Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-11-16

sobriety sad Usefulness. We have com.
mitted to our care the early traiains,
both moral and edacationai, OF the chil-
dren OF the State. We must know hoe
strong and iodelibie ore early impress
slons, for how many are there who pass
through life constantly suffering from
influences Of the exaggerated or 6c-
titioos stories and representation 70
which they listened in childhood's ten
der yesrs-in6uenees which maturer
years and ripper judgment cannot errad.
icate, though they may bring a sort of
conviction Of their falsityi
4. How many foolish prejudices and
senseless sntipathies the young receive
from persons with whom they have as
ISOLATED, or from the circumstances bv
which they are surrounded! How
many during the first few years oftheir
existence have formed and fostered
those uncharitable feelings, and those
distorted and unseemly habits which
have tended TO darken and embitter the
whole current Of subsequent life
8. How many men do We see on the
streets and public highways in a state
Of besstly intoxication- ofintellect
and genius in our penite ntiaries-and
even divines fallen from their high
throne of virtue to a contemplate If not
degrading state, which, when traced to
their true causes. are the ultimate re-
suits OF improper or neglected early
training!
6. If.uch are ever the tendencies or re-
suits of injudicious or wrong early train.
ing or OF neglect. IL must seem obvious
that primary schools should assume a
higher position in the public estimation.
In them the young receive their FIRST
and most enduring school impressions.
In them they form habits and views
which will grow with their growth
and strengthen with their strength"
Most truthiully and beautifully has the
poet said
1.-THE mind impossible and soft, with case
| lmbibes and copies what she hears and sees,
And through LIES labyrinth holds fast the clew,
That FIRST instruction gives her false or true
6. The State has committed to US this
important trust-these foundations Of
morality. truth. honesty and good citizen
shlp-and she is and therefore should be
estopped from pleading that Incompetent
cy which she stamps upon US by her
laws. IL now seems 10 me that the
dark shadows OF doubt are receding UNI
der the more genial rays Of reason,
which show to the world that, if We are
/ - t...r ka f,,tnra ,-ar 4
women Of the State, We are capable of
selecting our school officers-at least
our School Commissioners.
Z. Here then | rest my defence of
incompetency and proceed to discuss
the rights and show the advantages that
will result to the profession from a
change in the law granting the teach
ers holding certificates the right to
choose their own School Commission
ers. First as to the right.
| 8. The school authorities are appoint
ed by the Circuit Judges, who know
nothing Of our peculiar trisls-of our
difficulties. They have no care, at least no
fellow feeling with US. In short. this is a
duty. shown by Judge Alvey in rs, TO
be inconsistent with their judiciary
powers. These same Commissioners,
the most supreme and absolute po,rer in
the Slate, have the right, and it is made
their duty by the School law, TO select
an Examiner. The result Of such in
judicious legislation is but too obvious.
We have thereby, nineiy-nine times out
Of hundred, men thrust upon us who
are totally indifferent to our needs
who care not about our prosperty-who
think not Of our advancement
9. Frequently a petty lawyer. an
honest farmer and an INSCRIPTIONS poll
tician usurp, through the strong arm Of
the law, the position oftiie aged, skilled
and proven pedagogue. experience
is knowledge, my cause is self-evident.
10. Where should the appointing
power be transferred Upon whom
conferred' Upon the people! Upon
the people! Tmust again reflect. II
the Judges and School Commissioners
prove ignorant Of our interest, OF what
or who will best carry forward the STAN
dard Of popular education. how is it
expected that the illiterate masses can be
more considerable?
| II. Where then shall this power 60
Where The plain answer is, to the
teachers holding certificates, and the
reverberate bills re-echo to the qualified
teachers OF the State. Then come the
advantageous results. Then the yoke
Of serf-dom is forever thrown off Then
is there an incentive to honorable am
bition. that round in the ladder Of vir-
tue which leads on to the happiest and
most bene6cent results.
IL. Then is there a mutual interest
to call US together mutual welfare to
force US together mutual concern to
bind US together. Let the change come
occasion smiles upon US. The wind
will sit in the shoulder Of the sail ofthe
educational barque and she will bound
into a living and active craft and her
usefulness and importance will be found
in the acclamations Of the public, and
all this rifAouf trouble or erpense.
IS. There can be nothing more alb
surd than 10 expect to elevate ourselves
in public estimation while We are
treated by the State laws as serfs, inca
pable Of and not trustworthy to manage
our own business rs well as the duties
Of our own profession. There can be
no surer way to perpetuatc our present
humble estimation than TO have our du-
ties assigned US and our tasks set US by
men OF other professions, having no fell
low feelings with us and no knowledge
Of our peculiar troubles and difficulties.
IA. On the other hand, it may be ar
gued, that the teachers would not exer-