The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-03-24

940? How many reach the Grammar
SCHOOL, Have we really improved in gen.
eral education2 Improved in thought and
understandings with all thy gettings,
get Understandings"
Is it any wonder, under these CirCum.
stances, that Richard Grant White and
others are Clamoring against the public
school systemP A writer in the North
Americaa Review for April points to their
cost, and says "The belief is growing
day by day that the public schools, as
now constituted, are failures" tits true
this writer's great objection is they are
not "Christian" schools, his idea of a
"Christian" school being one in which
his dogmas shall be taught. The idea Of
our laws in reference to schools, are, that
the youth shall be taught useful knowl-
edge, shall be indicted into the realm Of
thought, that they can think and rea
son each for himself. The trouble, as we
see it, is, the youth do not remain long
enough at school to receive these bene-
fits. The right of private judgment is the
right of each Citiz IN, hence the impor-
ia ce of mental training that they may
seek knowledge, investigate and judge,
Our aim has been in these school ar
ticles to attract public attention to serious,
not to say alar ming defects in our Union
school system. Remember our Union
school system is on the graded plan,
sort of college plan. Thirty years ago,
when the system was being advocated
and established, much was claimed for
graded schools. But it would seem tho
pupils are graded out OF school long before
they should graduate.
There IS bill now before the Lagisla.
ture, the object of which is to introduce
the same graded system into the country
townships, and have county superin'
tendents to direct and control, Should
the bill become a law, we hope the
country youth will be more generally
prof.ed in every way than our town
children are,
In a letter to the Commissioner of
Schools, written February H. 1881, Pres
ident II .lsdale, of Hiram College, says;
II do not believe that there is any
public money expended in the country
that is expended so inconsiderately, not
to say recklessly, as the school money"
This is certainly strong language; and
coming from a public educator Of such
ability and experience as President
Hnsdale, it ought to and will command
attention.
Public Schools are designed for all the
youth, not for a few. This is the intent
of the law, and males as we'll as females,
The aim of the earnest teacher is to
make the school room 80 pleasant and
attractive that the pupils will be anxious
to attend and fearful of losing a day. Such
teacher will smoothe the ascent up the
hill of science, 80 that the votaries shall
fad nothing but perpetual delight. The
pupils will not be required to get their
hard lessons at home, where perhaps
they can fad no h lip. The true teacher
is sure staff to assist the pupil and
point the way when help is needed.
Nothing is so discouragipg to a pupil as
to have no halp within reach. when a
little assistance would send him on his
way rejoicing. Charmingly does the poet
say:
Delightful task to rear the tender thought;
To leach the young idea how to shoot;
To pour the fresh instruction DER the mind;
To breathe tn enlivening spirit and to tix
The generous purpose ia the youthful beast