The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-04-26
Public Free schools.

Editor Colfax Chronicle
A regular public free school system
90 where existed among the ancient
nations. The idea of pubic schools,
as a constituent feature OF govern
ment policy, directly and efficiently
contributing to all the ends OF good
Government, is n. odern idea, dlmiy |
seen. it is true, by the wise and good
of every age, but an idea not com
pretended by those charged with the
administration of affairs. Long sub
seouent to tue Reformation schools
were confined to particular ella ises,
or were the fruit of private enter
prise, and their influence was so re-
stricted as scarcely to produce
ripple upon the dead sea OF igno-
rance which extended almost every
where. Whoever will take the trou-
bic to trace the history OF scholastic
institutions from the commencement
of the Christian era down to the
present time, will discover long and
painful struggle between Ignorance
and learning; the latter being sought
as an end rather than means, and
held as An article of elegant luxury,
proper to be enje yed, not by the com
mon people, but only by the rich and
noble born. Nor was education ex-
tensively cultivated even by these
classes. We look in vain through
ancient records for the idea OF popu-
lar or universal education; that idea
which recognizes the people as con
shutting the strength and importance
of the government, and which seeks
| the true glory Of the Stale in their
happiness, intel gence and general
elevation. France was the first to
lead the van in tie march OF civiliza-
ton and refinement. That govern
ment, as early as 1871, enacted Law
which provided for a system OF 10
struc,ion which should be fiee will
,esuect 10 that knowledge which u
indispensable to all classes.
The theory of free schools, II w
understand it, is to provide the rudl
m.nts of knowledge for every child
SO that they may thereby acquire
taste for. and the means OF subse
qnent improvement. 1t proceed
1 apon the sound political axiom tha
the true glory of a State does no
, consist in the pomp and show of ex
ternal appliances, but in the intell'
IS oence and sound moral character G
b the people. What is called an 'effl
. Gent system," is difficult matter I
es, abhsh. We do not claim that on
present system is perfect; bnt to
q object for which it was establishe
could be more abnndantly obtained
- if more strict attention was paid I
! the enforcement of the law, and ID
employment Of teachers. Ii commo
. school education is TO be lmparte
L Mt all. in mast bo Of such extent an
,r ouality as TO secure the object bad
. view by the State. 1t will not answ'
to commit the mnnlding Of the cha
acter aud the mental training OF tho
Z Who are soon to assume the bigh =
)y snonsib,iit,es of citizenship to u
10 care of Incompetent men. The pra
"A tice of inst alling III the humble OH
OF common school master any ign
u FAMOUS or strolling mendicant, M
of vicious habits and vulgar tastes,
r practice which hitbssto has prevails
H. to a grent extent, is one productl
! of an entire waste Of the public mo
ey. and it is calculated to drgra
b. this class of schools in the estim
he ton Of the public, and to lower ed
1T cation itself in the eyes OF the risl
generation Beside this, the init
tion of vicious example is an e
still more to be dreaded. Ii. thel
=" fore, the scheme Of pubic instrnct'
mt is to be successful. it must be CO
ills mi,ed to men Of good character a
rec component qualifications. The
;oo sponsibility of having competent a
worthy teachers rests with the Boz
ne of Education, and more especia
to the Board Of Examiners. We app
set to these gentlemen TO stand as TAI
9Th fnl guardians the children OF
parish. Do not, we beseech y
o." turn ont a herd of incompef
'er' ieachers upon the country beca
the they are favorite pets or relatives.
ri, Orphan Boz