Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-10
EDUCATION.

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! We submit no papers TO our readers with 50
Il much pleasure, rs th Ose which relate 10 the
subject OF the following Report.-Unless the
means ot intellectual improy are difiused
among the people, we shall be behind o1he,
! nations IN those arts and sciences, which give
grace and character as well to nation as 10
| the c.tizcn-without them, we shall not even
| nave the means OF preserving that blessing,
which gives value TO every other we meal,
our liberties. The people must know their
| rights 10 make their officers respect tIem-A-
/ mong these means, the first in rank is Edus;ti-
| oa,-lhis is too clear TO require any proof-'The
only question is, Iom good schools TO be esta-
| biisheds Now, IL is clear, that there is a Ger
| tain point, 20 which government ought to pro
ceed--it may furnish the school house, the ap-
paratus, the library, the instrument which re-
! qnires eNpense-it may go so far as 10 furnish
] certain proportion of the salary of the Profess
| sor-but, IT ought not Ia pay more than GER
| tam part OF that sdlary--nGr ought il to eNer-
else any but the most general superintendent
over the schools thus established. TO devised
plan, by which the funds so literally bestowed
by the Legislature Of Virginia on this interest
ing object, may be best appropriated, and edu-
cation be most properly dtlused, is the object
OF the Report: which was submitted to the Le-
gislature on Thursday last, and now laid before
our readers-We have not had the opportuni-
~ or examining this plan attentiveiy-tho OH
ihe hrst glance, II appears ludiciouSly drawn
but, surely, there is no subject so well entitled
to the consideration OF free People.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AND d.
RECTORS OF THE LITERARY FUND.
In obedience TO the resolution of the
General Assembly, of the oath OF Februa-
ry, 1916, declaring, "That the President
and Directors of the Literary Fund, be re-
qnestedto digest and report to the Gene
raj Assembly, a system of public educa-
ton, calculated 10 give effect, TO the APP
preparations made to that object by the
Legislature heretofore, and during its
present session, and to comprehend in
such system, the establishment ofa Uni-
vefsity, 10 be called The University of
Virginia" and such additional Colleges.
Academies and Schools, as shall diffuse
the benefits OF education, throughout the
Commonwealth, and such rules for the
government of such University, Colleges,
Academies, and Schools, as shall pro-
duce economy in the expenditures, for
the establishment and maintenance, and
good order and discipline in the manage
ment thereof" the President and Direc-
tors of the Literary Fnnd, respectfully re-
port:
That they have entered, on the dis
charge of the important duties commit
ted 10 them, with all the solicitude which
would naturally arise from the magnitude
OF the trust, and the difficulties attendant
on the subject
In common with their fellow citizens
atlarge, they hail with pleasure, and de
light, the liberal spirit of improvement,
which dawns upon their country, and
which displays itself, not only in what
contributes to an increase Of the convent
ences, the comforts and wealth, bat also
IN the advancement of the intelligence 81
knowledge of the people. In all cnlight-
ened countries, national education has
been considered one of the first concerns
of the Legislator, and as intimately CON
nected with the prosperity of the State
In free States, where the government is
founded upon, andis the organ of the pub
lie will, IT sindispensably necessary that,
that will should be enlightened. 1t is the
proud prerogative of free governments to
be founded in virtue, and intelligence
They go hand in nand, and by impartimg
a full knowledge of the rights of mankind,
and securing an obedience to laws framed
with wisdom, and administered with i'm
partiality, they give that happiness to the
community, which despotic power never
can confer. In republic too, every CT
tizen can aspire to the highest office of
the State.-He may become a legislator,
a judge, or be called to fill the office of
first magistrate. How deeply Interested,
then, is the community, in the formation
OF system, which shall enable the youth
OF our country to discharge the high du-
ties that await them, with honor TO them
selves, andadvantage to the State? These
considerations, with many others, which
might be suggested, shew the extreme
importance of the subject, committed to
the President and Directors of the Lite
rary Fund, and impress OH them fully,
the nature and extent of their responsible
hty. In addition to the intrinsic difficult
ties of the subject OF education, it is ne
cessary in the formation of any system of
this sort. to consult the peculiar situation
OF the country, for which it is intended.
Into this estimate must enter, a regard to
the state ofits population, the degree of
perfection, to which science has attained,
the progress of the arts, and above all.
the means, which lis in the power oftbe
state, TO apply 10 such Establishments
1t cannot be expected, that the system
which may be adopted, will in its com
mencement, be perfect. This is not tic
lot of human institutions, even of those
which are the result Of The greatest cxpe-
rience, and TIE most indefaiigablelab our.
Much less, Is any thing like perfection, TO
be expected from the first attempts made
f.x q Al.