Piney Woods planter and Amite union literary reflector. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1838-1838, 1838-02-10
EDUCATION IN MISSISSIPPI.

Efforts are being made in this state to call the
attention of the people and Legislature to lhis
all important subject. There was convention
lately called and attended by the friends and
promoters of education, at Jackson; who deserve
the thanks and aid of every lover Of his country
We hope their efforts may be successful. They
spoke of sending competent persons to other
parts to examine other systoms,--to report con-
corning the best mode both of imparting and re-
ceiving knowledge, with view to adopt what is
good in other systems practiced by other people
in other parts of our country, for the purpose of
combining the better parts with that in use a
mong us. This is all well--t would be well
too if legislative enactment could be obtained in
aid of go noble and patriotic cause: but what
will all avail if the people generally are not &C.
tive. Reports on systems and appropriations
cannot educate our youths Individual exertion
the combined efforts of every member of socie-
ty, arc necessary: if appropriations could educate
us, we would be all educated-it will not.
The press-the newspaper press is the lever by
which motion can be given to public sentiment;
the reading and enquiring few in every neigh
borhood know and place just value on educa-
ton: they complain, and Justly too, of the in
difference manifested by their neighbors who
will not aid in the support of a school, and as it
is too heavy matter mostly for one or few to
pay the salary of good teacher, they are COM
PEELED to either send their children from home.
to be educated, or to suffer them to grow up IL
ignorance.
Can you defer for month after month, to plant
your cotton corn and expect crop in quanti-
ty and quality good as if planted in season?
Youth is the time to plant the seed of knowl
edge! Some consider this duly: hence the cause
of complaint. How is this cause of complaint to
be removed-this evil to be got read of! Read
cr, will give you my opinion on the subject
now, and will be glad to hear yours at any time
Instruct the parents and others who have the
care of children first: convince them of the ne
cessity and Importance of educeting their child
rem, &c. To effect this, many ways may be Ia
kenny conversation, by public lectures, but
by no way so efectually as by putting into their
hands newspaper, in WHICH they can see the
whole subject clearly, and its advantages fully
and forcibly set forth. The parent loves the
child; no principle is stronger, certainly none so
in the human breast as the love of the
parent for the child. How is it then, that they
neglect their education, and leave them exposed
to all who may choose to take advantage of their
ignorance; to say nothing of the exposure to
which the uncducated, unfortified mind is liable
from the attack of the passions.
Not because the parent does not love the
child, just the contrary, they love and would
make the child happy, but unfortunately, not
having known or felt the pleasures of education
they value it not, If such persons can eat, drink
and dress fine, all is well-mouey will buy these;
hence the parents sets an undue value on money
and its equivalent, and thinks the child will be
happy in proportion to his wealth. Remove this
error and more is done for the cause of education
in Mississippi than would be by an appropria-
ton Of half the annual revenue of the state In
the childs hearing would the parent talk as
much, as well and often of knowledge, as of
money matters generally, no doubt the child
would think as well of it. What the parent
likes or dislikes the child likes or dislikes, and
these early opinions are most lasting: in the &C.
emulation of knowledge, we ought to take
lesson from the mser, who counts over and over
his boarded treasure, so should the scholar ex
amino often what he deposited in the storehousc
Of the mind, adding little by little-stil cxarnin
ing and counting. As the store-keeper arranges
goods on his shelves, not expecting to add to
the quantity by such an arrangement, but ena-
bic him the better to use and show to advantage
those he has.
Man acts from motive, so docs the child, in.
luce either to taste of the fruit of the tree Of
and they will obtain it at any and
'ycry sacrifice.
IL A