Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-05-01
POPULAR EDUCATION

EDrTos ARGUS The peoples minds are
30 taken up with the political excitsmen.s
that seem to oonvulse the entire community,
that ws.hsd better turn back to first princi
pies for while, and consider the foundation
OF all good government, which undoubtedly
consists in the thorough and proper training
OF the rising generation. 1t is admitted on
all sides, that the American educational
system is unexcellsd by any on the globe,
and hence no people are so capable OF self
government IS the people OF the United
States. "a virtuous and snlightening peo-
pie, can never be enslAved." This sublime
sentence read in my early youth, and have
ever treasured it 10 my memory. Now
have not much If any fault to find with the
mode of imparting instruction IL our pubic
schools. For the most part it leaves moth
ing to be desired. But do find fault with
some of the things taught, and more yet
with the lack Of many things that should
be. EducGtion, from Educo 20 call out or
bring out, implies an equal development OF
the whole man, physical as well as mental.
There should be in every school well ap-
pointed gymnasium, and oil the needed
psrAphernaliA for developing the muscular
strength of the pupils. No one can fully
realize his or her mental possibilities, with
o weak muscle. The Spartan students were
the athletes that made that a nation Of
heroes. Health is at the bottom of great
scientific attainment and TO neglect that is
simply to labor in vain 10 educate our child
rem. The laws of health should be thoroughly
taught in our common schools, and teachers
should be required TO spend at least half an
hour each day in lecturing their classes on
this subject 1t 10 criminal in our authori-
ties 20 neglect this important branch Of
education. Then music ought to be taught
soieut ihcAlly in every schOOl. A competent
teacher should be employed for this purpose
alone. These are the things that are now
neglected, that should be adopted as more
important than grammar or black boarc
, drawing. Then there is one thing mori
, that is imperAtively necessary that shoulC
be taught radically in every school room
| us 10 AuC lOob etuiuoo VI Wv
sAcredness of law, Of any civilized people
len openly disregard the laws Of the land
and hold In light esteem the rulers of tn
r people. There is want of respect ant
!. reverence for superiors that is positively dis
. gushing to well-bred people Of other ns
lions. l Am not an advo
/ cate of toadyism BY any means
v but do contend that We should respect GU
rulers, aud treat the acts upon our stAtut
book, as sscredly binding upon US. Now
what | want to impress upon public after
=, ton, is the necessity of teaching our schoC
" chlldern good manners, and those refnmenl
IS which make q man or woman gentleman
ly or lady. They should be taught to respeC
q authority, aud TO understand it, and to B
- polite aud respectful in every word and &C
> aud this should not be thrown 10 just to e
" up, but should constitute distinct brsnci
a and have separate hours set apart for il
he medication. The sGhoolroom should be mad
- attractive as possible; and all that ca
possibly be objected TO by any one in rel
son, should be carefully avoided We a
losing an immense influence over . vel
large class of our fellow citizens, by insis
ing upon the OLD Seceder practice OF relig
Gus exercises in schools. | object to al
attempt At intoxicating religious doctrine
even by implication, IN these nGTserle
lie: the books used in schools be entire
r. free from ell sectAriAn bias. Even the Bib
itself, be it ever so sacred, is not props
book TO be read in our schools, while By j
being read, one child is KEEP: from recelvip
the enlightenment necessary TO make III
In a useful citizen. Il is needless to say | &
Bible reader and prize its sacred trutl
IN beyond price, yet do contend that it is n
= common school book and our educate
~ have no business to compel the sttendau
in of pupils upon its reading | AN glad
IL, know that in Rock Island the Bible is n
read 10 school hours, bat as an exercI
before the school is called, for only such
'el Voluntarily choose to attend. This is GO
en- and liberal, and deserves the hearty col
mendAsion of the public. II these suggC
he iions meet the approval Of your intelligs
readers, ard steps are taken to carry the
i'' out, they will doubtless do much good. s
be very gratifying to PiPA.