The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-15
SCHOOE DISCIPLINE.

1lcssrs. Editors: AS tic contrary
has been asserted, 1 desire to say that
| think your demand for the warrant Of
the rod in the school-room was legiti-
mate and entirely proper. This initia-
tory move entities you 70 the thanks of
all reasoning men; it entities you to
the thanks Of the apostles Of this rude
and ruthless, ,cxpcdient, fol IL has been
under the Shadow of suspicion for
some time, and they should be glad of
All opportunity to vindicatc it. It is
offered By its advocates and tolerated
by the public as al instrument of cui-
ttre. If it bo shown to lie ill-adaptcd
to this function, it must, sooner or
later, join tho denominations of pubic
grievances. If it's adaptation be Shown
to be complete, then will it stand for
tilted by its own merits. But submit
that prccedents will not avail to show
this; ;eKory evil that ever embittered
the happiness OF man had it's long train
Of these. Change is truly tho law of
all things, and progress is not aii illu-
sion The life Of Solomon will not be
accepted rs the headlight of this gen.
Grafton. Many Of his distinguished
customs lave been rcpudiated; many
others, notably among them the rod,
which he prescribed for the back of tic
Unfortunate man who. didu,t como
from the hands Of his Creator with q
great intellect like his own, will share
the same fate. At Eto,i and Rugby,
and also in the town OF Wmnsboro, it
is admitted that the. birch Iiily iiafYe
been freely used, but we ,Ruow that
men and institutions will live and rem
der valuable service in spite Of Harm
ful restrictions, and Consequently this
proves nothing. We oWe lio respect
to that conclusion which comes to us
without premises, even though it has
been adopted by teachers convention.
l 90 not sec what it has to do with a
discussion like this; but as the matter
OF divorce has been brought in,
would say let those. who cal. think
that men and women continue in the
marriage relation only because the law
says they must. I, for one, reflise to
believe in any such depth OF human
dcpravity. tThe Legislature is not
onr God upon earth:" but leaving tho
inconclusive arguments which are urged
! in support Of this scini-savagc method
OF discipline, lot us observe the case as
1T now stands: A hard-natured boy
is to be humanized; lis to havo his
mental facilities ,mfoldcd; is to have
tho germ of virtue that is in him devcl-
epcd; and to this end it IS proposed to
beat him with stick. He is to SroW
up freeman, and this is to fit him to
live among the freel Is. there any
relation between means and end Which
tho mind OF man can perccive? Sup
pose his destination Wcl'e abiect slave
ry, what changes .iif. this discipline
would tho man of foresight rccom-
mcnd' For tho lfttle breach of order
n the back Of your sclrool-roon, Mr..
Schoool-master, it will doubtless be
most. convenient to give TINT boy q
1to,ggIig; It silences him, and that is
all right, say you. But like many
other things ,Nou say, wo tell You it is
all wrong: You regulate Ills conduct
perhaps, 1t is truej bgt is. THE more
Important than his character? Is keep
Ing order tho ultimate achievement in
school teachingY. If you Gun convi,ce
tho boys parents that it is, tl,oy will
mall probability prefer to undertake
that task with him ut home, and you
viii be elected to go your way in peace.
or course, 1t is important to keep
order, but the whole scheme ST educa-
ton is not embraced III; this, and the
matter to. be noted Isl that there arc
other higher ends which must be at
tho same time regarded. The charac-
ter OF tho child is formed at home aud
at school moral and intellectual tlcvcl-
opmcnt gohand in ,5and, and 6lo,os,
/ insist, will not show to untutorcd
minds. the beauty TINT there is in vii-
tue. Men are more national In tho
training of their animals than their!
clhildren; the &pplfoahon or The, stick,
they have learned, j niaKcs the former
Vicious, and theil agents are goieTally
,ilfllstructGd Y s;I to leave 1t aside. The
ieachef Itas' caiinotbe too often rcinlnded