Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-12-05


eDed predecessors, offers itself first, as
the most dignified and most gratifying
subject OF remark.-Contrary TO the ex.
pectstion, and predictions Of foreign pc,
liticians, and OF too ardent zealois in our
own country, il has been attended by an
increase OF religious fervor in all minds,
and satisfactory stability of public
morals, under some increase VI Tue old,
and the addition'ot new sources of de
moral,zing Influence. And this is not
The only ground Tor cOngraiulaiion which
the subjec, affords. The rising taste
fnr that unassuming and silent system of
religious doctrine, which mauitests itself
in an enthusiastic aud persevering study
of The attributes of the author and sove
reign OF nature, perpetually displayed in
the endless variety of visible works, and
i'm the admirable excellence Of their inter.
nal structure and properties, as they arc
uniolded To man, by the still more won
dcriul power and ingenuity OF his own
mind. is also worthy cause of general
satisfaction. Few indeed can now be
found among us, tana,ical enough to
stiSmatise as atheists, their blameless Eel
low creatures, who conscicniiously SUBJ
stitute patient resignation for prayer, and
silent admiration for labored praise, or
ceremonious worship. From religious
zeal ui that character, may be most con
fidcntiy expected aH Increase OF the know
ledge Of those immutable laws, by which
al! nature is governed, through The agen
CIV 81 means, deemed incomprehens,ble,
and ineYplicable, only by superficial oh
servers. Man is every day taught, by
the accidents aud suaerings of life, 10 re
ly upon the know ledge he can acquire OF
those laas, for his safety, health, and
comfort, for the extension Of his limited
power over nature, and the means of
diminishing his hum;liaiing imbeClity.
1t is the glorious distinction of Virginia.
10 have first fully removed the main
cause of that irghtiul disorder Of the
public imagination, which has appear
ed d, intervals in all ages, in other
countries, and even IN some of these
States. dur ring the short period of our
own history which coniounds pieiy with
cruelty, and makes religion give sanction
10 The mCsi airoci0us outraScs against
humanity. The uuresirained right, mol
| only by law, but i'll fact, and with gen
erai assent, 10 make free choice of rel
ginus instructors, or 10 fulfil that impor
| iant duly, unaided, according TO com~
science, ami the light al individual rra
son, is lie only security against the re-
currrnce Of tha, dreadful calamity. To
guard veil against surrepiitIous endeav-
| ors 10 give a pariial aud interested di-
| reciion 10 public opinion upon that sub
Ject. by the mcans OF indirect legislative
| sanction, is alone .equisi,e lii our stale.
| frhc provision made by former Legis
| lanIre, tor The educa,ion nf a part OF the
children of the poor throughout the stale,
| has not answered The intended purpose,
| even 10 the moderate extent contemplated.
| The graiuiious constitution, of time and
industry. required for The application of
| the funds, according 10 The plan propns
| ed, is for The most part, far out of proper
| lion 10 any benefits, which can be cnh
| isTred by The small sums allotted. The
| annuity granted, is greatly insufficient
| for the general establishment of schools,
TO which parents i'll slender circumstances
might have the opportunity of sending
| their children every day, with tile certain.
| ~ OF their returning home al night. To
select iii obj cts OF that charity asst is now
| dispensed, an enquiry must necessarily
| be Instituted, which has mol unfrequenily
! proved highly offensive To- small culiiva
| tors, who feel a just pride of independence
| from The certaraty of being always able
| 10 furnish abundant food and rameni,
! for their families, by their own industry !;
| although wholly unable 10 provide for the
education of their children. May of
| them feel an unWliIinguess TO have their
names placed in a list of paupers, even
| for thar lnpoGtan. advantage. The task OF
| the commissioners for schools is render
ed more disagreeabie. often, by tina, cir
cumStance, than by the loss of time and
| the fatigue necessarily incurredI Never
! i,al. -. Il. a.. a
| generously, and so legIiimaiely granted,
"ill no, he hastily Withdrawn. While all
minds rejoice al The literally Of lie pro
vision made 10 facilitate transportation,
that all parts OF Tive territory susceptible
Of cultivation NAV receive il, aud HAT no
| part of the fruit, Oi Ile earth may be un-
prOti'ably consumed where they grow,
| certainly none could be pleased at IA
change which would again leave so many
promising germs OF capable intellect, ever
as abundant ia the cottages ef the poor
as IN the mansions OF the wealthy, 10 re-
main undet elOped and 90 perish unknown.
Perhaps more simple plan might be de-.
vised which would so into operation OF
| ltsrif, and not require so much grdtuiiOus
labour not likely TO he long chPerfully
| bestowed. The teachers of counly scli0els
| might be authorised to receive from the
Literary Fund, a moderate tuition fee, by
| the month, upon the exhibition of Ger.
tlficaie, signed by TWO magistrates, attest
ing The fact that the Child had been
taught. for so many months, and that The
parents were unable 10 pay the teacher
| themselves. As the amount of The ccrli-
ficates might possibly be greater than the
sum allotted for the county, a provision
would be requisite for tlIe courts 10
determine what persons should have the
benefit of the public donation. An en-
dofseneDt by the clerk upon suchas were
preferred, would make them good paper
TO The sheTiffs, who would receive in ex'