American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-01-11
GOYED.NOR'S .1EESS.4GE
To TINE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF,
DELAWARE,
Delivered at Dover, January Z, 1899.

Delivered at Dover, January 9, 1899.
FelipzY citizens If tie Senate
ana ofthe House Of Representatives,
The Governor of Maryland has communities
ted to me Report with sundIy Resolutions re-.
a.ive o appropriations OF Puoc Land for the pur.
poses Of Educator" which have been assented To-
by the General Assembly of that state. These re.
solutions declare That each of the United States
has an equal light to participate in the benefit of
the Pubic Lands, the common property of the
Union" and THAT the States, in whose favor
Congress have not made appropriations of land Tor
the purposes Of education, entitled to such APP
preparations, will espond in Just proportion.
with those heretofore mad in favor of the other
States That measures may be adopted for car
Trying into fleet this principles is the object Of the
resolutions lay before you the report with the
resolutions. also lay before you communications
received from the Governors of New. Hampshire
New Jersey and Vermont by which you will seeo
that the legislatures OF these states have approved
these resolutions
The correctness of the principle affirmedby these
resolutions seems to be satisfactorily established.
and probably upon grounds of policy, the funds con-
tempIated could not be appropriated to wiser
or better purpose, than that recommended Buc
although the object shall be approved by Congre $50
delay must attend the accomplishment of it and z
would ugest 10 you the propriety of giving further
attention 10 the subject Ut Education, and adopting.
other measures IN relation to it, than can proceed
from any view, which you may take OF these reso~
lutlons.
No subject can be presented to your minds OF
greater importance OF more general concern thano
thar OF devsing the besl practic bic means Of pro.
noting the education OF the great body of the peos
pie OF this State he subject is certainly embar-.
rassed with many difficulties, but it is Of such vital
interest that 1t ought not to be neglec ted, and the,
difficulties that attend it. instead of PRODUCING dis
: couragement should excite determined diligence
and Perse'e rlng exeron. The value of educetion
IS too great and too obvious to be illustrated Upon
1t depends the intellectual, moral and religious
character OF the c2mmuni;y /! has an nsepa able
connection with the imp ovement and prosperity Of
, the State and every one. who has a right in our
SOIL or place in our society is subject to our eos
Vernment IS Interested in ITS diffusion among our
citIzenso
upon SUBJECT OF such moment it is matter fer
surprise and regret. hat not an experiment oE
. public patronage has been made In the State No
pan ioF assisting to extend the benefits of edcca--
uoh 70 I people has been matured by the Taegis.
iatuTc. ] his neglect certainly has not proceeded
!, from indifference bnt probably from an apprehens
slon that the St9te did not possess means to carry
: any adequate system into effect II is true, our
means are limited; nevertheless if iudt iouslv an.
pied hey might effect very important purposes,
according to the principles of our government the
public cannot and ought not to take upon itself the
entire charge OF any concerns, in which individuals
nave direct, personal interest; the general tenn
dency is to leave such concerns care of those,
to whom they more Immediately belong But the
Legislature may give an Useful direction to the a-s
tenlion OF The community, and by assisting TO com.
- bine their efforts, enable them to accomplish what
y Without such direction would not be thought OF and
with out such continuation would be mpracticablc.
Universal experience proves, that If there. be no le.
gal provision with respect to education it will ethics
Srom being underval ed or deeMed upattainable be-
NEGLECTED of
counry and that to induce the people generally to
of appreciate and seek its advantages their minds muse
il be excited and the of oblyinng these adyan-
ot ages placed IN their view Ip this State lnd, dll-
= ais have done much Tor the promotion Of edncuton,
but they cannot do all that cur condition reuujres,
h AID probably the greatest diff uIty is TO create thag
st permanent egard to this subject, which your coun.
n tenance and encourasem would be calculated &c
e produce
e Our counties have not been divided into school
e districts, and we have Few school houses A aiyi
l. SION OF q counties into school districts rnigh be
effected either without expense ar at very tfilng
chacge' Is this division should he made The atien.
rioh OF the inhabitants Of the districts would as a
matter of course be directed to the support of a
lschooi rtions OF the income of the school lund
imghi be rendered to them upon condition. that thew
1t. should raise other specified by con ribuo, s.
he Tosecure what woul be thus offered BY the public
or the requisite contributors in many, if not in ali
ot would be made; rivalshps would arise ann.
IT. diierent Districts and it is believed thai school hou.
" would be built and hooIs supported a great
tn purpose will be answered, if system be in,io-
I'd duced and the people, in having the subject before
IS them. be induced to concerning the impor.
hi lance of education and be enabled to see, that tho
IS, means oil it are within their power.
y The Schools. in which the pubic have an imme.
il diae interest and TO which, it IS with Difference
q suggested that your attention shculd be principally