Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-31
LIT MEAEY CADI-.
PROVIDENCE. WEDNESDAY. OCT. J
TIE LEGISLATURE.


Of :his doliberaiive assembly.
In tho course Of tho session. numerous top
les will be presented TO the Legislature to be
acted upon, and among oihors, tho propre'y
Of establishing ono or two new banks, will be
called up for consideration; tho expectancy Of
establishing free schools, and :ho recessity o
rcmodeling the laws relative 10 The impr'son-
mcnt Of ndyiduals for dobt: all OF which, It is
to be hoped, will obtain the attentive consld-
Grafton Of every member Of the assembly.
We learn that an association OF capitalists,
residing in the western part Of the town, have
pc.tioned the Legislature for the charter of a
Bank, and as we can see no possible objection
10 the establishment OF such an institution in
that se ction Of the town, where banking es-
tablishment is much wanted, we hope that tie
prayer Of the petitioners will he granted
Regulated as our banking systom is al present.
we cannot conceive that any danger can arise
from tho granting OF bank charters; and it is
cur undivided opinion, that any body of cit-
zens, who appeal to the Legislature for banking
privileges should be heard, and their petition
granted, provided they can give satisfactory
assurances Of the proprieity of thor intentions
and ofthCir ability TO comply with and conform
to the provisions Of their charter. BY refusing to
grant tho petitions Of applicants for banking
privileges, the Legislature, in effect, sanction
the 'Gea OF sustaining monopoly the most
odious and offensive Of ak things, and in open
oppoIi,ion to The Constitution Of the country
and gran, to The Gtic whit they refuse to the
many.
Tho petitioners for the Bank, OF which We
are now speaking, arc all known to be men of
wealth, Of sterling merit and integrity, who
have long aborcd to advance the prosperity
OF the town and State; and wo know not why
petition, coming from quarter 20 rcspccta-
bic and efficient, should not be granted.
Entertaining for the petitioners, we do,
the most profound respect, and believing that
a banking institution, located in that particu-
lar section OF the town, would be Of infinite
consc quence to the trade and commerce that
is there carried on, We hape that they will
meet with success ut tho hands Of the General
Assembly.
Tire subject of &" Free Schools" is ono Of
infinite Importance, and should claim the inn
mediate and undivided attention of the .Legs-
! laturc. We do not deem il necessary to urge
! upon body of intelligent men like that which
forms the General Assembly of Rhode Island,
the necessity or expediency of esta blishing an
institution, which Of al! others is prc-emnently
calculated to enhance tho happiness, the pros
pcrity and wisdom of tho people; for VIC have
too high an opinion of their intelligence. their
liberality and honest zeal, in whatever relates
to the well being OF the Commonwealth, to
suppose that they are insensible to the advan-
tagcs which must inevitably result from the
Free School system.
The subject, as we understand, will be
brought before them; and, although somo of
the members have been scandalously abused
and wilfuly condemned, and held up TO public
scorn. by newspaper writer, who it seems.
has supposed that ho could drirc them, by
hard words and .;!o ep,;ha,s, to the adopt on
| Of the Free School system, we hope they will
forget these shameful ATTACKS, or, remember
mg the source from whence they emanatcd.
tIeat thom with contempt, and cordially uni;c
with tho friends of education, in king an
effort to establish an institution, which, whilst
it benefits the present generation, cannot fail
TO confer the lights of instruction, and tho at
| tributes Of wisdom, OH those who are destined
TO ell, at no dstun, day, tho places which their
fathers now occ"py. And although wo arc
, not willing 10 admit that the citizens of Rhode
Island are behind the citizens Of any Of their
sister communities in intelligence, and all the
essentials which can make n people respected
| at homo and abroad, still, for The benefit Of
the unfortunate, tie indigcnt and the la ploss,
we cannot bu, hope that the FREQ School sys-
tom will succeed, and that its beniiicent opera
tions will be felt and acknowledged. by the
whols State.
II was finely remarked by Madame de Stael
Holstein to Mr.. Clay, that people, endowed
with the benefits of education, can never be
conquered or depressed; and il We wish to
, make our offspring happy and independent,
lot us award TO thom the matchless bountIes
Of Education. If, when tho Danes overrun
the Island of Britain, they had me, with civ
| ilzed and an educated race of people, they
would not have gone on to conquer and TO
conquosts; and the ambitious Cesar would
have been stayed in bis course, had ho con-
tended with the civilized and enlightened.
The subject Of Free Schools. is one of vast
importance, wo repeat, and we indulge a fond
hope, that our Legislature, will take it up in
+" sober seriousness and create an institu-
tion, so noble in itself, and so grand in it, op-
orations; and thould they do this, the day will
not he far distant, when the chimings OF the
{" Free School Bell" will sound from one end