The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-07-26
Correspondence Of tho Union TIhEs)
Who Should Teach Our Children

Home, July 22.-Thc College Commence
ments are over and we have heard and read
very high sounding praises from all sides, Of
both Male and Female Institutions. This is
very gratifying indeed. 1t foreshadows
bright future for our section, and goes n
great way toward building up the literary
and scientific institutions Of the land, where
young men and young ladies may be edu-
Gated to take our places, and doubtless better
prepared to fill their allotted stations in life
than their ancestors were. But there are
comparatively few 50 situated no ~ bc aI..o
10 secure the great advantages of College
training. The great mass of our children,
if educated at ALL must he educated in the
Free Schools of the land. What is doing in
that direction? We have all the modern ap-
planccs at hand-the patent desk, the pat
ent pen and inkStand, the maps, the school
houses, &c: and then We have the Prepara-
tory Schools for Teachers, and all the ncccs-
sary machinery, such as School Commits
sioncrs, Trustees, &c, and an almost endless
variety ofschool hooks. But after all, hear
| some old and wise men say, all this will not
make scholars of our children. The teacher,
at last, is the one from whom the children
must obtain their education. But they arc
not all teachers who keep schools. Going TO
college is n nice thing, and often makes
capable teachers, but not always. \
teacher, like preacher. has his ''call.' lie
or she is fitted by nature for that purpose {;
and by training, either i'll college or else
know thoroughly what he proposes to teach
But his knowledge of books or his mental
training is not all that is necessary.
The fact that he has n First Grade cer-
iicate does not make him teacher, in the
true sense of the word. lie must be a man
! Of high tUtrr of character lie should have
the power of complete sclf-control he must
hc broad and liberal in his views, catholic
III his spirit, firm in his discipline, comm,l-
mcativc and easy of approach, afablc and
kind-hcartcd; and above. if not equal to
all, he must lie of irrcproachablc moral
character, that he may leave its impress upon
the character of the children committed TO
his care
The teacher is next in order TO the parent
IN lact. Ill many Instances, more is dcpen-
dcnt upon the teacher, 50 far ms meutal and
moral training of the child is concerned.
than upon the parent, on account, often, of
the ignorance or immortality of the latter
Children ordinarily reflect the prominent
characteristics of teachers at an early day,
no matter how we'll carcd-for and taught at
home Now that your public schools that
'S""' ''o SicaI hlaSS ol our people, are
about to he thrown open n little while, it is
the duty of every officer, and the duty of
every parent, to see that those persons Sc
lccted to instruct the children are what YOU
wish the children to bc when grown up.
dare say there is no parent but that wishes
ms or her children to be equal with the best
III thelr section; then, surely, they will see
I" IT that the very best of gentlemen and
ladies', both morally and mentally. are Sc
cured to teach their children