The Gazette

Just as the twig is bent, the tree will

IT is devoutly to be wished that the scourge and ferula might be banished from the schools of the United States.

Scourging the back will neither enlighten the head, nor mend the heart: Such discipline may be necessary for those who are destined to be the minions of despotic masters; but is very ill adapted to the free born children of America.

The sagacious Romans considered the scourge as the base badge of servility, and expressly prohibited, by law, the scourging of a Roman citizen. Children of severe parents, who have been trained up by the discipline of hard blows, are often seen to be either servile in their dispositions, or brutal in their behavior, And, when a boy in school undergoes the discipline of the lash, and in the presence too of his companions of either sex, whose esteem he wishes to cultivate, it either fills him with bitter resentment, or debases his spirit: and he loses an invaluable portion of his ambition and virtue.— But the scourge is necessary for the support of proper order in school: without this instrument of terror a master would lose his authority. No such thing. The only sure basis of authority in a master is the esteem and affection of his pupils. In the Moravian school at Bethlehem, the sound of the lash is not heard: the sweet Miss is not constrained to hold out her hand to the blistering ferula: her guiltless heart palpitating with terror, and, in piteous accents, pleading in vain for mercy.— Those instructors, filled with Christian benevolence, draw upon the hearts of their pupils with the cords of love. The law of kindness is in their lips.— Their children are irresistibly impelled to love and revere them as their best friends: and do cheerfully submit to their authority. Before their minds are blunted and perverted by improper management, children, in general, have an honest frankness: they are affectionate— fond of approbation & praise, and easily wounded by the ideas of reproach and shame. A master, of an estimable & amiable character, may easily insinuate himself into their affections. They will look up to him as their friend as well as guide: the thoughts of having offended him will wound them deeply; and the desire of his approbation will be a constant stimulus to their ambition and laudable exertions. Having won over their hearts he can mould and fashion them like soft wax: his mild and winning exhortations, advice, or reproof will gently insinuate into their minds, like dew, that distills upon the tender grass: and there will be no occasion of brandishing the vengeful scourge or using expressions of wrath and bitterness.— Or, indeed, if there should be found some children, who will not be won and persuaded to their duty by mild methods, their parents may take them out of school, for a short time, and confine them to constant labor, and they will be glad to return and submit to scholastic orders.— Or even if there should be some desperate case, where the scourge must be applied, it ought to be so managed as fully to convince the offender of the justice and necessity of his punishment, and that his own good is sought and intended thereby. Children have as much right to justice and fair dealings as their parents and instructors; and they, who have the power of punishing them, ought to be under such restraints as shall prevent the abuse of this power. It is not expected that all masters will have as much philosophy as Socrates, who being offended with his servant, said to him, "I would chastise you, if you or I were not angry."

A schoolmaster has both judicial and executive power: there is no appeal from his sentence.— The culprit, neither personally, nor by an attorney, is permitted to dispute before him those points of law and evidence that relate to his case: and the whole process, on the part of the judge, is, perhaps, conducted in the warmth of anger. Now, is there no danger, in such a case, that a child may be chastised, either undeservedly, or beyond his deserts?— To prevent this, if the scourge must be used, the judicial proceedings should be deferred, at least one day from the time the offence may have been committed, that the master may be sure to act in a dispassionate manner. I will conclude, by remarking, that no class of citizens deserve better of their country than the well qualified, discreet and benevolent instructors of children and youth. They are worthy of great honor and encouragement.— And to form a good instructor, an assemblage of the amiable virtues is requisite, rather than great and shining talents. Purity of character, self-command, strict impartiality, aptness to teach, a free and engaging behavior; and, above all, the effusions of a benevolent heart, daily manifested in expressions of kindness toward them, will effectually penetrate and win over the hearts of children. A master of this amiable cast, provided he has an accurate knowledge of the necessary branches of school instruction, will be of unspeakable use. His pupils will behold him with filial affection: they will be anxious to please him. Whenever they part with him, their tears will witness their regret; and in every stage of their lives, a recollection of their faithful guide, will fill them with grateful emotions.

[Hudson Gaz]