The Hillsborough Recorder

Regular teachers be exempt from State military duty whilst employed in teaching. Though fully aware of the importance of their vocation, I have not felt at liberty to excuse them under existing laws. The Common Schools should surely be kept going at every cost, and if sufficient inducements cannot be offered to disabled soldiers and educated women to take hold of them, the necessary males should be exempted. Surely, though, if convinced of the great necessity, our patriotic country women would assist, in the absence of these male instructors, in preparing the minds of the rising generation to appreciate the Government which this one is bleeding to establish. When we see so little doing to educate the youth soon to succeed us, and behold abroad the vicious and demoralizing influences everywhere blighting the land, it is enough to fill one with shuddering for the future. Truly the mental furrows are gaping for the seed, and if the good be not put in the crop of evil will be spontaneous and fearful. It is with pride that I observe the publication in our State of various new school-books, creditable alike to the authors and to the public which has demanded them. Our great system of Common Schools is, after all, our only true and solid foundation for public education, and demands your constant and fostering care.

If no other inducements can be offered that will prevail upon you to devote your time to this laborious but noble work, will you not as patriots come forward in this hour of your country's trial, when every strong arm is needed to defend you and your homes from a merciless foe? Many of you, we know, must look for such employment as will be remunerative; but there are many others who are not compelled to labor for a support. These we would urge especially to engage in this work, since the compensation must necessarily be less than we would desire. Teach, not for the pay, and it may be, not for the love of the work, but teach for the sake of the children of our State who must grow up in ignorance, if you do not instruct them. Fully 4,000 teachers are needed in North Carolina, and 4,000 able bodied men can not be spared from our armies to do this work, which the ladies can do so well. Consider the subject well, and do what your conscience and your patriotism say is your duty. And now we would say a word

TO THE PARENTS.

It is well known to every one who will reflect, that the small amount paid the teachers of our public Schools will not supply them with food and clothing, and for this reason few are willing to teach except such as desire by this means to be exempt from military service. You feel the necessity of having your children taught, you are unwilling that they should grow up in ignorance, and be unfit to enjoy and maintain the independence for which we are so earnestly striving.

Is it not your duty then to see that these who devote their time to the instruction of your children, receive a competent support, so far as you are able to give? Let some one in each neighborhood secure such contributions as the parents can give especially in provisions and articles of necessity, to be added to the public funds, and we feel sure that every District in the State can support a teacher, and some competent lady can be found to teach every school.

T.R. GAINES.
S.J. STEVENSON.