Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-07
fCommunieated.l
Public and Private Education.

man mind, and the true lnteresls VI
society. This method is natural, 1t IS
almost instructive. The author OF our
being has Implanted in the hearts OF
parents the desire and the duty to pro-
vide for the future necessities and
happiness of their offspring. In this
provision is included the cultivation
of their minds, their careful training
for all the practical duties Of life. But
Ds.rents desire above all things the
strict moral integrity Of their chill
dren; and their deep seated undying
affection qualities them to be the most
jealous, patient and successful teach
ers. The State may educate for mo-
tives of policy, but parents on account
of love and a sense Of religious duty.
1t seems natural then, that the sub
iect of education should be igtt to par
,,1its and combinations Of parents, Gided
f,s thea. resigiOlLs ilasfructOrs.
The most essential part Of education
Is that moral and religious instruction
which qualities the young for eleva-
ti0n and happiness in this life, and
immortal felicity in a future state.
This is too sacred to be committed to
ahe State. WHIST God hath joined to
gether let no man put asunder.
When the government leaves edu-
cation. IS it docs religion, to the man
agement OF the people, parents and
guardians will provide schools Of ev-
cry necessary grade, whose manage
ment will harmonic with their own
conscientious and religious convie-
tions Of truth. 4 few, or a large num-
Der, who feel that they need assist
ance, and who are willing for their
children to be ultimately associated
together, can employ teacher Of their
own choice, v hose instructions will
harmonic with their own. Here
ths1 is a select community whose
morals are guarded and not contain
mated by the constant contact of the
vicious. Every class Of society, in
this way. can be accommodated, with
out pulling down the more upright
and refined to a common level with
the more degraded.
This plan Is less expensive, because
every dollar is applied directly TO us
legitimate object. There are no IN
tervening salaried officers to be paid.
Each parent spends his money
fOr his own children and Is
ant to be careful TO see that
they get It's full value; and his child
zen, seeing that money is constantly
paid for their tuition, are more dis
posed to make a proper improvement
of their time than if their instruction
seemed to be gratuitOus. Again, pu-
pills who will not learn under this sys-
TEN are apt TO be put to work until
they acquire a taste for books. We
are told that John Quincy Adams,
when a boy, had a great aversion to
coiug TO school. His father put him
10 ditching until he acquired hearty
desire to return to his studies.
1t may be objected that, according
to TINS plan, the great mass will not
be provided for, and viii grow up in
IGNORANCE. This objection is more
rlausible than real. The poorest work
lng people can pay for a few months
tuition during the year. II these lew
months should be a relaxation from
labor. they will generally benefit the
nuDils more than the whole year viii
those who are not Injured TO any kind
OF useful employment. Let old men
call to mind the few winter months
in which they were sent to school, and
compare their progress with that OF a
SeW bows whose parents were wealthy
ana kept them at their studies Inc
whole year. They viii find that, al
most without exception, those only
who had applied themselves dillsent-
" 10 some Kind Of useful employment
made rapid and permanent advances
IN science. i is very important lOf
the Young to be trained 70 apply them
selves energetically to whatever they
attempt. The intermiXtnre OF labOflng
and going to school, is highly promo
tive of this energetic habit. Common
sense as well as necessity suggests this
method of training the young. Ii L
cheap, il is accessible TO all. 1t
is notorious fact that all teachers are
delighted with pupils who behave
vel and always get good lessons. 20
,yreat - this delight that teacher was
probably never known to reject 4
pupil of this character on account Of
inability to pay. Therefore, on this
plan, ali well behaved and strdlous
pupils can 20 to school either by pay
INC tuition if they are able, or gra.
tuitously if they have no money. Bul
what shall become Of the multitude o.
children who are unruly and Will mol
1e9rn ? Why. let them be made tC
w,7rk. There is no use in taxing tht
pnbl;c for the education which they
will noS receive.
Instruction in private schools en-
c,a7ders a feeling.Of independence anC
seIeteliance, The greater the OBJ
stscles encountered, the greater vii
6afhe strength acquired in surmount
inc them. In all the learned profes
eions, in mechanical operations, an'
in ali great enterprises, the most re
liable and successful men are tnOs'
XVbo have encountered difficulties anC
have risen By the strength OF then
own native energies. Therefore th'
plan of training which is best calcu
lated TO draw forth the iun exercise o
Sbose energjes, is the most desirable
when the State or public authorit,
doas rot assume to control education
1,r;yafe schools will be founded II
abnndance. There will be a generou:
rivalry among teachers. Tuition vii
he reasonably low, and buildings 70
schoIsstie purposes will be cOmmodl
ous and well furnished. For an Illus
tration OF this, look at the pres
ont condition Of the city OF Mem
Ibis. The public schools nav
-, in existence about twenty years
T9e4,rae:7 fifty and hundred THOUSAND
doIlsrs have been expended on then
Connolly. Yet there is not now q re
eernoctsbie. no.. hot a decent publ
school building in the city. Dut ...Iltll theI
are several private instiy yu!lous ny
have costly and substantial ouiluIhgs
and their number would be consiG,5
abIv increased, if the system Of puDli
schools aid not exist. The teachers Il
private schools, after the expense {
buildings, furniture, fuel, etc, DO nc
probably receive, on an average, NOR
imam fiffv dollars a month. Whereas
in the public schools, the teachers re
ceive from seventy to one, hundre'
and eighty dollars month; ana l
addition to these salaries, there IS
cost of house rent, furniture, fuel, an
a number Of other ineidentals.
The private schools in the CITY
either because the pupils are OF a Del
seT class, or are better governed, q
- ...oxr the prpiphho~hOOds in WhlC