Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-10-23
The Normal Schools and Univer.
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The supposition is reasonable that
every true friend of Education is q
friend of the Normal Schools and the
University. $50
How can person be . friend of the
Free Schools and be an enemy to the
Normal Schools or the University?
They are all connected in extending
education--in enlightening the mind
and understanding and in preparing for
future usefulness the rising generation.
The Common Schools taking in charge
children from the time they are six
years old and fosters their education un-
til they are twenty-one. These schools
are required to be kept in operation
four months during the year.
All classes, sexes, &c., have access to
the Common Schools and all may re-
ceive 3 good primary education through
this source. The Common Schools are
proving great blessing, and it is fond.
ly hoped by further development, all
opposition to the will find quietus-
The Normal Schools are u higher Or
der, for intellectual Improvement De
signed to train and fully prepare young
men and women for the responsible and
laudable position of Teachers in the
Common Schools. - -
This is progressive age. Old fogy.
ism has departed from this enlightened
country; and now the art of teaching is
regarded as paramount to the requisite
literary attainments. All have to Ia
ment over lack of sufficient number
of competent teachers. We necessarily
look to the Normal Schools to supply
this deficiency, and overcome this diff
Guilty; and with fostering care, wise leg
islation, and judicious management, a
few years patience will manifest the
gratifying fact, that the Normal Schools
have done for West Virginia what tLey
have done for the Eastern, Central and
Western States, furnished an ample
number of efficient teachers.
Normal Schools were found to be
necessary, and have proven success in
all the States where they have been in
operation length of time. A gentle
man from California informed me q
short time since, that the teachers from
the Normal Schools in that State were
held in such high repute that many OF
the older teachers had been induced to
change their place of teachers for that
of pupil, and undergo for term q
course of Normal training, to be better
prepared to discharge their duties as
public instructors. =.
Many persons attend the Normal
Schools, who are not State students.
They desire to prepare themselves for
higher or University course of study.
We look upon the University Of w.
Virginia as the focus of Education for
the State aud West Nirginians, We view
it with pride, and are hopeful of its sue
cess.-We ardently desire its prosperity;
but we frankly confess that we regard
the Normal Schools vastly more essen
tial to the advancement of education
among the masses of the people Of the
State, and the University. If economy
demands, Gin order to save few thou
sand dollars) a discontinuance of the
Normal Schools, in all conscience the
University must meet the same fate.
Again, if the Normal Schools are un-
necessary, and can be dispensed with,
why have a Normal department in the
University This is inconsistent, ard
demands consideration.
The friends of education as a whole
the friends of the Normal Schools,
and the University-should be united
and not occupy an;agonistic positions.
"United we stand-divided we fall" y
However, if the friends of the Uni
versity oppose the Normal Schools as
some of the members of the Legislature
did last winter, they may expect, when
asking an appropriation, to find the
amount greatly curtailed by their own
injudicious act.
We don't approve the law of retalia-
ton; but "self preservation is said to be
the first law Of natures" and if my enc
my sinks me, and can lay hold Of him,
he may anticipate a bed at the bottom
also. '.t.
Oct. IL, 1875. SourH-WEsr.