Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-05-13

Messrs. Editors.-Pefmit subscriber throu Oh
the medium OF your paper, 10 call the attention Of
the public 10 IA subject which is believed by your
humble correspondent TO be Of no minor interest to
the citizens Of this State. | mean Education; the in
cacnahle advantages Of which have never been duly
appreciated by majority of the people of this
try but more especially has il been much neg
lected by the citizens OF this State. feel dis
position whatever to the field Of political strife.
for frankly acknowledge | command neither
time nor talents; but when in free aud republican
government like ours. where the supreme power is
lodged in the people, see education. the general
diffusion Of which is obviously be essential 10
national prosperity, treated with so much neglect,
and might almost say contempt. cannot in The
absence Of an ADLER and better advocate, withhold
my humble voice. | deeply sensible of my utter
incompetency to do any thing like Justice the
paramount Importance OF education nor am | SO
presumptuous asto attempt it. In making these few
remarks. therefore, | only cherish the ardent hope,
that shall be able to direct the attention of the
tellgent an rejecting protlon of the community 10
The mperious necessity OF the present defective
tenn of instruction, provide more elfe tuay for
extending the limits OF liberal education all clas-
ses OF our community. TO the poor less than the
rich. A. hint to tile wise is sufficient. Aud II shall
succeetin eicltlng support of this sub lect, some
genius, who can weld a more powerful pen than
can. and shall be able fully expose the deplorable
deficiency IN the present confused system of COM
mon schools, and TO awaken the hitherto apparently
dormant sensblllties of the public clear per
lion in this important branch of political economy,
lwili have fully realized my most sanguine expecta-
tons, IN making my first appearance before the pub
lie. You may well recoecI, Messrs. Editors, that
Gov Campbell, than whom in my humble opinion,
no man is emineny Distinguished for practical
sense, true patriotism and an earnest desire to pro-
mote the best interests of the Stale did both in his
hrst ana last annual message to the Legislature
pose the present system of education pursued by the
State and urged the subject upon their serious and
most attentive consideration. He proved most
slusively that the system WAS defective that II di,
not anwer the ends contemplated by the provision:
OF the Literary fund.- instu ted in 1918, and show
from statements furnished by the clerks of five cit
anu borough counties, and thirteen county courts
lnrepy to inquiries address ed to them to ascertain tn
NUMBER OF those who applied 70, marriage license
mat IN 1917 the year before the present system
Unpopular instruction commenced, out of 4654 aI
p.'cah's, il2I were unable read or write, and
Aoo|' after lapse OF nearly 20 years rom the con-
mencement of the present system, of 46l4 appI
cants IO47 were unable TO write their names iron
"n,ch II was evident that comparatively speaking
no'i''ng or al least very little has been done,
'"' most alarming extent Of ignorance still col
"ues 10 renect disgrace upon The freedom OF ot
tcai institutions, and in fact that il is hardly le
wa" was 70 years ago. Hence the mperious NJ
r's"y OF further legislation upon the subject. An
w would ask. has it been thus long neglected
10y eoes It still continue TO be neglected J.. VIM
s."e1 states Of "ur happy Union. more conslderat
eIe"png the advantages of IA liberal aud unvers
y:'eh OF instruction. why does our Legislature dI
10 notice this subject the consideration OF whi'
n." nus "een twice successfully urged upon them by OF
p'esen' most excellent Governor Why dd the
r' over this part Of his last annual message VIII
I n' contempt! Is education Of no Importance
'uolect too tr'fln. lar the consdeftiio' .