The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-03-23
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Tbc Ralnnutp. Series I'd.
YIII.
ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


ofthe patriot ought to be more frequently d.
reeted than the education of youth, and there
is none to which the legiGator ought 10 often
to extend his fotering care. In bringing 1t at
this time before the public / have no expecta-
ton that lhall advance any thing new; 1t l
can fucceed in awakening the curioiity, and in
invigoratng the exertions of the friend OF man
kind, my ambition will be gratitled.
When we reflect upon the advantages to
community which would be derived from the
general diffufon of information amongt its
members, we mutt at once perceive the intereit
which the fuble6t creates. In every fociety
there is certain portion of time which cannot
be employed by the individuals who compete
it, in their ordinary occupations. ne peaiant,
who depends upon his daily labour, for his dali
ly bread, always finds certain intervals OF relax
alton, during which his buiinefs mult top. In
proportion advance from the iowet TO
the higheit occupations, we ihall lind that theie
intervals of leifure increafe. The manner m
which this lsifure ihall be fpent, is an object of
high importance to thofe who with TO Improve
the morals ofthe people, for on this 1t IN Tome
degree depends whether they thall De devoted
to intoxication, riot, and exceis, or become
temperate, orderly, and prudent. know that
it is vi6onary to fnppoie that the whole OF a
people can ever become philosophers, but 1t IS
furely not chimerical to fuppofe that they may
ledge, and infpired with defre of acquiring
more than they poaefs. The eftabfhment of
fchools in which every child in the tate may
have accefs to the fprings Of knowledge and OF
virtue, would certainly have this happy effect.
If they could be 10 organized as TO teach to each
child merely the art of reading and of writing,
and if fuch books were ufed as would convey to
their minds moral inltruction, as well as
give fome might into the affairs of men, there
4 L. xrhr
Plumbers would be awakened into life. a love
of knowledge would become the national tate.
The leiiure which falls to the portion o. every
man, would not be 70 often mifufed, nor would
debauchery enlift under her banner 70 many
devotees. Thus would the morality of the peo-
pie be improved by the general difufon of in
formation amongit them. 1t would not be diff
hcu!t to prove by abftraf reaioning that fuch
fytem as l have mentioned would increaie
the enterprise and induary of individuals, as
well rs improve TIL national morality. But for
tnnateiy tor us, it is not ncccliary to retort TO
abltract reafoning on this nterefing iubject.
The concurrent teitimony of travellers and wri-
ters proves that this effect has been produced
III Scotland. Inthat country tprit OF enter
prize exits, which perhaps cannot be equalled
IN any other country of the old world. Her
induitrious and Intelligent fons are TO be found
In all parts OF the univerfe, and Scotland de-
ierveS the eulogium OF the Iriih orator, that
ihe nation which Sc wings her eagle flight
againft the blaze Of every icience, with an eye
that never winlzS, and a wing that never tires"
Theie effects are ainoh entirely attributable to
the extenfive fyten of pariih ichoolS which
pervade every corner of that country. This
fytem enlightens the cottgge of the INDECENT
peatant, and calls forth genius from her fecret
recedes. "a flight acquaintance, Gays Currie
in his life of Burns) with the peafantry Of Scot
land, will ferve TO convince an unprecedented
obferyer that they poflefs a degree of intcl!i.
-gence, not generally found among the fame clafs
o. men in the other countries of Europe. In
The very humbleit condition of the Scottilll pea
fants, every one can read. and mott perfons are
more or lefS KILLED in writing and arithmetic
and underline difgu[e nf their uncouth appear
ance, and oftheir peculiar manners & dialect, a
frsnger will difcover that they pofeis curioii-
ty, and have obtained degree Of information
corresponding requirements" The fame
writer from facts which cannot be contelfed
proves that the crimes committed in Scotland
have decreafed within century to almoft
incredible degree. At the latter end ofthe 18th
century, Scotland was over-run with vagabonds
and criminals of every defcription, whereas dur
ing 80 years preceding the year 1897, the exc
cutioEs in Scotiond did not annually ON an a.
verage exceed fix, aud the Jingle town of Man
cheter in England, has transported more fe!ons
during one quarter tefiions, than the whole of
Scotland niiaa!ly tranfports in the courfe of a
year. In England there are few pariih ichools,
and mott of thofe who are there condemned to
death can neither read nor write. If farther e
violence is required this fubject, let it be OBJ
ferved that Adam Smith, whole treatife on the
Wealth of Nations is reforted to almof as the
Text Book for political oeconomifs, alto bears
teitmony to the benefits which SEQ land has de-
rived from parifli fchools.
But there is another benefit which free peo-
pie would derive from the difufon of informa-
ton amongft them which cannot be too highly
appreciated. What mode for the prefervation
Of our freedom, can be pointed out 70 effe6tu-
al, as the training up the understandings OF our
citizens in the knowledge of their rights 1t is
impofIi5le that the hypocrify of priefts, the in
trigues of the ambitious, or the desperate vio-
lence of military ufurper, lhould ever deprive
an enlightened people of their freedom. Per
haas may be told that the example which
have quoted, proves the fallacy of my petition
I may be told, that however moral, ndultrous,
aud enterpri6ug the Scotch people may be,
they certainly are detitute of political, & have
only a FINAL fhare of civil rights, when compar-
ed with the citizens of the American Rates
Admitting this to be true, 1t only proves, that i'll
country where the people are previouliy ex-
Guided from participation in the affairs of go
vsTnment where the pofeiiion of power 10y
them is prevented by the triple barrier Of kings