On 22 October 1845 the famous poet Walt Whitman described and condemned the tradition of physical punishment common in the nation's public schools:

It is with no unkind spirit that we affirm—and call all good and sound modern reasoners on the subject to back us—that the instructor who uses the lash in his school at all, is unworthy to hold the power he does hold. . . . That he can bethink him no better and easier, and gentle and more humane plan to ensure obedience than thrashing, proves him fit for dog-whipper, or menagerie-tamer, but not for the holy office of fashioning an immortal human soul. . . . How many noble spirited boys are beaten into sullen and spiteful endurance of what there is no earthly need—sharp taunts, blows, and frowning looks! Awake! parent and teacher, to higher ideas for your kind...