Correspondence.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 398, 16 August 1861, Page 2

Correspondence.

To the Editor ofthe Colonist.

Sir—l was forcibly struck with the reasoning of an American author, who was one of the greatest men of his day—l mean the late Dr. Ghanning—-upon the vexed question of slavery. He observes that the subject has given rise to many... thoughts,, particularly a speech -of Mr. Clay on the subject. In a letter to a friend he says:—

11 shall often be obliged to introduce the name of Mr. Clay» but, as you will see, I regard

him ia this discussion as the representative of a body of men simply, or having given wide circulation to a set of opinions. I have nothing to do with his or their motives'

It is common to ascribe the aims and efforts of politicians to selfish motives ; but why mix up the man with the cause ? In general, we do well to let our oppouenis' motives aloue; we are seldom just to them. Our own motives on such occasions are often worse than those we assail. Besides, our business i 3 with the arguments, not the character of an adversary. A speech is not refuted by imputations, true or false, on the Bpeaker. There is indeed a general presumption against a politician's purity of purpose, but publio men differ in character as much as private; and when a statesman holds an honorable place in his class, aud brings talent to a discussion, he ought to be listened to with impartiality and respect. In the long run truth and justice are aided by nothing so much as by opposition, and by the opposition of those who can give the full strength of the argument on the side of error. In an age of authority and spiritual bondage the opinions of an individual are often important, sometimes deoisive. One voice may determine the judgment of a whole country; but in an age of free discussion little is to be feared from great names on whatever side arrayed. When I hear a man complaining that some cause which he has at heart will be put back for a century by a speech or a book, I suspect his attachment to it is a prejudice that he has no consciousness of the justness or soundness of his own cause. The more discussion the better, if passion and personality are eschewed, and discussion, even if stormy, often divides truth from error—a good never to be expected but iv a free inquiring age (which God speed). Principles not men are what philosophy should examiue and judge. For the sake of truth personalities ought to be shunned; for we serve neither truth, justice, nor morality by imputing corrupt or base motives to those who take a different view of any given subject to themselves. . It would, I think, tend more to the satisfactory settlement of the present unfortunate dispute between the Government and the natives, if the 'we' of the press would eschew all personalities and direct their (present perverted) talents to the elucidation and discussion of the principles which should guide those io authority in their endeavors to avert the horrors of civil war— whether they be Staffordites, or Foxites, or Martinites, or Bishopitea, or Hadfieldites, or any other 'ites'—which never yet conferred peace, contentment, security, or permanent happiness on any party whose only rule of action was personal animosity or the triumph of party prejudice and Quixotic notions of national glory. Yours, &c,

SENEX ALBUS.

To the Editor of the Colonist,

Sir—l am glad to see that there are others as well as myself who consider your criticisms on the state of education in this province as unjust. I think you cannot have had correct information as to the state of all the schools whets, you go so far as to mention the districts which only are deserving af approbation. I am not in a position to judge of the state of every school in tM* province; but I think that if we have such a highly-paid Inspector, the public should know more of what is going on in each school than it does at present; and most certainly if any are in a defective state, ' headquarters' is the place to look to foe a satisfactory reason.

The question then naturally arises—ls an Inspector necessary ? I think it most desirable that schools should be well examined, at least once a quarter, where they are in an efficient state, but still more often where any complaints exist; for I feel confident that in any well conducted school the master will be glad to see the Inspector at any time, more especially if the state of his school i 3 immediately laid before the Central Board, and a prospect afforded him of seeing something like a fair amount of remuneration for a fair amount of work.

Permit me to ask what kind of education is wanted by the Board to be gieen in the country schools ? Is it because we are not in the mother country that a most miserable education is to be given to our children ? If so, when masters are advertised for, let us read—'A small salary given, and only small results expected.' Now I do not mean by this to raise the salaries . all at onoe; no, but let the Inspector examine ■ minutely into the state of every school, give the subject thorough ventilation, and let him see that the education given is of a firstrate stamp, bringicg to the surface all bad practices, and not stioking so fondly to numbers. If the master has all the children, in the district at his school, aud obtains an average of between twenty and thirty, and spends the whole of his time, energy, and health on these, and gives an education which will stand the test of a thorough examination, is the pittance of i>9o per annum— with perhaps a gratuity of Jgs doled out to him —•all that the Government thinks bis services worth ? Yes, .£5, because he has not divided his attention between his school and his store, &c. &c.!

May I ask what sum is it supposed that we are to lay up out of this for old age, or if we are only to expect the comforts of the ' Depot' with its rations? If about thrice this sum will not suffice for the Inspector aud the Town Schoolmaster, how can such a miserable pittance do for the Country Sohoolmaster ? . ,

This Beem3 strange logic. Ido not feel at all surprised that parents grumble at it, if their children go to school and do not get well educated. They do quite right; but let all consider where the fault lies before they attack the system and call it a failure.

Firstly. Is it in the master ? If so, where 13 the Inspector ? Is it not his duty to see that the masters enter heart and soul into tho work ? I admit that he is well qualified to fill the office; but then let him enter heart and soul into it as well—• Example is more powerful than precept.' • Secondly. If the education given is so poor, see where the fault lies; but by all means let us have no, quackery in this most important work.

Finally. Insist upon, having first clas3 work, and give us fai.rplay, and very soon it will be found that the right men are in the right place. Yours, &c,

PEDAGOGUE

August 7th, 1861