The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1839-10-24

There is no subject that SO much re-
quires the early attention of our next Lee
gislaive Assembly, as the establishment
Of a common school system. tits mat
ter demanding their serious consideration
and efficient action. 1t is one, in which
the people of this Territory are deeply in
terested and upon which more than upon
all others, our future prosperity and great.
ness depends. We presume there is not
a man to be found who is not in favor of
their establishment sometime, and we
cannot see. why our Legislature will not
take hold of the matter at an early dav.
Procras:ination will but create new obsta.
cles, which will grow stronger and more
numerous every year. Delays generally
produce weakness and sometimes an Ell.
tire inability. is said by some that it
cannot be done now, because we are in a
Territorial government, and must wait
until we become State.' We cannot see
the cogency of this reason. The fact of
our having Territorial Government is no
impeachment in the way. Our Legisla-
ture has an undeniable right to establish
such a system Of schools as they may
deem expedient. They can enact what
law they please respecting the disposal of
the government donations. True their
acts would be subject to the supervision
of Congress, but let it be remembered,
Congress has not yet fixed a penalty up
on knowledge, or offered reward for ig-
norance. 1t will require some time to d.
gest and detail perfect system, and a
long time for it to be put in successful op-
Grafton. For this reason it should be
commenced now; and commenced on a
scale that will at once do credit to the Lee
gislature and honor to Iowa. We have
heard many praises bestowed upon the
Michigan system. We doubt not it is an
excellent one but it appears to us to be
too complicated. Too many officers are
required and too much money expended,
lpt in procuring teachers, but in paying
those officers. But let it with all others
be carefully examined and we believe
there will be members in our next Legis-
lative Assembly, fully competent to devise
the best system ever adopted; and we be-
lieve we are right in saying that the peo-
pie of this Territory demand the full ex-
ercise of all their powers in this matter.
Let it not hereafter be said, that they
were the prime cause Of darkness cover
ing the land and gross darkness the peo-
ple-but rather we ask them, to let their
names be associated with the noblest and
most useful institution of our country.
We ask them but to place crown of
earthly glory upon their own heads, which
always is prepared for the friends of edu-
cation and the benefactors of their race.
THANKSGIVING IN WIscoNslN.-It was
our intention, in copying the excellent
Proclamation of Gov. DODGE last week,
to have accompanied it with some re-
marks in relation to this time. honored ill.,
bilee--but our time was so much occupi-
ed on account of the enlargement of the
paper, that we could not then follow out
our inclination. The proclamation was
made at the request of the members of
the Legislative Council, and we presume
was done rather as u mark of honor. and
continued attachment to the ancient Gus
torn of their native States. The very
mention of the day recalls to the mind of
New Englander or New Yorker, the
most pleasing and endeared associations.
He is carried back in imagination to the
land Of his nativity. lie once more stands
upon the sterile soil and rock bound shores
of New England. The companions Of
his youth, his play fellows and school
mates are all recalled to his recollection.
His mind dwells upon their former mirth
and innocence, their bright anticipations
and their present condition. He enters
again the paternal dwelling. He greets
his brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts
and cousins gathered together on this i'm
portant day from almost every part of the
Union. He once more experiences ia
theirs kindness and mothers solicitude.
He once more mingles his voice in the
solemn song Of family worship, and again
kneels before the family altar. He is once
more in the village church, listening to
the sacred truths dispensed from the pull
pit, and again seats himself at sumptu-
Gus thanksgiving dinner. What quiet en-
joyment, and what rational amusements,