Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-03-15
Why are so Few Female Tcach'
crs Employed in the i'nbiic
Schools of Mercer:

inc an established opinion that IN shoit
time a lady will not be able 10 secute
a situation IS teacher in the county.
That prophecy is almost literally fulfilled
in the nineteenth century within the
pale of civilization. OF abont so teach
ers whose names are enrolled here, only
four. are females, or about s per cent.
Why this small proportion, is ques-
tion which should be solved and con-
sidered. Is it because no more have
sougheposi,ions We know that others
have applied aud been left ont or turned
out .'in the cold" while the 'lords OF
creation" occupy the places. which might
have been, at least, rs successfully hlied
by the other sex. The teachers occupies
q position similar 10 that Of the mother
and performs duty secondary 10 her,
aud. as il is known in all Christian
counties, that woman possesses quailii-
cations which eminently fit her Tor the
work of directing the young mind! That
il does not always arise from want OF
qualifications is clearly proved, for the
answ er, so often heard when application
is made, is, "Shs may be well qualified,
&c, but | want male teacher; Will
not send to any woman" And why
not add .he unexpressed sentiments,
"Give me male Hottentot-a heather
Chinee-anything on earth but woman.
lie; her cook, and darn, aud patch, at
home, il is all she is tit for. These GER
tainly are accomplishments in which
every woman should he an adept; but it
is as absurd 20 think that she can be as
useful and can earn livelihood by
cooking and serving, rs il is, that every
man can split rails for living.
Perhaps woman has not the moral
courage to nflct corporal punishment
upon those little fragile tender beings,
! entrusted for time, 10 her care; nor
the main strength TO chastise those largo
rude boys, who expect nothing but tho
rod, whose hearts have never been
reached by Kindness, but are soured by
frowrs and kicks. Itshe should attempt
reasoning and gentle reproof-it is an
! innovation.
To the unfortunate females, who are
! forced to go into the cold uncharl,able
world, then, TO seek the sustenance
Necessary to preserve their own lives
and perhaps those of dear ones depend
ent upon them, it does seem il is mis-
fortune to be n woman. This crime Of
which so many of us unblushingly, and
without regret, plead guilty, seems more
atrocious than that of which Mr.. Fit
was once accused, he could hope that
time would erase 'the crime Of being a
Young man. but woman can not so
hope. Years may roll their rough
wheels on and on, leaving deep furrows
on the once smooth brow, the locks may
be withered, and the eyes grow dim,
and she is still woman-a woman
whose heart has been soitened by years
OF trials and cares, yet the crime Is even
greater for her helplessness, with tho
ignorant and unrefined.
There are many noble, pure spirited
champions of woman's influence among
us, and these are men of mental and
moral culture. Let ignorance aud super
stition tn en- be driven from the land by
the light of learning, the minds OF the
people enlightened and refined, and wo
man will occupy her true position; her
labor then will be appreciated, and the
world will be wiser aud better. This
enlightenment must partly bS accom-
plisbed by these teachers They, in q
measure, hold the plastic minds Of tho
youth in their hands TO mould az they
will; the impressions formed will never
be effaced. If the mind is the soul, what
n responsibility. They are trimming tho
immortal part OF man. There is some
thing noble and grand aud glorious in
this work which, while it expands the
mind of the pupil, also enables the soul
of the teacher, elevatiDg both above
prejudice, selisbness and narow'mind-
edness. att ''as