Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1839-08-10
For the Piney Woods Planter.
RANDOM THOUGHTS.
EDUCATION.

!
Among the many subjects that present
themselves to the minds of thinking be-
ings, for their consideration and dispas
sionate investigation, there is none, per.
haps, of so much Importance as that of ed.
ucation. Indeed, so intimately connect
ed, is education, with our happiness and
independence as nation, that to be mat
tentve to it, would show an indifference
and carelessness on our part, unworthy
the descendants of a patriotic ancestry
1t is a subject frought with the most mo.
mentous consequences, not only to the
present, but to the thousands of genera.
tons that shall come after us. Impressed
with the full Importance Of the subject,
the most distinguished statesmen of our
country, and those of Europe. arc devising
the best means for its general diffusion c.
mong the people. But legislative enact
ments will have but little influence IL the
people themselves do not feel the due i'm
portance which necessarily belongs to so
grave a matter. Bat question here ari.
SEES. How is spirit, for the general DIFF
fusion of knowledge, to be infused into
the people, who are themselves destitute
Of the blessing Of education? 1t cannot
be done by force, neither can il be done
by legislation, as all action on that subject
heretofore plainly shows. Congress NAV
appropriate lands for the advancement of
education, and the legislature of the diff.
ferent states in which those appropriated
lands may lie, may point out the mode of
application, but if the people, who have
the sole direction of their own children,
do not place them in situation to receive B
the advantages held out to them, then all .
action on the subject has been bit folly,
time and treasure thrown away. Lit
tie or no benefit has been derived, in the E
way OF education, from the lands granted
tor that purpose, and none can be expe,.
ted SO long as the funds remain unapped
to the objects for which they were origin.
ally intended 'Tis true, VIC NAV hone
that the money will ultimately be applied
TO education, but we must bear in mind
that the ''same or similar causes always
produce the same or similar effects,n and
that the causes that now prevent the pro.
per appropriation of the proceeds Of The
sixteenth section, must be removed. or the
same mlsapplication or no application at
I'll, of the funds, will continue to exist
It's not contended that the funds have
'een embezzled, or that there is any pro
ability Of such circumstance, hut it is
trongly intimated that proper spirit and
mercy, both on the part of the people and
hose who have the direction of the mo-
icy, has not been manifested in applying
to its legitimate object.
Nor can the neighborhoods, generally, r
n which schools are established, escape
ensure for not attending TO the interests
their children. The spring time Of life
too often spent in attending TO things OF
tile Importance, at home. In order to
sceve the applause producing extra
ale OF cotton or barrel of corn, many chll'
rem are retained at the plough or hoe;
nd thus, the most suspicious moments OIL
Students lite are sacrificed upon the all
T Of avarice. A majority Of the persons
no are destitute of education have oeeh
ade 80 from the wiIful neglect Of parents
I'd not from any want of means ana oP'
'rtunity to bestow upon them the ne'es'
ny education. This is a lamen'aO'O
ct.
Besides the motives Of gain, these az
Q causes, trivial in their nature, win'I
inspire to impede the general diffusion"