The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-25

SucceSSful--ln fact, no one could nave an
ticipated more progress and improvement
as the last examinations have evinced. Il
is true we arc in need of some more cxpe
rienced teachers, but | doubt not we viii
have them after the lapse of two or three
years, when there will be here ladies and
| gentlemen as teachers, reared in our midst
and educated in our own normal schools
The Board of Education and our skilfull
! Superintendent of Public Schools have acted
earnestly and faithfully, and, without flat
tering. they deserve the thanks Of every
good citizen. s4ss, %
r. Fellow-citizens :. It is not my aim to
talk about the schools Of the past. | wish
to bring before the public, especially before
the Board of Education, a subject which,
/ hope, will be appreciated by all friends OF
Advancement and progress, and by all the
good people who wish well to Richmond
and Virginia. Our able superintendent
says in his report of February LIST, 1871 !:
e"That the introduction of the German Ian
guage into our public schools would be a
valuable acquisition is admitted" and the
former also able superintendent of the year
before recommended the same; twice it
was suggested, but this is all, nothing was
accomplished yet. .sts 80
l understand there are committees out
to have a petition signed by citizens and
taxpayers to the Board of Education of
this city to urge this body to devise plan
to have the German language taught in
at least some of our public schools. In
several of the Northern and Western States
has the, German language as subject of in-
struction already been successfully intro
duced- Why shall it not be done in Rich
mond, where there are, hear, l 400 voters
and Taxpayers who are either Germans by
birth or. descent ? s5 s.a
There is much spoken in our State and
city about emigration. The German will
certainly come also here if you tell him
when he arrives on our shores, go to Rich
,mond-to Virginia! Land is fertile and
cheap. There you will find labor if you
wish to.work. There you are respected,
whatever your occupation may be; and as
a proof tell him in the capitol of Virginia is
your veinacular, the German language,
taught in the public schools.
The German language is of great advan-
tage to all, in all positions of life, from the
common laborer 10 the learned profess
sions-to the natives as much as to the Ger
mans. The farmer and the mechanic may
engage the German emigrant, and by lit
knowledge of the language they are able
to converse and to consult together. The
manufacturer, the importer, and the ex-
porter cannot only engage the German as
laborer or clerk---more, by knowing him
and his language, he finds new market to
buy and to sell. The merchant derives the
same benefits as the latter in buying and
selling; and go to the larger cities and you
4L-,, ,le -~f 80.
board hanging out, "Hier wird Deutsch
go.sprochen''-here is German spoken.
! The student at 1a,o, the larger, the 3,hysi-
cian. the surgeon, all will improve in their
sciences by. reading and studying books
written in the German language; and allow
me to mention, the lawyers and the medical
fees for practice among population of more
than 5000 in this city are worth something.
The preacher, versed in the science of divin-
ity, will elevate himself and will advance
in knowledge by studying books on theology
and religion written in this language, even
should he only be able to read the original
translation of the Holy Bible by Martin
Luther, by Philipson, and others.
z The knowledge of the German language
will bring benefit to every one, and let us
not forget more than the sixth part of the
population of the United States are Ger
mans, either by birth or by descent. si
! About the language itself say nothing;
it is known to every man of science.
Finally, | request the worthy superin-
tendent of our public schools to urge be-
fore the board of education his suggestions
about the introduction of the German lam
guage into our public schools as early as
practicable. e.fss .s..
A FOREIGNER, but no stranger.