“SWANZEY.—Alonzo A. Ware.

MORAL TRAINING NEEDED.

So much is said at the present time against the inculcation of sectarian tenets in the public schools, that there is danger of going to the opposite extreme, and neglecting the moral training of our scholars. This error should be guarded against. Our boys (and girls, too, perhaps) will soon be called to fill responsible stations in the state and nation: and never was there a louder call than the present for persons of stern integrity and incorruptible morality to fill these places. As lovers of our country and of humanity, or acting in self-defence, even, for our own private interests, we should see to it that this branch of education is not neglected. The spirit of our constitution requires it, and no proposed amendment to that instrument will lessen the responsibility of instructors in this respect, or relieve them from the duty heretofore imposed upon them. Our teachers being almost exclusively females, .are peculiarly adapted to give this kind of instruction. Not in informal lectures, but interwoven with the daily lessons as opportunities present themselves, the faithful teacher may implant correct principles, and make those good impressions on the plastic mind that will never be effaced.”

Reference Data:

Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, by New Hampshire Dept. of Public Instruction, 1877, page 43