Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-02
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
Ne dispNfe= jamais, e. souvenf Iscuse.
Richmond, March 9, 1916.
Mr.. Jeferson's Letter to Peter Carr.

Mr.. Jsferson's Letter to Peter Carr.
In our last number, we republished letter
from Mr.. Jefferson to the late Peter Carr, on the
subjectof that mode of national education which
the respectable author deems best adapted to our
present social and political condition. Our req
ders have, no doubt, recognized in the scheme pro-
posed by MIR. Jefferson that beam of true dis
cernment which characteristics his great mind. A
subject so vast and of such variety obviously re,
CURED an uncommon extent of knowledge, a rare
penetration and comprehensiveness of intellectual
view, and sat the same time, a minute & exquisite
spirit OF classification and detail. II was not e.
nough to point out the principal sources ofhuman
knowledge; IL was necessary to trace the different
streams which flow from those sources inso many
directions, TO fertiize and embellish the immense
field of civilized life. This MIR. Jefferson has
done; and we hope that the useful germs which
he has thus scattered will not be lost. They
viii, no doubt, be sedulously cultivated, and ora.
dually brought to perfection by the wisdom and
the llberality of the country.
Mr. Jefterson's plan very properly embraces the
whole ofthe rising generation. A certain guam
ty OF instruction is necessary to all classes of So
ciety, especially in free State, where every in
dividual has some agency in national concerns.
Education alone can raise all the members of the
Body Polite TO the high ground of mora! respec.
liability, and intellectual independence. A we'll
informed people can be safely entrusted with
selt-goverAGent and where the national mind
IS irradIated by the intense light of knowledge
and truth, private and public virtue will general.
ly prevail, and universal happiness follow close
in the rear.-Those who have attended to Mr..
Jefterson's patriotic labours will Immediately re-
collect that the diffusion of elementary and use
ful knowledge has always been with him a favor.
lite object. Virginia is indebted to his zeal and to
his judgment for scheme to that effect formed
at very early period of his political life, and
which has been justly eulogised by all those who
have noticed the Re used Code, without however.
having been acted upon to the extent and with
the .earnestness which its importance required.
MIR. Jefferson has never ceased to advocate this
great and good cause land the letter to which
these remarks relate, proves that he is still ar
dent and indefatigable in promoting it. His old
age is venerable not only from the recollection of
the numerous and extensive services which he
has rendered to mankind and to his country, but
also from the contemplation of the intellectual
activity which he continues to display at his adj
vanced age, for the same noble objects
| Knowing AS we do how earnestly Mr.. Jefferson
desires their accomplishment, and how essential
10 the welfare education is, it would afford
us the purest satisfaction to see such plans acted
upon by our next Legislature with correspondent
ardour and commensurate hberality. Man,
years will probably elapse before the 1bsr of hi,
: splendid pyramid shall be completed-but what
can prevent us from laying its broad foundation
we mean, from establishing through the land NJ,
merous and regular elementary schools wliict
will elicit genius and worth from their obsoures
recessesf The question is not to educate a fs7u
but to educate all If the treasures of science ar,
to be opened with a golden key only. the ricl
VIII always have that key at Their command--anc
II acknowledge can not yet be manufacture 4 .k home
tor want of proper machinery, they can import i,
But the many-the many! are they to be lef
without the blessings ofnstruction without tn
elements, at least, of moral and political know
4 ledger Guardians of the state, Beware Whe,
Y Yrants wish to make nations turn the mill-ston
OF desPotism, they begin by putting out their in
stellectual eyes --There is no rational, no perma
Inent freedom, without knowledge. Promote
therefore, its universal diffusion-Foster and pa
tronize Lancasterian schools-Take by the han,
INDECENT merit and unassisted genius-I.ead then
from the dawn of orient knowledge to its merj
dian splendor. Mr.. Jeferson's plan flrnishe
excellent means for this progressive ascent--It
accommodated to the wants. and to the views @
every class of society.-Adopt it--and promptl
lay the basis--the rest will come in time --Wit
that plan, combine a Board of national Instr1c
ton, and national press, which, discardng ty
] typographical luxury and counteracting the cup
dlty and speculations of those Printers and Book
sellers, who now distribute scan'y portion g
intellectual light at extrsvagant prices, woul
: circulate knowledge with ease, convenience An
speed through the whole State DO all this, an
more-snd look for your reward to the blessing
IofPosterity!