Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-17

and ui,ar, daily a, hourly depend upon the discreet
exercise of that will How then is this vii! TO be cor
rected, chastened, subdued? by education-that edu
cation the first rudneuts of which be acquired only
In common schools. How the millions of Ameri-
citizens TO be enabled compare their Govern
and institutions with those OF other countries?
IN estimate the civil and political privileges and bles
sings they enjoy? and to decide unders,andingy, whe
ther they ought not to protect and defend the Con-
sttu;ions under which they live? BY education. Has
the Legislature of each State ided all the
that wanted to this end? Is there nothing to
be done' Are all sufficiently educated? There are
some wealthy men, and many poor man in our land,
whose family and fireSide have vet been cheercd
by the light and benefits of common education. Is
there then necessity for the proposed measured Its
advantages must be admitted. That there heads
and hearts among waiting for instruction. cultYaton
improvement will not be denied. And that the
still wanted Through the inability Indifference
of individuals and of the States,) accomplish this
great purpose, cannot be doubted. Why hen delay
We are ut peace with the world. Our burthens arc
light. We have money 10 moet all the engagements
and cxigencies of the Government, aud some TO
spare.
costly defcnces of the country. The tooth of time will
away the granite. Our strong fotrcsses and gal
liant ships will decay But the young mind and heart,
expanded. enlightened, and disciplined, in common
schools, viii grow brighter and sounder by age Be
sides our relauce, under Cod for protection is upon
the arm OF flesh The impossible rampant liber-
Ties and institutions must be composed of intelligent
heads, and sound hearts. Our pauoply, in peace or
war, must be the heavng bosoms and vigorous arms of
enlightened and rirtuous (reemcn Shall we not then
afford TO ALL especially to the ignorant the poor the
destitute, the means at our command, the only means
perhaps, by which they acquire know ledger
who are the first 10 be benefited? The children of
farmers, mechanics, and manufacturers. Where do
we look, aud where must we look for the moral and
physical power of the nation To the agricultural and
mechanic interess-to the handicrafsmen of the land
Cnsoundness here will be fatal 1t is rottcnness the
heart Is Knowledge power: Does our power do our
liberties, do all we hold dear depend upon the WILL of
our fellow men, whether that will be left to the guild
ance OF enlightened reason, CT untempered igno-
rance! And shall VIC not provide the means we have
at hand Ofteachng the ignorant and destitute fo ranre
themselves beneath the Eagle and among The defend
crs OF freedom Or shall neglect them allogetLer
and leave them to be schoo!ed and disciplined by the
tatIInes and CAESARS of the day? Believing, there
iore that portion OF The proceeds of the public lands
may be spared that the diffusion Of common education
among the People is demanded by the highest consdo-
rat'ons of national glory and safety and that Congress
possesses both the power and the right to appropriate
them Tor thS purpose, the Committee submit tue follow
ing bill:
BILL creating a fund for the support Of Common
Schools in the several States.
BE IL cndctcd &c. That the first dav OF January
=. u. orc thousand eight hundred and twenty-seycn
and annually thereafter there shall be, and hereby is
appropriated, nifty per centum of the nett proceeds of
the moneys accrunG from the sales and entries of the
public lands, for the support, exclusively, of Common
Schools in the several States
Sec ,. .4al he IL fi,.IltcI, eaarIeH That tho said
hy per Centum of moneys aforesaid shall he annually
invested by the United States some productive fund
the interest or ether proceeds of which shall be annu-
ally apportinned among the several States ACCORDING
TO the established ratio of the representation of each
state IN the House of Representatives of the United
States at the time every such apportionment shall be
made, to be applied to the sole and benefit of Com
mon Schools in such manner the Legislature of each
State may, by law, direct.
Sec 8. Ind be il further enacted, That this act,
NJ any me alter ten years from the passing thereof
may be altered, modified, or repealed.
lhe bill was twice read and committed, with the
report to a Committee of the Whole