Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-01-15

q
the section of the ladder which compasses
what is called common school branches,
meets the practical demands of life. Since
the division is so clearly marked as to give
each distinctive work and prescribed
sphe-e we may well consider them in their
relations to each other.
We claim for colleges parental infu-
ence upon the common schools. This in
fluence is by large portion of Western
people reluctantly admitted. The opera
ton, they insist, is a reverse one,-that of
common schools upon colleges. So that if
! the school houses he either unbuilt OF
empty colleges will be left chiefly without
students or endowments. This important
agency of the primary in behalf of the
higher institutions IS very Justly claimed.
they are in truth to the colleges living,
feeding springs. They first assist to plant,
prompt, invigorate them, and then furnish
material to be wrought into forms of beau
ty and usefulness. But while these per-
sons are right in their impressions of the
radical and indispensable influence of pri-
mary schools, they are egregiously wrong
in denying the reflex influence of colleges
upon these primary institutions. The col
leges elaborate and ripen seed for germina
tion and life upon the bosom of the COM
mon mind. They create light and heat to
animate and guide all incipient instruc-
tion. As well cut Off the gas reservoir
which illuminates city, OF extinguish
suns in the midst of their opaqe orbs as to
put out colleges in the midst of common
schools
Their first effect in favor of these
juvenile institutions is TO produce an ap-
probation and desire for education among
the mass of the population. Negligence
and indifference in respect TO all intel
lectual conditions are inevitably incident
TO new countries. The first business of
the western emigrant is TO protect himself
from the elements and provide his daily
bread, and then afterwards, fer a time, the
DpBdistlioh 10 slaAcef S,hcoA' IA
convenient But even after the railroads
come along and dump the towns and cities
along their route at convenient distances,
rs is the present manner of populating
Territories, still the masses are bent on
material prosperity and the business ad-
vantages Of new countries
n, q. ;cJ,exacoalla that o,r.r, aJ,.a
tional feeling, as life, as a passion, as a
stirring impulse, pervade the community.
Mental culture must be a family ambition
"a neighborhood pride-a universal emu
lation. 1t must become a habit. an ex-
pectation, prerequisite element of social
organization, condition of social position.
Colleges can greatly assist in the pro-
duction Of this state of things. If the
spirit of education fingers at all among
the people they car e'olve, fan, instruct it.
A part Of their power is exerted upon the
simple principle of that commendable
rivalry which springs up in the breast
when one sees an excellence superior to
his own. Unreached eminences, unattain-
ed advantages are instantly valued and
desired on being laid fairly before the pop
ular mind. 1t is the first and strongest
impulse of man. from infancy upward, to
push himself into all the visible places
which are above him, especially into ali
the places where he sees others in actual
possession of superiority and Importance
The grand vocation of colleges is to plant
over the face Of society men of developed,
enriched, refined, influential minds. These
will be known and read of all men. They
will have the effect of a charm upon vigil
liant, susceptible community. A zeal, hope.
a stern unfaltering purpose will be kindled
which nothing can resiss. In the hearts
of fathers, mothers. sons and daughters
will arise the inquiry Is ignorance all
that lies between us and these possessions,
prerogatives and distinctions? If so the
chasm shall be bridged. Is it true that
education can conduct us and advance us
to them all? No longer dwell we and our
families here linked to these inferiorities,
crushed under this intellectual poverty.
Up, let rs build school houses, plant
schools, call mssters who can inspire and
sustain our aspirations; let us furnish
books, gather the children. inspire the
youth, evolve, uplift the population.
A more direct and immediate influence
of the educated whom the colleges plant
among the people is exsrted by them as
friends and patrons OF all educational
means and agencies, such Is the common
schools, the libraries, lectures. Their
private suggestions, their efforts through
the press thus produce in single year
more spirit, action and accomplishment in
behalf Of common schools than . quarter
century would witness in their absence.
They can be confidently appealed in be- |
half Of school houssA proper furniture
and general appliances and appointments. |
Their influence viii secure wise leGislators. |
who will Be inteliigently susceptible to
sound Arguments on text book questions |
and other matters of common school
legialation. To the necessity Of brineine
such influence to bear upon . COM
munity in order TO saccea and thrift in |
primary education every progressive
teacher can bear witness
If schools. juvenile instruction, mental