Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-12-06

W lOeVcr may exercise tnc powers OF Inc
Chief Magistracy, they will be exercised in
obedience to the will of the adverse MAORI.
ty. So long as this state Of things shall
continue; so long as the Executive govern.
ment of the United States shall be conduct.
ed by an administration holding principles
incompatible with the full security of our
institutions and rights; no statesman Of S.
Carolina can become associated with that
administration, without justly incurring the
imputation Of becoming an accomplce in
overthrowing the essential guarantees other
vital interests. He cannot worship the sun
Of Federal power, and offer up the homage
of devoted heart on the altars of the
State.
If the politicians Of all the planting States
would act upon these obvious principles,
our rights and institutions would be speedi-
ly placed upon a foundation which nothing
could shake in future. The whole ofthose
States would be united upon principles es-
scntial TO their very existence, and standing
upon the ramparts ofthe Constitution, in de.
fence of their sacred rights, would pre-
sent 4 phalarx which no assailing power
could overcome.
But, however other States may think or
act on this subject, trust these will always
be the principles Of South Carolina, and that
they will be sacredly regarded and faithful
iy observed by I'LL her public functionaries.
| sincerely believe that they constitute the
talisman OF her political strength, and that if
maintained, they will throw around her in
sttutions a magic circle, which neither am
bi.ion nor Eanaticism will venture TO over
leap. Leaving then the federal Govern.
ment 10 run lis fated career, and standing
proudly aloof from all those intriguing COM
bnations, and "cntangling alliances" by
which politicians may hater themselves that
thev are serving their constituents, when they
are promoting their own aggrandzement,
let us dedicate all our faculties, and all our
efforts, to the improvement of our beloved
Safe. in all that can contribute to her i'll
teiligence, wealth, power, and security.
In the accomplishment of these patriotic
ends, TOO much attention cannot be beStow-
ed on the subject ofeducalion, in all its sta
ges, and in all is branches. And, | beg
leave, most respectfully, to refer YOU to the
views contained in my last annual Message,
in relation to the schools of elementary in
struction. 1t is in these humble semnaries.
that the rising generation receive those early
impressions, which exercise apcrmanent and
decided influence upon their conduct and
character in future life.
They are cmphatically the nurseries of
frcemen, and the wisdom fthe State can in
no way so cfectually provide for the per-
petuation of our free inst utions. as by mea.
sures calculated to elevate their character,
bv securing competent instructors, and fur
nishing fortheir use such elementary school
books, as will imbue the minds of our youth
with sound and practical views, religious,
moral and political.
No cons itutional charter, however wise its
provisions, can give freedom to people.
We must have free men before we can have
q free Government and VIC cannot be too
deeply impressed with tho conviction that
the es en- ial qualifications of freeman,
are intelligence 10 comprehend his rights
and interests, with the spirit and the military
skill, which are necessary to defend them.
The fatal experience of but too many ma
tons, and communities around US, conclu-
sivcly demonstrates, that where the great
body Of the people are destitute of these
qualifications, every attempt at self-govcrn-
nlent must end in some new form Of despo-
tism. In my opinion our systems ofSchool
instruction, should be made 10 assume a
more prac ical character, having a more
direct reference to the business and the du-
ties of active life. The common reproach
against classical education, that it tends 10
disqualify our young men from performing
these duties, is not without some foundation.
1t is not uncommon TO meet with scholars,
well vcrscd in the systems Of ancient poly
theism, in the fables Of the ancient poets,
and in the scarcely less fabulous narratives
of the ancient historians, who have scarcely
a smattering of the history and constitutions
of their own country. The effect produced
on the minds of young men by u too exclu-
sve attention to such course of reading
in our schools and colleges, is similar to that
which is produced on the minds of young
females, by reading sentimental novels. 1t
introduces them into world Of fancy, en-.
,irely different in all respects, from that in
which they are destined to act part, and
evidently tends 10 disqualify them from act
ing that part, amidst the rugged realities Of
life. TO counteract this tendency, Il con.
else popular history of our own country
written in pure and simple style, and a
clear exposition Of the great fundamental
principles Of our system OF Government
should be introduced into all our Grammar
Schools. For the purpose of etfectlng this
desirable result. means should first be adopt
ed for obtaining these works, and to secure
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