Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-30
SCHOOL EDUCATION.
The ,Opinfons Of AH Accomplished
scholar and Life.LSng Teacher of
Xnufh

scholar and Life-LSng Teacher of
Youth.
To the Editor Of the Ledger;
The all-absorbing topic Of education
has of late elected much discussion, and
We are told by an eminent philosopher
Of our day that education lie the most
inexhsustible Of all topics" The same
author asserts that education is one Of
the subjects which most essentially re-
qaires TO be considered by various
minds and from q variety OF points OF
view; for, Of al many sided subjects. il
is tie one which has the greatest number
Of sides" Many views Of this subject
have been presented. but it is strikingly
singular as well sc sad that compare
lively few writer's have devoted any at
tention whatever TO the most important
element Of education, ]. E.. moral train
ing. II it we're possible 10 introduce a
system Of education throughout our
great republic by which the youth Of
this country could receive the moral
culture 20 essential to the social az well
as TO the commercial world. then would
our American people have reason to
hail their system Of education as a
truly great national blessing.
The report Of the United States Com
missioner on Education is work ths:ex.
hibits careful compilation, and contains
accounts from the heads Of all the leading
educational institutions and OrganizA-
tons in the county, yet we find hardly
any who 10 their reports do even as much
as touch upon this essential requisite Of
education. lis repeatedly asserted that
crime 10 in the same ratio as ignorance,
and inVersely. This is rather a doubt
fnl argument, and although facts may 10
some instances warrant such a statement,
yet 10 most cases statistics will show an
equal number Of criminals in both the
ignorant and the so.called educated
classes.
Let the intelligent people Of America
seriously consider whether II can be
possible that the mere knowledge Of
reading, writing, arithmetic and the
higher branches viii prevent or restrain
a man or woman from the commission
Of crime. Not only will every intelligent
mau a. once see the fallacy Of such an
argument, but we daily see, hear and read
% intelligent and even well.instructed
men WHO sas their skill in penmAnship
to forge or couHterfeit checks, or who
use their knowledge Of bookkeeping 10
beeope defaulters. We notice good
writers Nhe devote their time to the pro.
duction CT immoral literature, or bur
glars who avail themselves OF their knovl-
edge Of chemistry and mechanics IN
eFecting an entrance into safes, etc.
Are not the most OF these refined
erinirsls men who are skilfull penssen,
good writer's, scientists, etc. ?aud YET their
knowledge does net restrain them from
crime.
Had these unfortunate beings In their
youth been under such training as would
have created in their hearts a moral sen.
timent which would prompt them TO
res;st the temptations to steal, 10 forge.
indulge ia drunkenness, etc, they would
not now be ranked among ;Aoss ~so are
the outcast Of the social world.
II people did but revolYe these facts
in their minds they would at once real
iEe The sscessiiy Of training the youth
ful hear, to be 81 great IS to store the
mind With useful kpovledgs,
Parents should place their children IN
care Of edsssIOrs whose influence, ex.