Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-17
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

| THE NORMAL SCHOOL,.
A Normal School held in a locality acts
for education pretty much like Confer
ence or Synod of religious body, in st i i
ring up an interest already exis ting, nr
creating one that did not exist. The on
now being held in Stauuton will have that
effect Oh this locality, that is to say, it
will increase the interest that has always
existed here. 1t will certainly enlarge
the views Of our people about the magni-
tude Of the educational work now being
carried on in the State, and, exciting our
surprise, give US pride in the fact that we
have share, and goodly share too, 10
it, 1t gives additional confidence to see
the large number of young people engaged
in it, bright young men and women in
whose minds there is no callous resis-
lance to a new idea and who turn to pro-
gress as naturally as flowers turn to the
| light and heat of the sun. Somehow we
oldsters can hardly recollect the time that
we were taught by young people. To our
memory all the teachers of our youth
were specialized, gray of head and sour of
temper 1t must have been that in the old
times in Virginia, men and women were
put to teaching for the most part when
they were past usefulness in any other
department of activity. Say that age,
when the faithful family draft horse is
turned out to stumble through scanty pas
lures. In those days, teaching had not
the dignity of profession, but occupied
the doubtful position of dernier resort,
which was accepted after life's itful
fever had burned away most of those
| gracious attributes which make us well
come in the world. One need not have
been specially wicked boy to call to
mind sort of unsympathetic sourness
and unreasonable pugnacity as the distin-
gushing traits of the Virginia teachers
were Ignorant is certain. the statement
being tempered, if it may be said to be
tempered. by worked down clergymen who
had been turned out to Craze by long
suffering congregations. who found that
unlike wine their spiritual guide had not
| itude it ought to be with the little ones of
| this day that they were born later, and
| find teaching a recognized profession,
| with NOrmals established to teach teach
| ing, instead of having lived in those days
when boys and girls were taught by men
and women who often knew little more
of teaching than the children themselves.
| We old boys of this day have much to for.
give the past for.
It IS Staunton's good fortune too, to
have its first Normal in such proficient
hands as it is. The head of it, Prof.
Chas. FL. Winston, is man Of marked
ability, with the indispensable addition of
being man Of progress, new ideas, and
| that Heaven sent faculty-for it is GER
tainly gift which can be acquired by no
study or art-of throwing off the past as
something to be shed at regular intervals
in order to take unencumbered steps for
ward. From his record, from the hearty
| appetite he shows for his occupation, and
from his Observation-Disclosures, he seems
| to be The man for such work. For Prof.
u.
We have warm side. having long ago
| sought to aid him in a rebellion he got UP
against the classics, as ab5orbents of the
time and talent of youth, which might be
put to better and more profitable use.-
He young man of independent thought :.
and courageous purpose to emancipale
the GENERATION in which he lives from the
domination of old ideas, which could not
stand alone if not supported by the dust
of ages which has accumulated on them
Prof Fcx, another conductor of the
Normal, has the highest reputation in
Richmond. in system Of schools which
DR.. Sears said be would not hesitate TO
compare with those of Boston for excel.
lence.
1t is to be hoped-nay we are certain
they will-that our citizens will make it a
point to render the visit of the teachers
who attend, socially pleasant. We must
remember first who they are, especially
the younger portion of them. They hold
their places precisely on the same terms
that our own sons and daughters hold
similar places, and entered upon their
work with the same high and conscienti-
Gus motives. We must try and make the
month as pleasant fer them as we would
hope other communities to do for our own
children who attend Normals elsewhere.
1t is truly said that country town is eby
OF strangers; let US try and show them
that Stanton in this respect is not q
country town. Let our people make and
cultivate their acquaintance. They have
come not for holiday but for good
deal of laborious work; but in the inter
walls of this work there will be many CD. |
portunities to show them some Of these
little attentions which are SO easy to rem
der and yet go 30 far to make time pass
pleasan tly.
County Conventions. as they have usually |
been manipulated are disgrace to say moth |
ing of the insult that is offered to all lovers
of unrestrained liberty and justice A packed
Convention certainly does not voice the senti-
ment of the people. Hence the assertion that
County Conventions ought to be dispensed
with, and let even the humblest voter be heard