Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-22

di"' "S" az 'hiS VlfISion OF lignt, tOr
ihey considered the spirit of enquiry
ana innovation as equally their enc
mes ne system too, met with re-
sistduce from tiie penurious parsimony
wh'cn tils amendment exhibits. and the
love Oh narAhcss but the unerring fore
siSht dnu nrinness otFrederick nvercame
an 'hesc, ana lie nj length established IN
Tins province his colleges, academies and
trivial schools, in everS town and hamlet
IN u. Nay, sir. there is IL fine ,mpo-
sed on every man who does not send
hiS chiih to school and ignorance, as il
should be, where such opportunities OF
IN -iruchon are afforded, has become the
derision OF all. Thus. sir, a population
OF more limited wealth than ours. now
supports 1850 schools TO educate the
children of 1900, goo persons; and there
has not been found man so hardy as to
make such proposition as this. to take
from the people without government the
endowment of these schools.
The effects of this admirable system
have been most apparent. IN l742. there
was but one press Tor the publication OF
pamphlets and books; i'll 1904 there were
u; at the former period, but two perio-
d!cal journals, and at the latter %, and
IN 1902 but three newspapers, IN 1893
there were %. In 1904, there were living
in this province 500 authors, of consider
able celebrity. Before this proviRce was
conquered by Frederick, there was an
excessive restraint on the freedom of
opinion and the publication of luminous
and literary works but after he became
MS master, and pursued this enlightened
course, as tn literary subjects, there was
the most unhouuded liberty for the dis
play of SiieSian genius. Yes, sir, this
man with millions at his feet, was but a
King. On the fields ofZorndoif he was
hero and general; andeven his literary
requirements only gave him the cllarac-
erofa Philosopher; but in this generous
ardor and zeal 10 educate the INDECENT
youth of his Province, lie was truly,
the father and protector of his citizens.
and the benctactor of mankind.
Scotland, with whose history and peo-
pie we are more intimately ACQUAINTED
than either ofthe examples hayenamed,
Will give us much practical and useful
niornatlon. Like the nations of Enrope.
fettered and limited III her acts bv the
gloomy cast given her character by the
Feudal System and Catholic Religion.
we ind her in despite OF these difficulties
producing before the Reformation, men
distinguished for their requirements in
every branch OF Philosophy, Literature
ana History; and her pre-eminence in
tins respect Is more striking when she
abolished the one obstacle to her i'm
rroyement and abandoned the other
SIR, the light of truth davned upon this
people as early as 1916, when her James
9th enacted law recommending If 10
the Bishops TO travel and deal with the
heyitorS Qand- holdcrs,) and Inhabitants
OF each parish within their Diocese. for
fixing some solid and sure course for
establishing school in each Parish
tliiS act was ratified by an act of Charles
lst III 1893, which empowered the Bish-
ops, with The consent OF tile Hcvitors. 10
assess the tax for the support OF each
school: but II was found this system was
Intellectual; the consent OF lie Heyitors
either not being obtained, or resulted in
a refusal 10 assess themselves. The
Statute OF 1916 remedies this objection,
and o6Hges The Heyitors To meet and
assess fixed sum for the salary of the
teacher. This was the most chectua and
sure step taken 10 ensure success TO the
plan, and II has succeeded bevond what
lbs advocates then anticipated. Tins
statute was repealed by Charles Cd. in
1860. Ii slept during the reigns of Charles
ana James, and was re-enacted in 1886.
ana has continued TO produce the most
happy effects, in slow, but sure and
certain manner; and now Scotland has
81 Parochiai Schools, supported b. the
PROVISIONS made under this act, and this
foo Tor ihe education of the youth of
2,GO0,O00 of people. What, I ask. en-
phdllcaliy, mace been The moral. political
and intellectual effects! am aware, sir.
II Is unnecessary for me TO inform this
enlightened Committee, that its political
effects are most obvious have Won. sir
ever seen cilizenot tins nation, who has
not expressed and manifested the most
mistaken and insurmountablc love and
attachment TO his native land, the place
OF his birth, and even the barren moor
where he had been wont TO spend The
happy days OF his childhood This
amor patriG, is what wish 10 see evcrv
true American inspired with. and If
IS all the result Of education. AS TO The
intellectual improvement OF this people
VIII dare venture TO assert there is no
nation which tor lis population Surpasses
lt--no, sir, not one. Distinguished for
her Poets, Chemists, Mathematicians.
historians and Philosophers, she NAV al
tribute all, yes all, TO her system of pub
lie instrut ton.
But even these advantages are dust in
the balance, when We behold the moral
effects which the diffusion ofknowledge
has had on this people. 1t has made
them temperate, prudent and industrious.
and free from foo many OF the vices we
see praciised i'll other nations.
LOOK, however, to the change in the
socicty produced ia tliatcouuirv bv these
schools III 1896, Scotland with popuIa-