Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-12-15
Select 8eaaing.
From the Winchester Times.
To the People Of Frederick County.

" thO CoPkO VI SO0hLys
WINCHESTER, VA, Nov. 25th, 1870.
When. at the instance Of appreciative
friends, [ consented to accept the position
Of County Superintendent under the re-
Gently adopted system of Public Schools
l was aware that vas assuming duties,
the discharge of which would be beset by
many and peculiar difficulties The reIuc-
lance to organize the schools already man
Tested convinces me that our people are
not yet prepared to accept this system, and
l avail myself of the opportunity afforded
by the lberality and public spirit OF our
papers, to communicate with all sections
ofour county, and, if possible. to remove
the objections and prejudices against pub
lie schloe education.
[ do not think any one could have been
more opposed to this system when we
were first threatened with it, than myself;
yet, after fair and liberal examination Of
it in all its bearings, am persuaded that
my own prejudices invested the system
with Objectionable features which it does
not essentially possess. Instead Of regard
Jug the free schools as once did, as a
baneful institution, imposed upon US by
tyranical power, was frs: brought to ad-
NIT that it was one of the least injurious
exactions Of our present constitution; and
finally, | have come to the conclusion that
it is a positive benefit.
The cardinal principle of the free school
system in calling upon the State at large
and the people of each community, ia
EDITION, to provide for the education of
those whose limited means and over-work-
ed energies make it impossible for them
to secure Instruction for themselves, com
mcnds itself to every liberal aud impair
tial mind. In estimating the merits of
free scools, let this principle be kept al
ways in view, and the duty Of rocogni.
ziug its justice and its claims upon cur at
tention and resources mast soon be ac-
knowiegdg by all. 1t is true we may be
able, at least in some communities, to
make the free schools adequate for all
classes of society; but this is an accidental
advantage. not to be expected as promis-
ed by the schools. 1t must be remember
ed that they teach the primary branches
only, as required by law, and that while
other branches can be taught in the free
schools, these latter can not be allowed to
interfere with the full and thorough ele-
mentary course essential to a common
school education. 1t is not intended or
desired that the free school shall super
sede the classical, or preparatory sch DOL.
While by local subscription and tax high
grade has been attained in the State school,
yet both public and private schools Of
higher grade have also fourshed in intel
ligent communities for the benefit of thoss
whose means can command more liberal
and thorough education.
Many Of US are opposed to free schools
because we think they originated at the
north. In this we are entirely mistaken.
The origen Of free schools, as Of almost all
the great educational aud relig Gus systems
the world has Produced, can be traced to
the heart of Germany The success of
the Prussian armies in the gigantic war
now progressing has been largely attribu
ted to the superior Intelligence of the Ger
man soldier, due, to great extent, to the
fact that under the Prussan system Of
schools only seven per cent, of her fight
ing population are without good practi-
cal education, while of the French army
over thirty per cent. are unable to read
and write. From Europe the free school
first found its way to Canada. and thence,
in its natural course, it has reached us.
1t is not then the product of Yankee in
genuity. Indeed, long before free schools
were established at the North, Washin G.
ton, Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and others
of the cid regime advocated public school
education. In accepting free schools we
are therefore simply Introducing a system
at the proper time, as indicated by the pro
gress of>events. which our purest and
most sagacious foresaw and approved Of
Again, the free school is not essentially
political, although it has been to slight
extent, in some northern States, perverted
for political proposes. In the entire or
ganization of the public school system in
Virginia political influence ha teen scru-
pulously ignored, and without regard to
party, many OF the best men in our State
have been appointed superintendeats, and
trustees of public schools. While equal
and just provision is made for the colored
race,it is especially insisted upon by the
law the social monstrosity of mixing white
and black children in the free schools shall
not be allowed. The tax for the support
of free schools is not, az in some other
States, general land or property tax,
and therefore oppressive exclusively upon
the rich; but it is mainly poll tax, VIII ich
all have to pay. poor as well as rich, be-
fore any benefit can be claimed from the
free schools
According to the report of Mr.. Ruffncr,
the State Superintendent, there has
already been accumulated for the