The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-08-08
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,N2HLsUo- c.1H 33t
SCHOOL MARNr' REPLIES TO THE ARTI-
'4 Gle OF F"ESCULAPIUS." "
Editor Oraageb,rg Democrat:
Newspaper controversies, in my
opinion, are never very amusing, in
strnctive, or, conducive to amicable
relations between the contestants, be.
CAUSE ttthey are usually led away by
their zeal into disagreeable personali-
ties which have no logical or inciden-
tai connection with the subject under
discussion . It is intensely repugnant
to my feelings to enter the list, and
were I to consult my own wishes, all
topics likely to engender dispute
would be waved; however, at the
earnest request of several gentlemen,
I have reluctantly consented to take
up my pen in defence Of the wrongs,
not the rights, of my fellow-su sufferers,
who think "Esculapius'' should en-
counter an avenging Nemesis to ar
rest him in his dreaded course. But
before stating the cause of grievance,
[ wish it distinctly understood that it
is not myself who originated this
movement, but the injured class who
employ me as their instrument.
I object seriously to be used as an
instrument even in this cause, for, if
man is SO forgetful of all he owes
to woman us to attack her in the pur-
suit of the arduous labors thrust upon
her by his deficiencies, and to at
tempt depreciation of the efforts
eventually resulting in the highest
good to him--why, ! do not wish to
know him, have nothing to say to
him; I do not desire to cross swords
with him give me q foeman worthy
Of my steel. But as others think dir
ferently and are not willing TO pass
over the attack in silence, the pre-
sent disagreeble necessity has been
forced upon me.
The sentiments TO which exception
has been taken, are found embodied
in the remarks Of Esculapius with re-
gard to the incompetency of woman
to fill the position of an educator.
lie says that a "first-class teacher in
the true sense Of the term" cannot bc
hired for the low salaries r&ceiyed i'm
the public schools, and applies the
old saying "poor pay, poor preach"
to this case. Evidently there can be
no objection to his doing SO, as poor
teaching ought to be rewarded in
kind, did he apply the saying to the
entire class, but I understand that he
restricts it to "Eschool marms' who
may be hired for such salaries"
lie certainly y makes a broad state
ment, but he, presume, is prepared
to support it by endless arguments
and numerous illustrations coming
under his own observation. l am
not so fortunate as TO know Mr.. Es-
culapius, but doubtless he is cos
mopolitan WHO has visited the vari-
Gus institutions Of different counties,
and is thoroughly competent to rem
der correct decision upon the sub
ject as the result Of long years of
study and Investigation during which
he compared the respective methods
OF instruction pursued.
Are "the school marms compe-
, tent" he asks. Subtle analogies
sometimes exist between perplexing
polemical questions and simple facts
which very often escape the observa-
tion Of the inquirer after their solu-
ton. Whenever there is reasonable
doubt upon any proposition presented
to our minds, we have the privilege
Of acceptance or rejection respective
ly as it accordsawith our conviction,
or is antagonislic to the tenets prcvi-
ously imbibed. That there is doubt
upon the query propounded by Escu-
lapius, the very existence Of the ques-
tion itself indisputably asserts. If
the superiority of the mind of man,
ortrather, as more applicable here, if
his possession of greater talent for
imparting to others the knowledge
acquired, were an established fact, q
fixed article Of belief in the complex
creed of the world, why disturb the
decisions Of past ages upon topic
already proved a truth to the salts
faction of all Interested, by renewing