The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-06-26
For the Standard
"Our Coming Institute" {"


dulgence Mr.. Editor, l wish to make
few remarks, the bearing and tendency
of which are intended to indirectly at
least, apply themselves to the interests
of our schools.
see by our usual harbinger the pro-
gramme, that ere many days the Teach
ers' Association will convene, and we trust
for an important purpose.
From few considerations, | was not
wholly in favor of the time of year select
ed for the convention of the Institute.
but since we are to convene at the time
appointed, let US forget our objections,
and come boldly up to the help of the
{ w against the mighty.
If objections may be urged, advantag 8
may be proposed.
One of the advantages of our coming
session, is its immediate priority to the
beginning of the fall schools, hence grant
ing our teachers an opportunity to equip
themselves for the sponsible work before
them. 1t certainly is the desire of our
Executive Committee to have the teach
ers of cur county present, and especially
those who are engaged for the winter, that
methods and modes may be compared,
ideas exchanged, plans new and interest
ing and of value given and accepted. and
everything contributary to school inter
ests be made the highest aim of such
coming together.
. | expect to be sustained in the asser-
ton, that it is the imperative duty of
every true teacher to fully grid on the
whole armor of his educational warfare
and to wholly be prepared to wage with
zeal and energy the conflict between
knowledge and ignorance. Unless he
does this, he is no longer worthy the
name of teacher. A great deal may be
learned at our Institutes, especially so if
the teachers are active, and manifest by
their presence at least, willingness for
higher attainments in the profession of
which they are the representatives.
That period is happily approximating,
when the true teacher will be the demand
of the people. My observations and ad
vertence to this matter and my experience
among the people, prove conclusively to
me, that competition among our schools,
their ambition to excel, and the pride
they feel in rivaling their contemporaries,
create in the minds of the people an ex-
action from the teacher of nobler qualii
cations. And hesitate not to say, that
these things are right Indeed l am glad
they are beginning to exist
Let the people command with authority
and claim without reserve a more com
plete preparation of the teacher and tn en-
will it be that acceleration and rapid pro-
gress will characterize our institutions of
learning. and we shall rise to more glo-
rious appreciation of the positions we
have assumed. --
The enfranchisement of our youth from
the fetters Of ignorance and illiteracy is a
work of magnitude. No man can con-
template 1t without feeling responsible
ity. Then teachers let US by all available
means prepare to discharge these obliga
tions. When our Institute convenes. let
US lay aside for few days the things
that have heretofore occupied our atten-
ton, and show to the people of our coun-
ty, that we are not altogether self-inter-
ested and miserly but that we have also
at heart the success of our schools, the
advancement of our pupils, and general
dissemination, by the best practical ways
and means, of education throughout our
entire land.
We should study at home, in the Col
lege, in the fields, if recuperating, in our
Institutes, any place and every place
where we may learn more fully of the
great plan of youthful instruction AL
though our ideas may be infnitesimal,
yet drops of water make the mighty
ocean, and should feel that we have done
what we could, and that our labors in the
end will be rewarded. Then teachers,
let US prepare for glorious meetingl Let
us shake off our spathy, and arouse fully
to the work before us. Let US feel that
no antiloquence, or pompous display of
person. will justify our cases, but rather
we will labor for coalition. of effort and
the promotion of youthful intelligence,
the only safeguard of Republican institu-
tions, and finally for the more adequate
and just attainments of our own con-
fraternity. J. W. JOHNSON