Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-21


arrangement, will render all the machinery in
vented for carrying into effect all tie proposed
systems OF public education, entirely uniieces-
sary, that the legislature may resume its
ordinary powers of legislation over that, in
common with all other public funds and for
that purpose, may dispense altogether with
its present president and directors, aud that
all the executive powers, which may be rcquir'
ed 10 carry il Into effect, may be placed III tho
hands of the constitutional executive Of the
commonwealth. For this purpose, however,
as well as for The due execution of its other
important functions, the executive must be
iDvigorated :. 18th all its appropriate 'conStitu
tondl attributes. This can only he done, by
returning TO H. the legislative confidence, by
restoring TO il all its Subducted powers, aud
by placing il in that high state OF responsibility
which sbelongs TO coordinate aud indcpen-
dent department OF the government. The first
aud most important step towards eiiecting
these great objects, would be to fin upon each
OF the members OF the executive, an adequate
aud permanent compons alton corresponding
with the high functions, the members respec-
lively are called upon TO execute in behalf OF
the commonwealth. Upon this subject il is
natural TO expect great dvcrSitics OF opinion,
arising from various considerations, and espe-
cially from the different views, winch are en-
tertained respecting the degrees of utility, and
importance attached TO the appropriate exec
utve functions. It's not necessary for the
present object, TO state the precise amount to
which IL is thought the executive compe.sa-
tons ought to be raised, and such an attempt
an irrelevant point 1t may however, merely
be limited that they ought To be raised so far
atieast beyond the present amount as TO com
mand tue best talents of the commonwealth.
This criterion forms the only proper limit 10
the executive compensations. This being
done; II is proposed TO apply the whole pro.
ceeds of the literary fiiDd as follows:
!. Let an estimate be formed of the sum,
which wonld be necessary for the endowment
OF an university, upon the NEST liberal scale,
and let snch sum he first set apart, and be
permanently aud invioiably applied TO that OBJ
Iect.
2. Let the Central College be converted into
that university.
3. Let an estimate be made Of the number of
colleges, and academies. which might be libe-
rally endowed, with the residue of the fund
ana let it be applied in the same permanent
aud invioable manner, to those objects accor-
ding TO the result of snch estimate
A. Let the existing colleges aud academies
be included i'm these eHdowncnts.
1t Is not thought necessary TO enter into
more precise specifications at this time; be-
c1use, these principles will give general view
OF the system, and if adopted, their simplicity
would render all the details for their execu-
ton perfectly easy and efiectHal. 1t will be
seen that this project excludes all provisions
for primary schools, which alone constitute
all tile difficulties in making the proper appIi-
Gallons of the literary fluid. The following
are amongst the advantages of this mode of ap-
plying the literary fund.
l. Ii Is perfectly simple and practicable.
the a charge of any private duty.
s. III - discharge of an appropriate govern
mental dnty.
Perhaps some explanation of this principle
may be called fpr-it perhaps may be asked
now III happens that ii is a governmental duty
10 provide an university, colleges and acade-
mics, for the education OF youth aud not to
provide primary schools fer them: Ii is an
swered, that the difference in Tie two cases
consists in the nature aud character of the
different duties TO be performed The gov
eminent is bound TO perform all duties for the
Citizens which they cannot perform TOR them
selves and to leave to the citizens the erfor-
nance ofall those which they can perform ioi
themselves. The citizens cannot, without
great Inconvenience, associate TO build acade-
mics, colleges, nor universities; because the
objects are ofsO general character as to be
beNond the range of private associations.
These duties, therefore, desoIve on the gov
arhment; whereas the building of primary
schools rs strictly within the limits and capaci-
ties OF private associations, and can be better
executed IN that way than by the government
The duty OF the government therefore, is to
provide those means of education only, which
the cItzehs cannot provide in their private
Capacities.
After these means of education are provii-
ed, the citizen Is still left to avail himself of
them or not, at his own pleasure ; and is not
placed under any regulation nor coercion OF
the government and of course his individual
rights are preserved inviolate.
1t VIII be observed, that there is no d ficu-
governmental dates. All the difficulties ex-
perIenced III the various propositions for the
application of the literary fund, are found 10
arse from the attempts TO establish primary
schools. Why these difficulties in relation TO
this part Of the ubject and not in relation TO
the endowment of universities, colleges and
academies! The plain aud simple answer is
mat one is an attempt 70 execute public, the
other an attempt to execute private dutv
The government fiHds no difficulty i'm execu.
ting us own appropriate duties int the mo-
lnent II attempts to execute duties without IFS
province, the pri ate duties OF individuals il
then becomes enVirOned with difficulties and
u IS from that very cause, all difficulties arise
1t is LAID down as an incOntFoVertible axiom,
that the duties OF nature cannot be substituted
by ARTIFICIAL eXPedieDts and il is no wonder
that difficulties should present Themselves
whenever the attempt is made. IL is perfectly
clear too, that no good, bur great mischief
must result from an uUwisC perseverance in
such attempts A great principle having lis
tounddtion IN nature, is attempted to be viola.
ted IN oil the schemes for establishing primary
schools-It consists Of the attempt to absove
parent from the duty Of educating his child
according TO his condition in life An uiuatu.
raj principle is attempted to be substituted
10 wit TO compel one man To contribute 10
tie education of another mans child. Is il
wonderful then that difficulties should occur
M attempts to supply artificial expedient, as
substitutes for obvious duties enjoined by the
plainest and strongest impulses Of nature; and
81 the stu more unjust and prepostcTOBs at
tempts OF burjhenlng one man with the duties
properly belonging TO another
4. The literary fund would Of itself furnish
means for executing this project whereas the
whole resources within tile command Of the
state would not furnish means for primary
schools
5. One more advantage Of the comnter.pro
Ject will be mentioned The commonwealth
isnot believed to be in want of the primary
school, nor even the common ACCIDENTAL eda.
eaton; but 10 be extremely in want of tie
hIgher aud more nrnfnnnd knnMlehrn Of the