The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-01-26
For THE HERALD.
Schools and Teachers.

stitute', though in some degree mask
I'd in irony.
We, zoo, write Institute with en-
phasis in the catalogue of means for
promoting the interests Of education !;
out one or the other of them had a
deal to say about teaching being made
a stepping stone.
We are glad that the numbers con-
tanning their articles are not before US,
and We have forgotten which one
harped on the ''steppiug stune - for
the fate of Smike would make US ner-
yous of the one and we might not rid
US of the other as did Bone Bones
with his pumpkin. Though we would
foster the Institute We will not pass
The Stepping Stone"
Why is the school room of an old
field school made stepping stone to
other professions ? Does any interest
suffer by it? Is it not, under the
circumstances that we shall show,
rather benefit to all Interests?
The great mass of the people never
have had, and none need hope or wish
to see them have, more than the ele-
ments of o scholastic education. In
the first place it is impossible they
will not receive it. In tie second
place it can not be desired by the most
benevolent fanatic. 1t would not be
conducive to their prosperity and hap
piness. Were it feasible and costless
to carry the great mass of the people
through several years in the higher
branches now taught in the currieu-
luns Of our high schools and colleges,
we in kindness to them would protest
against it. Possibly the system OF
teaching may be altered so as to change
US in oar opinion. We are not able
to suggest that alteration. The great
bulk of the people must from necessi'
ty and choice and for happiness labor
at the plough and hoe, the forge and
work bench. The tendency Of a thor.
ough scholastic training in our schools
is to disqualify the recipient both by
taste and habits for these pursuits.
We are an enthusiast for popular edu-
cation to degree.
The elementary books and branches
should be thoroughly understood by
all, even to the most abject. Means
adequate to this result should be pro-
vided aud the St .te should foot the
bill.
But don't try to make water run up
bill. The frog could not swell up to
the size of the OK. Do not try to
change the tastes when those tastes
are natural, healthy and lead to hap
piress. After the me 'ses have re-
ceived the. elements of scholarship, if
you can not give them science and art
iu the vocation their tastes and neces
stiles lead to; if you can not cultivate
them to industry and patience, dill
gence and perseverance, stop tight
there. 1t matters only little to the
mechanic or husbaudman whether he
can demonstrate Euclid or conjagate
the Greek verb. We know there are
those who cavil at au education made
means to special end. They want it
as expansive as the universe. That is
well and true, but not for the mass
They have neither such leisure, ability
nor taste. In giving the elements spe-
cial geuius and talent will manifest.
These rarer stones will find their way to
the lapidaries in our colleges and thus
those lofty sciences which have been
evolved and fostered by the most illus
trious lives, and which through the
most intricate labyrinths Of thought
have given siuple rules to mankind,
will be preserved and improved.
Is any great degree Of talent neces-
sary to teach these elementary bran
es, viz: Orthography, reading, wri-
ting, aud the simplest combination Of
numbers? Are they not principally
taught by rote or memory? Are there
sufficient difficulties to surmount, or
do they offer sufficient honors and
emoluments to command professionally
the best talents fo. more than a few
years? We mean the old field school
teacher; what is the fate of him who
selects this as profession? Partly
from its simpleness and partly from
the poverty aud spasseness of our pop
ulation the common pedagogue barely
gets a good living for himself and
family. There may be, too, some want
Of appreciation in it, but We will say
nothing Of that as men do not love to
be told of their faults. After a few
years of his zenith the teacher be-
comes old-fashioued, inefficient, obso-