New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-05
81 Nassau-st., Ne,c- York, Jan. 3.
THE NEED OF MORAL TRAINING IN
2. SCHOOLS
the Edttor or The Trioume

To the Edttor or TIE Tribune.
SIR Mr.. Herbert Spencer's remark ON our
universal delusion about education as panacea LOT
political evils" reported in THE TRIBUNE, has DOUBT
not confirmed the opinion which many OF your Thought
full readers have long entertained regarding the made
quacy of education, ordinarily understood, in lifting
youth for the duties and responsibilities OF fe IL
would be difficult to dissuade the average American
the belief that besides head he is IN possession
of heart and conscience. Why, then, snoud the
intellectual faculties only Of the embryo citizen "e cui'
vatedl If mature people need weekly lessons on thei
moral and lgous dates, much more, opine DO those
whose passions Just begr ming 10 develop ana whose
principles If they are have any, being formed Tor
life require assistance In adopting those Safeguards
which will make them better citizens and neighbors tha
they otherwise would be. 1 cannot see any escape
therefore, from the necessity OF moral ana regous MS
well as intellectual culture II desire worthy members
OF the body polite in the future by this do not mean
that the parents rghtfu prerogatve in the selection OF
teachers should be interfered with Let all who are
agreed as to the principles they wish incucated unite III
establishing a school, In the same way that they "ou"
unite any other enterprise of vital Importance ana let
others differently minded do likewise. 1t requires no
argument to prove each educate its own better
than another This will afford the parent some guarantee
that the influences brought to bear during tDe ioS ~
zeal period of his chds existence wii DC h ~ the
his highest moral and spiritual wel-Deing linen 1o
State still evics tax for educatonal purposes,
divided pro rata among the oenoa 9 to certain
intellectual standard determined by the Government
All bodies would then have incentive TO pr0uuce iue
best fruits their respective systems WOud not .is
he the fairest and most efectua way 10 securo Eot
the r,iDg generation, and as preyenion ap
better than cure, save large expenditure III fii'''
reformatOres and police courtsl IL, -. al ,,,o.
But NAV be met With the exclamation, leave an Iht
matter TO Sunday schools! am persuaded hoWeNcI'
that most Obseryant parents will agree Win me III say
ing that constant care alone will prevent the FORMATION
of habits of Thought and life that vtiate the Ieage
sons received teachers little advanced Deyohu he
pupils in competency. -, .,too. ho,.o
When | say that my opinions. on this subject nave
been formed after careful comparison OF the eHec OF
hc respective systems children OF foreign parctage
in different cities. think your readers VIII say nave
subjected them crucial test In the one case lnc
pupils were educated largely under the religious 0res
and were generally noted for their modesty intelligence
and good behavior in the other they were Wholly daan
i'm the public schools and distinguished as Dod
for the contrary traits and confidently appeal 10 al
having a similar experience to attest the truth Oh my
assertion. ,r,-.. .....,,io
Let US seek not only 10 make our children capable
business men but good, conscientious citizens az Wen
IL not our billiards whom we are indebted TOT Tue
Gigantic frauds dealcatiOns and other crimes now 50
prevalent Above ALL let not secar1an Jcalousies ne
Drive our offspring OF what they justly claim NJ our
hands-an education Of their whole nature moral ana
spiritual as well intellectual on tins rather tnnp s on
merely material civilization depends the future wenare
of the Republic. ~ hhIHi0A''
Taunton, Mass, Dec p, 1887