Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-09-01
TuE Peoples co,.,,.ars.
Thoughts aud Suggestions Uoncerniog tho
Public schools

AuoukuNH huN SukgesttOus CUnCerning tho
Public schools
The unusual activity in the book stores
reminds us Of the opening of tho public
schools next Monday. An ovont of tho
greatest Importance to this community, as
well from patriotic as philanthropio
standpoint. No American institution Is
moro essential to the we'll being aud per-
petnation OF truo democracy than this;
none tends moro to render our heterC zen
Gus population composed OF clements from
all the nations of the earth ono homogen
GUS nation to break down the divisions
arising from diverse religious systems, aud
tho distinctions originating in differences
of wealth and social position-iu short, to
make 20 pluribus unum," ono out of the
many.
Here wo have the bost kind Of oommun
ism, n communism Thought intelligence,
language and opportunity to rise intellec-
tnally according to natural ability, to
drink from the fountain Of knowledge in
exact proportion to ones thirst aud ca
pacity to receive, and freedom to use
what has been acquired for ones own AL
vantage, which nevertheless rebounds to
tho welfare OF tho entire body polite
When the ancient Roman legious marched
to the frontier to meet the enemy the
venerable Senate especially exhortcd their
commander to SEQ toit 4" No quid detri.
menti respublca capiat;" 80 would we say
to-day, Mt the opening oi a two months
campaign, to those in charge of our
peoples colleges" SEQ to it "no quid
dotrmouti respublioa oapat'-that tho re.
public receive no injury. But wc imagine
the exhortation ought rather To bs al
dressed to tho parents at homo and to
society in general for our teachers, as q
body, are both faithful and competent, and
display generous enthusiasm in the
cause of education. Many of them toll
early and late denying self and thinking
only OF the ways aud means to promote
their pupils progress. Probably the best
way III which parents can render aid to
the teachers, and thus promote tho
cause of education, is to regard
them not "a the enemies of their
children, who must be watched and
prevented from harming them, but as
their friends who are seeking to train and
elevate them, to make OF them refined and
intelligent men aud women, not indeed by
humoring them and letting them do rs
they please, but by restraining them, by
teaching thcm to deny self. by creating in
| them habits of cheerful obedience. industry
and application to study Much has been
Salu Ol tue uuty OF teaClerS To aCQualut
themselves with the nature and dis
position as well ~ the surround
ings of their pupils, but the best OPP
portuniLies to do 50 are often denied. How
rarely do people invite the teachers to
their homes, how little do they endeavor
TO create community Of feeling between
themselves and those who have charge OF
their little ones, how seldom do they 90
out of their way tn show their appreciation
Of the special efforts made by the teachers
on behalf of their children.
We have no doubt that the hearts of the
ladies and gentlemen in charge of ouI
schools oan DO touched by evidences OF
gratitude and esteem, that when sc
touched they will be filed with new zeal
and that their efforts will meet with a
more favorable response from such pupils
| Much can be done, too, by providing n,
once and cheerfully the necessary book,
and stationery, and speaking often in tn,
presence of the children of tho great ad
vantages Of q good education.
For havirg heard
| " How chaimIng Il divine Philosophy
| Not harsh and Grabbed, ~ dull fools suppose =
| But mustcai ~ Il Apollo's lutte,
| And "A perpduhl least of nectarod sweets,
| where no crude suriGit rCign-;'
they will become anxious to learn and viii
look on the teacher not as a taskmaster o.
whom advantage must be taken whenever
possible, but rs helper and friend whose
counsel and assistance is beyond price.