,

To choose a good end and employ the
right means for It's attainment, is the part
Of wisdom. And in proportion to the
greatness Of an object, and the difficulties
Of reaching it, is it worthy of wise mans
endeavors. Among objects of this charac-
ter, 1t is universally conceded that Educa-
ton stands in the very first rank
Now, what Is that training, moral and
intellectual, that viii be best adapted to
the ''Amcrjcan Student" for the duties
and trials Of life?
This Is surely question Of deep inter
est 1t is engaging the attention of the
intelligent, and the good all over the land.
Every State Government in the Union has
manifested more or less solicitude upon it.
The periodical press, educational societies
that are springing up in every direction,
Hoods OF treatlses from the imposing vol
ume to the unpretending pamphlet, all at.
test the Importance OF solid education, of
thorough education Of the mind in ele-
mentary truths.
1t would be strange indeed, amid so
much thought, so many plans, such wide
spread, intense eXertion upon this subject.
If some wisdom has not been elected
We believe that much may be gathered up
by the careful obscrver-that education in
these latter days has been much improved.
both in its principles and in its practical
details
The methods Of teaching are better
elementary books are vastly more clear
simple and interesting than they once were.
and what is of still higher Importance. the
character. both literary and moral. Of those
engaged in the work Of instruction is stead
lily advancing. Indeed, we have often
been tempted to envy the youth Of the
present day, the advantages thev eniov.
Still, 1t requires effort to learn. and
always viii. The hill Of science cannot be
leveled, and however smooth the path to
its summit may be made, it must ever be
an arduOus eminence.
Learning by STUDY must be won:
Twas ne'er entailed from sire to SON"
Still We venture to affirm that the same
distance may now be travelled over in far
less time, and with much less wearisome-
ness, than when some present were Chamber
ing up the toiisome steep.
In the further prosecution perhaps
ought to say persecution of our subject,
it will be our object to present some Of the
principal characteristics Of that education
which the American Student requires.
And first, we observe, that the train
ing Of the American Student ought to be
en,inentLy practical,
Let US not here be misunderstood. We
have no sympathy with that groveIing spirit
which raises the lip Of contempt against
everything in science and literature not
obviously and Immediately subservient to
worldly gain; nor with that short-sighted
selhshness which would discourage the
pursuit Of truth in any department of
knowledge, because the use Of what Is dis
covered may not at once be discerned.-
Neither can we regard with complacency
that knavish or stupid empiricism, which
Stumbles on in darkness, rather than looks
upward to the light Of principles. These
we consider irreconcilabla foes to a sound
education, and therefore we would not af-
ford them the slightest cOuntenance. It
may, then, be Thought premature to dis
cuss such a subject, while so many parts of
it are still in dispute, while so many i'm
provements are daily being made. and
while so much that is valuable is vet TO be
brought to light. But we Will endeayor
to avoid doubtful matters, and to profit bv
all which has really been gained. The
outlines Of noble landscape may be
clearly discerned, and its grand features
correctly delineated, while many things in
1t, both useful and ornamental. are still
hidden from the eye.
When then we say that education in
this country ought to be eminentlv practi-
cal, we do not mean that it should be less
scientific, or less classical, or less pbiIo-
sophcal, but that along with these hioher
attalnments there ought always to be com
munlcated that knowledge which will fit
the student for his part in the intercourse
and pursuits of ordinary life. Every man
among US must be more or less a WORKING
man, and therefore he ought to be practi-
caIiy educated. We have, in this country
no enormous entailed estates, no wealthy |
ecclesiastical establishments, nor those
many slnecures which in other countries |
raise large classes above the business of
the world. Nearly all our citizens are
dependent for subsistence upon their own
eSertlons, and even the few who are ex-
empt from this necessity must vet be so !
situated as to make some practical knowl- |
edge Indispensable to them. The most
opuent among US cannot throw off all care
oil their possessions and the most secluded
must occasionally come forth into business
intercourse with the world Hence we
are 'oorhtng people. Foreigners have
noticed this character of our nation. 1t
upon US a thoughtful serious as
pect, and difuses bustling activity
throughout the whole length and breadth
II eur lead