Valley Virginian

The undersigned have been appointed by the "Educational Association of Virginia," a committee to address you on their behalf, "urging you to be a more hearty co-operation with teachers, in matters of instruction, discipline, &c.

The benefits which would be secured to education, and the aid which would be afforded teachers by such co-operation would be very great; as all who have any experience on the subject must be aware of the obstacles at the very threshold of education, arising from the want of proper family management. If, therefore, they can be removed much good will be attained. Since the teacher is properly to be regarded as the parents agent, to assist in the training of his children, it appears obvious, that parents may be best induced to this important concurrence, by pointing them to the fundamental principles to be observed in the education of youth.

In its broad, comprehensive sense, education embraces the physical, moral and intellectual instruction of a child, from infancy to manhood. Any system is imperfect which does not combine them all, and that is best which, while it thoroughly developes them, abases the coarse, animal affections of human nature, and exalts the higher faculties and feelings. A child has everything to learn, and is more readily taught by having before it good examples to imitate, than by simple precepts. He should, therefore, as far as circumstances will permit, be encouraged to associate with his parents; for his heart must be affected, his feelings moved, as well as his mind expanded. He may be taught that it is criminal to steal, and sinful to lie, and yet be unable to apply this knowledge to the government of himself; and it will therefore, be of no value to him, unless the principles is confirmed into a habit.

Obedience is the first requisite in family training. It should be made sincere and perfect, and proceed as much from affection as a conviction of necessity. To accomplish this, great prudence, and the exercise of much patience, are necessary. By firmness mixed with kindness, the child will learn, by repeated experience, that he is not to follow his impulse, and that self-control, which even an infant can understand, is necessary to his comfort. Neither violence nor harshness should ever be used; and the parent must bear constantly in mind, that to govern his child, he must show him that he can control himself. One of the most common errors in the management of children is irregularity of behavior to-wards them. They are skillful, as pertinacious in their attempts to gratify their self-will; at one time trying to evade authority, at another to oppose it. If they once succeed, they are encouraged to persevere, and it is necessary for the parent to meet the first attempt with firmness, and not permit himself to be baffled, either by evasion or resistance. Although a child may not yield to threats, and may defy punishment, he cannot resist patient kindness and gentle admonition.

The love of truth is equal in importance to habitual obedience. Every encouragement, even to the pardoning of offences, should be given to its cultivation. The first impulse of the mind in children is always to speak the truth rather than falsehood, unless some evil motive arise to sway them to untruth. They should be accustomed to hear the truth always spoken. Confession of error, with a detestation of falsehood, dishonesty and equivocation, should be sedulously inculcated. A strict adherence to promises made to them is of the utmost importance, as well as the removal of all temptation to misconduct.

The influence of christianity forms the essential element of moral character; as its principles are the only sufficient basis of virtue or happiness. Hence, the parent's most sacred duty to his child is to impress the sentiments of our holy religion early upon his mind, by personal explanation and systematic instruction. As the intellect expands, its sacred truths will be comprehended and felt, and its motives and principles be strengthened and confirmed by practice and habit.

An essential part of the education of youth is to teach them to serve themselves, and to impress upon them the fact that nothing good can be acquired in this world without labor; and that the very necessaries and comforts of life must be procured by earnest and regular exertion. They should also be taught to know that after having been reared and educated by their parents, they should not expect to provide further for them, and that their future subsistence and advancement must depend upon themselves. Parents sometimes commit the mistake of allowing their children, after having reached the period of life when they ought to be engaged in making a livelihood, to rely upon them for support. This encourages them in injurious idleness, and destroys that spirit of self-dependence, which is necessary for their advancement in life, and causes them to appear so unreasonable as to depend upon them after having arrived at an age when they should think and act for themselves.

The choice of a profession is not of so much consequence as the manner in which it is pursued. If habits of self-control and self-denial have been acquired during the season of education, the great object has been accomplished. Diligence and integrity in any useful pursuit of life will be sure to secure prosperity and fame, and success will result from engaging in that business in which the generality of mankind are interested.

Such being the correct view of education, the support and cooperation which faithful teachers should receive from parents can be easily inferred by the good sense of each one. We only ask especial attention, in concluding, to the following suggestions, which our experience has shown to be of prime importance.

1. The parent, after committing his child teaching of another, should continue to manifest an affection-interest in his improvement, by constant inquiry and encouragement.

2. The supplying of young persons while absent from their homes, with needless money, and the permission to contract debts, are to be reprobated, as tempting to a sinful prodigality and multiplying the dangers of contracting habits of vice.

3. The proper authority of teachers must be firmly sustained by parents.

4. Every young person should be informed by his parents that he must give diligence to profit by his studies, or else must be compelled to make himself useful to society by actual labor in some humbler sphere.

And last, an unworthy parent cannot reasonably expect the teacher, against the current of his wrong example, to form his son into a worthy man.

R. E. Lee, John B. Minor, R. L. Dabney, Committee.
March 8, 1867.

The History of the world has been badly written, if there was ever a people placed in the "situation" which now "be-devils" the honest masses of the South. Still, there are proud recollections of the past and grand hopes in the future of such a people, which it is well for us to remember. While History makes no mention of a people in our condition, it records no instance where a race has accomplished so much or developed so high an order of talent. Since Raleigh crossed the Seas, with his brave "cavaliers," and Spottswood discovered our magnificent Valley; since a Washington, the grandest "Rebel" of recorded time, gained our Independence; since Jefferson, Madison and a host of other great minds, gave form and substance to Constitutional Liberty, this people have controlled a Continent--and their descendants only ceased to do so, when overpowered by brute force. Shall we disgrace this glorious record, by inactivity, or shall we master the "situation"?

It is all very fine to talk about "Italy" and "Hungary" and what they did by remaining "passive" under oppression, but our "passive" men seem to forget that the people of Italy and Hungary were all of one race, and that but for the assistance of France and Prussia, these countries would now be under the rule of Austria. We have no friendly or interested neighbors to help us out of a bad scrape, but we have four millions of negroes to control.

Is it possible to teach the Southern people a little practical selfishness? Is the terrible experience of four years, of the bloodiest and most cruel war recorded in history, to leave us the same people we were; to leave us, or rather what is left of us, the same helpless people we have always been? This is the question for us to decide and the only question. The example of Italy and Hungary will do for "Honor" gentlemen, of the "inaction" order, to talk about and grow eloquent over, but recollect, neither of these countries had four millions of a different race; a race, it is true, that proved faithful during the war, but still a race that may be used by our enemies, and theirs, to enslave us.

It is now certain, as the Virginian proclaimed at first, that the provisions of the "Military Bill" will be carried out, and negro suffrage enforced. A General issues his orders from "H'd Quarters, District No. 1, Richmond"--a place formerly known as the Capitol of Virginia. He does his work like a gentleman and a soldier, but he will do it, bitter as it may be to him and to us. In fact our "head is in the Lion's mouth," and it won't do to twist his tail too much, neither will it do any better to let it stay there and refuse the friendly aid of the negro vote, to get it out. If we remain "inactive," Botts & Co. may succeed in "twisting his tail," to our great disadvantage.

It is true that our people have been so busily engaged, since the surrender, in making "bread and meat," that they have had no time to attend to the education and interests of the Freedmen, and that business has gone into the hands of our enemies. But even now our duty is plain; we must take more interest in this class; we must show them we are their best friends, and it is a sacred duty every man owes to his family, to explain this question to them. It won't do to say you "won't vote beside a nigger," for if you do not, and fail to make him vote rightly and intelligently, you are neglecting a duty and deserve to be punished, (as you surely will be,) for it.

Our duty is so plain a one, that it seems idle to repeat it, and we would not but for the deplorable apathy and indifference (natural we know) of our people. We must take charge and control the negro population, and every white man that has a vote must vote and instruct every colored man in his duty. The great hero of this century and of the war, Stonewall Jackson, did not deem it beneath his dignity, but considered it a sacred duty, to instruct the negroes, even before the war. Are we so proud and foolish that we can not "profit by his example?" Or will we lay supinely on our backs, in "masterly inactivity," and see this vast element of strength wielded against us, by the vilest and lowest creatures on "God's green earth." We will not insult the intelligence of our people by admitting such a thing, but we feel it our duty to urge upon them the necessity of going to work at once, and controlling this element. There is no time to be lost, and it would be a poor compliment to a people who held a world at bay, with a "skirmish line," for four years, to say they cannot now control four millions of a race, that "skirmish line" at the same time, held in subjection.

The "silver lining" to the "cloud" of our troubles is to make an element of strength out of that with which our enemies expected to destroy us, and it is our duty, to black and white, to do it. We have it from the best authority that "Gen. Lee" is heartily in favor of a Convention. He thinks we should make every effort to avert our ruin; that it is idle to talk of resistance or "inactivity." He acknowledges that the pill is a bitter one, but says he can suffer nothing more than APPOMATTOX! It is "bitter"--a hard duty to perform, but remember the words of our "best and bravest" and let every man do his part in the trying times now upon us. Providence always assists those who help themselves.

Since the passage of the Military Bill, several gentlemen of our town have received letters from Northern capitalists and farmers, desiring to invest in the South and especially in our Valley. So it is no use to despond, for even this harsh measure, may, and we think will, prove beneficial to us materially, by the confidence it will inspire in northern men and capital heretofore afraid to venture South. The tide of immigration and capital is certain to turn towards the general climate of the South soon, in spite of radical meanness. Then our day of triumph will come. Stick together, work, teach your children trades, develope and encourage home enterprises, and our future is a bright one.

There is nothing so discouraging in our present condition as the feeling of despair which seems to have taken possession of many of our people. Involved in thick darkness, they would cut the cable of the "anchor of the soul" and become the sport of the tempest. Is despair a remedy for any evil or the only refuge of a brave people? On the contrary, is it not practical infidelity and the sum of all evils.

Has God forgotten to be gracious, or given up his power to dispose of what man proposes? The Radicals are very ingenious, and in a worldly point of view, very powerful; but one word from the omnipotent disposer of events will crush them to atoms. Other nations have been worse off than the people of the South and afterwards regained power and prosperity. Other parties have rioted in all the excesses of corruption, bigotry, injustice and infamy as the Radical faction now does and have fallen into disgrace and so it will be again.

There are agencies at work that will surely accomplish their speedy destruction, and the rumbling of the chariot wheels of the great arbiter of human destiny may be heard in the distance. With due respect for the opinions of despairing patriots, we must be permitted to doubt the omnipotence and perpetuity of the Radical party.--Winchester Times.

By Col. Theodore O'Hara, of Kentucky

The muffled drum's sad roll shall beat,
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet,
The brave and daring few.
On Fame's eternal camping ground,
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards the solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

No answer of the foe's advance,
Now swells upon the wind;
No troubled thought at midnight haunts,
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow's strife,
The warrior's dream alarms--
No braying horn or scream of fife,
At dawn shall come to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed,
Their haughty banners, trailed in dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral tears have washed,
Their red stains from each brow,
And their proud forms, in battle gashed,
Are free from anguish now.

The neighing steed, the flashing blade,
The trumpet's stirring blast--
The charge, the dreadful cannonade,
The din and shout are past;
Nor war's wild note, nor glory's peal,
Shall thrill with fierce delight,
Those breasts that never more shall feel,
The rapture of the flight.

Like the dread Northern hurricane,
That sweeps his broad plateau;
Flushed with the triumph yet to gain,
Came down the sorried foe.
Our heroes felt the shock, and leapt,
To meet them on the plain;
And long the pitying sky hath wept,
Above our gallant slain.

Sons of our consecrated ground,
Ye must not slumber there;
Where stranger steps and tongues resound,
Along the heedless air;
Your own proud land's heroic soil,
Shall be your fitter grave;
She claims from war her richest spoil--
The ashes of her brave!

So 'neath their parent turf they rest,
far from the gory field!
Borne to a Spartan mother's breast,
On many a bloody shield;
The sunshine of her native sky,
Smiles sadly on them here,
And kindred hearts and eyes watch by,
The heroes' sepulchre.

Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead!
Dear as the bloody grave;
No impious footsteps here shall tread,
The herbage of your grave;
Nor shall your glory be forgot,
While fame her record keeps,
Or honor points the hallowed spot,
Where valor proudly sleeps.

Yon marble minstrel's voiceless tone,
In deathless song shall tell,
When many a vanished age hath flown,
The story how ye fell;
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight,
Nor Time's remorseless doom,
Shall dim the ray of holy light,
That gilds your glorious tomb.