Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-11-05
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W. E. PARKER. Editor ,


so many IHttlllRenC races, VIII make this
assertion, that there Is not an American
here-let him receive that name either by
birth or by adoption-who does not love
this, our common county, for we believe
that he who loves not his country. can
love nothing" And you will find him
looking forward into the future with a
piercing and hopeful gaze; but what does
he expect to see? Is it continuation of
the present state of society, with the black
cloud Of corruption in all its forms sweep
ing over our land, carrying destruction
and death into so many households and
communities We think not. 1t is not
common occurrence to find person
who will predict such future for our
nation. We all HDe in the future. We
are too apt to sit idly in the midst of
present evil, waiting for the hurricane to
pass by instead of doing something to
lessen the possibility of damage. Instead
OF shielding the young and tender plants
from the fury of the storm, so as to keep
them upright, it is more frequently the
case they are left unprotected, or, in other
words, they are permitted to sow their
wild oats, and the result Is imperf Elections
in future life. Some people think it is
all proper and right for yoatng folks to be
wild, and will make such remarks as these:
" Young folks will be young" "You
can't expect to see old heads on young
shoulders. Now, tho we believe this IS
proper to certain extent, we do think a
multitude OF sins are excused by parents
and teachers on the plea of youth. We
should impress upon the minds of the
rising generation that punishment sooner
or later follows in the train of violated
law, and that no person who violates the
moral law shall be exempt from its penal-
ties.
Since such is the case, how careful zoe
should be lest by word or act We bring
sorrow or misery upon some of our fellow
beings As the impressions made on the
mind in its early years mould the whole
character OF ON individual, so the teaching
received by the youth of America toretells
the future of the nation. 1t becomes us.
then, asl 1--WE go out in the world as teachers
AS leaders of SO many minds-to weigh
well these matters, and carefully consider
the amount of responsibility which we
assume, or which devolve upon us.
Those who have preceded us have &C
complished much, but much more is re-
quired OF us, because we are stronger and
have the benefit of their experience. The
weight has been increased, but so has the
power in corresponding ratio.
The greatest pride of America is, and
always has been, her government. That
1t is which has caused her to shine among
the other nations of the earth like star
OF the first magnitude; and where do or
should the people receive their republican
ideas and be taught to live in government?
Is it with limbs chained and behind iron
bars? A more pleasant and agreeable
place is the schoolroom. If people would
only realize this and send their children
to school lmbued with disposition to be
disciplined, it would be great help to the
teacher. 1t is nice little comparison to
compare school to State, say for in
stance school isl miniature state, a little
commonwealth where the teacher has, or
should have, supreme power, subject to
no one but the person or persons from
whom he receives his appointment to his
position. Here we find combined and
vested in one person the three branches of
government as we find them in our civil
government: legislative, judicial and exc
cutive. And that one person is the teach
er. As has been said by writer on
education, on account of this, our exalted
position, many things are expected of US
by some people. They will say we should
be learned, scise, careful, prudent, an,ia5le,
gentle, firm, socia5le, .forbeaing, long
suffering, impartial, charitable, disigent,
attentioe, studious, energetic, polite,
healthy, omniscient, aud omnipresent.
They seem to have overlooked the fact
that we are only human beings Of course
these expectations are never realized and
the result is dissatisfaction, which is a
heavy clog to the upward progress of the
teachers. If our patrons would only real
ize that our Judgment is of as much value
to us as their judgment is to them: Be
charitable, as they require us to be. The
distinguishing marks of good society are
morality, intelligence, obedience to law
and politeness, Consequently these are
the topics that should be considered in
the schOol-room. To teach morality, it is
first necessary that the teacher should be
moral person, for it is said "a good
man out of the good treasures of his
heart bringeth forth good things; and an
evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth
forth evil" Also, "By their fruits We
shall know them" Immoralities in school
are exhibited In many ways, such as pro-
family, immodest and unchaste language,
the wilful destruction of school property,
and the DETACHMENT of school furniture
and premises. Here alone there is wide
field for labor. Cultivate in our youth
habits of neatness, and you will not pass
into our public buildings to find the walls
covered with pencil marks, the floors
Uttered with stubs of cigars, peanut shells,
apple pairing, pieces of paper, and other
rubbish Teach them daily lessons in
total abstinence and instjl into their minds
love for pure thoughts and chaste Ian
guage, then, after all this has been accom-
plished, you may begin to look for the
millennium. Since we have already spoken
of law in the school-room, we will say a
few words about politeness. Many are
the opportunities presented to US where
word to some little, blght-eyed boy or
girl would tone down a rough edge and
make them appear better; and these les
sons, be assured, will always be remem-
bered. Let us teach them that the basis
of true politeness is the Golden Rule, and