The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-08-29
Samuel j. KirkyvOOd, ESQ.
From the Guernsey Times, Oath inst

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Hon. Samuel j. Kirkwood, formerly
Superintendent of the Union Schools of
this place, and now Professor of Math-
ematics in Wooster University, paid
Cambridge brief visit last week. While
here it was our privilege to hear him ad-
dress the Normal School. His remarks
we're of the most practical and thorough
character, and his advice was such as
every teacher would do we'll to carry
home to the school room and employ
6aily. Prof Kirkwood is acknowledged
to be one of the best teachers in the
State or country, and his experience is
worthy of the most serious considera-
ton Of those just engaging in the pro-
-fession. He was on his way to Woods
field, the home of his youth, to lecture
before the Monroe County Teachers In
stitute. b..
We were well pleased with his remarks
in favor of teaching our children the ma
ture and character of our civil govern
ment, instead of allowing them to grow
up in ignorance of the institutions under
which we live land we regarded the point
we'll taken, that had more attention been
given to these things in the past, the sad
years of the late rebellion might have
been avoided Did people better under
stand the form and value of republican
government, they would not be so likely
TO attempt its overthrow.
BY devoting fifteen minutes each week
to this kind of instruction in our schools,
a very considerable knowledge Of such
matters may be impaired. The children
become interested, and soon begin to
make inquiry of their parents, and they
are constrained to give attention to the
important subject, SO that they may be
able to answer the interro cations of the
children, which arise from time to time, ,as
result of such training He woul teach
them the. origin and necessity of civil
government, the different species and
their subdivisions; the leading features
of our own. in its original and improved
forms, with its several departments; the
Legislative, its divisions, qualifications Of
members, manner of election, term of
service, their powers and duties the judi
cial, how established, the different courts
under it. and by whom held the execu-
tive, with its different departments and
thei. respective heads the names of the
President and Vice President and the
qualification for these offices, as to age,
citizenship, etc, their terms of Office and
order of succession how many Senators
from State and the names of those from
their own, and many other things which
we need not enumerate.
To this end every teacher should be
well informed; he cannot discharge his
duties properly unless he is. Must be
well posted regarding the news of our
own and other countries. In order to Sc
cure this knowledge he must take The pa
pers and read them. Nearly all the week
~ newspapers lave ne ws up to the day be.
fore their publication, and they may keep
well up in these things without even in
curing the expense of taking a daily
They must feel an anxiety to succeed, and
put forth their utmost powers Since no
one can teach what he does not know.ev-
cry teacher must be a good scholar.
He spoke of the necessity of reviewing
lessons preparatory to hearing recita-
tions as one of the leading essentials, ci-
ting as an example of one who has taught
constantly for twenty five years, and con-
tinues to do this. Good scholarship and
good teaching tend to good government,
and those who are familiar with their du'
ties create more interest an0 command
more undivided attention of pupils.
And, ,fnally,he would have the teachers
remember that there is something even
more important committed to their keep
ing than to make good scholars of our
children. They must endeavor by their
manner, influence and precept, to make
them better men and women, better citi
zens, more honest, more truthful and lup-
right. The influence of their teaching in
this regard is not only for time, but will
extend throughout eternity.
The teacher is the model on which
character is. formed and he should be
careful in everything. In the language of
another, he said, the object of public
schools is to impart habits of mercy and
habits of truth Nothing is so powerful
as habit Make your pupils clean, hon
est and truthful in all things. Locke, one
of the most learned of men, said that
among men the principles most desired
were virtue, wisdom, good breeding and
learning; and the speaker called attention
of the teachers to the fact that he placed
learning last of all.
Prof. KIRKwooD is attending the Mon
roe County Teachers Association, now
in session. On the 25th inst. he address
sed the Association pretty much in the
language contained in the above.