Middletown transcript., 1874-05-02
For the Transcript.
Education in Delaware.


1t is an acknowled fact by learned men
that education in Delaware has been sadly
neglected That children who have had
the mental ability to become prominent cit.
izens and an honor to the State have new
er had an opportunity to develop their
mental powers, and consequently have
been thrown into the world a detrimeut
rather than an ornament to society.
While there are few enthusiastic and
learned men in some parts of the State,
the greater part is almost totally wanting
such enthusiastic workers in a cause fol
which God has intended them
That Delaware is far behind the rest o.
the Middle States is, indeed, too true
Even New Jersey few years ago showed
a lack OF interest in education equal tc
that now exhibited in our own State. bu
now, with her numerous and well conduct
ed schools, she is far in the advance o.
Delaware.
Now, why do we net awaken to a sense
Of our duty and make prodigious effor
to bring our little State at least on a PAL
with New Jersey, and not be guided by =
few "old fogies," who. when spoken tt
concerning the education of their children,
reply that they intend to give them an ed
ucation equal to their own; that they have
prospered, and think their children should
inherit simlar success
Such "old fogies," who in our opinion
deserve the censure rather than the praise
of the community, are held up by the ig.
norant classes as examples to their chill.
dren and subjects; aud thus institutions
Of learning and refinement are jocred a,
rather than encouraged; and even when
such institutions are started, they are
obliged to struggle for life for the want Of
patronage.
Now, if child is an idiot, then it is
useless to try to educate him; but if he
exhibits the slightest sign, of mental abl-
ity then do not spare expense or trouble to
give him all mental and moral culture pos
sible If you have not the means, and
have friends ready to assist you, do no,
hesitate to avail yourself of their kindness
for the investment is proper and pro6ta-
BILE. Your child will be pleasure rather
than drawback to you in your old age.
1t is true man may cut coat or shoe
horse without knowledge of Greek or
Calculus. But if man is we'll educated,
whatever be his occupation his education
will surely be no drawback to progress II
be is thrown into learned society, then Q
good educatios asd refinement are essen
tial to his happiness. We notice that grea,
interest has, recently been manifested in the
proposed county fairs. Now, while VIC
encourage in every respect such exhibi
tions, We certainly do not think they
should receive more attention than insti
tutions Of learning and refinement.
Years ago it was the prevalent opinion
that students were generally dissipated ant
intemperate. This opinion, entertained
without foundation, still prevents parent.
from sending their sons to college or even
away from home to school, which is surely
great mistake. Besides having instilled
into their minds, while there, knowledg,
of books. they are thrown in constant con.
tact with all kinds of characters, and nrt
better able to Judge individual character IN
after life. If it lie your intention to devote
your life to learned profession, to teach
ing, to journalism, then thorough edu
cation will insure your success.
If you have abundant means, the bcs
investment you can make is in your edu
cation, for whatever happens to you pscu.
niarily your education will stand by you
How are we TO bring about rsdica
change in our school system is naturally
the first question which arises in the mint
of the reader. 1t must be accomplished
by degrees. We would suggest that we
in some particulars follew the example Of
other States which have established suct
thorough school system. In the frs
place there should be elected or appointed
a superintendent for each county by whom
all teachers in our public schools should
be examined thoroughly in those studio,
which should be taught in every public
school in the county. The superintend
ent SHOULD then give to each applicant who
passes satisfactory examination certi6
cate to that effect. By means Of this com
petitive examination our schools would il
short timo be stocked with competent in
structors. julius.