Year: 1862

our remarks on sThe war and the schools, =
printed in the Gazette few weeks ago, and
comments on them as follows:


sIhis extract is from the educational column
of late number of the Bedford Gasede,-a
column, by the by, conducted with great spirit
and regularity. 1t was written while it was
supposed the draft would take away very many
teachers; and, though the evil has in measure
passed from the system-stl most Of its sug-
gestions remain seasonable and worthy of atten-
ton. With the exception of one or two passf-
ges, we like its object and tone. The remark,
s.let all who are willing and at all qualified TO
teach, be examined. We may be mistaken, but
are of opinion they will find employment" il
intended to convey the idea that, whether quail
flied or not, such should be enployed-is not
based upon policy that should, at any time,
be adopted Probably such was not the mean-
inc of the writer. No true friend of the system
should be dsheartened by any sudden emergen-
CIV, to the extent of lowering the standard OF
the teachers qualifications to the grade of all
who choose to offer their services in q time of
panic On the contrary, he will enter plain
and emphatic protest against course so suicl-
daI Better, far better to allow a school, here
and there, to remain q month or two without n
teacher, than to insist upon opening them all on
the prescribed day, with such teachers us shall
then offer, whether competent or not


We are no advocates of the lazy mans adj
age something will turn up'--to excuse his
inactivity or neglect of duty. But in this case
we do say, that if a board OF directors have eN-
erted itself to tho utmost, by advertising Tor
teachers in time and by offering as large sala-
ries as the wants Of the schools and the cireum-
stances of the district render proper, and still
fail to fill their list-it will be better for youth
of the district to wait, than to waste the mon
ey of the parents and the time of the children
by the employment of incompetent persons. In
most of such cases something ,cH turn ups"
some desirable teacher acW come along-espe-
cially if the call for his services be rendered n
little louder by the addition of q feU dollars to
the salary; and the result acN justify the delay.


But if not, the other expcdient, recommend
ed and urged by the Educational Editor OF the
Gazette, is the right one. In fact, its compul-
sorry claim to tho notice of directors and its
more general adoption in the southern part of
the State, is one amongst the unlocked for but
beneficial effects of this awful rebellion. If the
war open up to the intelligent females of the
State more, largely than at present, the protcs-
sion Of teaching; if it cause them properly TO
prepare themselves for its duties; if it compel
Observation-Disclosures willingly or unwillingly is q
matter of little moment-to consider their fit
ness and to accept their services; and if it COM
nit the schools to the teaching, and the hearts
and minds of the pupils to the influence of te-
male kindness and tact, when accompanied with
competent professional qualiiications--then will
a great good be effected and the future have at
least one redeeming and enduring blessing to be
grateful for to the convulsion through which the
country is passing, The prejudice against the
female teacher has been one of the most stub
born as well as unfounded, encountered in the
southern portions Of this State. Like other
long settled abuses, perhaps it required, IN the
divine government of the world, the violence OF
war and rebellion and the disturbance OF every