Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-01-21

bic to read and write. In many counties
in this State, schools do not exist, where /
the Ordinary rudinents of education can |
be obtained The Legislature that estab.
fishes a system of free schools, where ev-
dry child, rich and poor, can obtain knowl- |
edge at the same fountain free of charge, !,
viii be immortalized in the annals of the |
State. The system here, as every where
else. may be unpopular at first with the |
selfish and contracted, but eventually will |
find favor with all, when its glorious re-
suits shall have been witnessed. Despots |
strive to chain the mind, and keep their
subjects in the labyrinths Of ignorance
Freemen seek to open the portals of
knowledge TO the poor and humble, as we'll
as the rich and exalted. As knowledge
progresses, tyranny disappears; and his
tory does not afford an example of peo-
| pie, long held in bondage, where the whole
population were educated. To protect
our rights, they must not only be under.
stood, but all must be able to combine to
maintain them. This can only be done,
by bringing TO the aid of physical power,
the lights Of experience and science.
/ The money collected to sustain free
schools, will again be expended among
those who contributed it, and hazard lit
tie in asserting, that at least million of
I dollars annually taken out of the State to
educate the youth of the land, would re.
main with US if the proposed system should
be adopted. It. will be admitted that the
morals of students would be preserved by
keeping them at home where they would
constantly be under the supervision of
their parents and guardians. Their love
of country would also be preserved and
general health promoted, by imbibing
knowledge at home under the care of In
structors having feelings congenial with
our own insututions-in the climate where
they were born and will solourn.
The present law requires the Auditor OF
Public Accounts to invest all monies, ac-
, cruing to the Literary fund in stock of the
| Planters Bank. That stock is now be-
: low par, and it is quite probable that no
, regular dividend can be obtained for some
' time. therefore suggest the propriety Of
making some other provision for its invest
f ment. The stock heretofore taken in the
Bank has been divided among the OLD
, counties, and the boards of Police are au
thorized to draw the dividends. 1t is be-
f lieved that but little benefit has accrued tc
e the counties by the transfer, and 1t is wor
/. thy of your consideration whether better
plan could not be adopted to secure tht
n benefits it is capable Of offording. Tht
: money invested in the stock of the Plan
: ters' Bank on account of that fund, amounts
10 the sum of sixty-six thousand, nine hun
!. bred and thirty six dollars, and thirty thre'
= cents, most of which has been placed t.
!. the credit Of the several counties.
! 1t affords me great pleasure 10 be ena
n bled TO inform you that much success ha
i attended my efforts TO organize the militia
IS Many of the regiments are fully organized
). and numerous efficient, well disclpline'
IF Volunteer Companies have been forme
d and armed in various sections of the State
10 We are now prepared TO protect our ow
r. rights, and at all times enabled to respon
g to the calls of the General Governmer
10 when troops are required. | earnestly urg
d upon you the great importance of prov
'. ding by law for the appointment of an In
If spector General of the Militia of the State
$. and for Brigade encampments of the con-
missioned officers once in each year.
N would be we'll to require such assemblage
:. to be held alternately in the several cour
!, ties ofthe brigade, and to be there drllle
- for the period of three days by the lnspeC
:. - tor General, and reviewed by the Genera
7, Of Brioades and Divisions. The regimen
~ Of the county might be required TO parao
u at the same period. | am assured TIL
!, such system would soon catise the con
~ i, plete organization of every regiment in Il
70 State. A rigid enforcement of the collie
- ton of fines from delinquents, would affol
: a fund sufficient to procure tent cloth
- music and standards. Under the exlstil
!. law, Captains and Subalterns are not r
= CURED to equip themselves; and much d
! fculty exists in several ofthe regiments
. getting suitable officers to accept tho
- stations. To obviate this inconvenience
Dc I suggest the necessity ofthe passage of
~ law, compelling officers elected to tho
~ grades, to serve for the term of four yeal
- and Of exempting them from the perforr
a. ance of militia duty in times of peace aft
u that period. 1t being impossible for t
= officers Of the militia to procure prop
y, books of instruction in military exercis
al in this State, took the responsibility
ne purchasing 1000 copies of "Cooper's Ia
u y tics" for the regulation and discipline
~, the militia, and have distributed the
nu among the officers of the several re!
ny ments. The total amount of the cost
la books purchased was. seven hundred al
os' seventy.three dollars and eighty-sev
en- cents, and respectfully request an eaI
,ne appropriation to be made for the payne
Ia of the account. This system is high
N approved, and has been adopted by mai
zee Of our sister States. am not aware tn
ATE Congress has prescribed any discipline /
lal training the militia of several State
ray and in order to produce uniformity in t
me discipline ofthe militia of this State,
commend the passage of a law adoptil
lro Major Cooper's book Of discipline.
~ | dsem it my duty to call your ate
=. ton to the Judicial legislation Of several
T. our Courts. In many cases parties a
ue' prohibited from being heard by counsel
ouen court, but are required by standli
'1s rules to submit written arguments al
~ briefs Of the authorities relied upon. II
- :" precludes reply to the arguments al
r authorities adduced by the opposite part
- and places it in the power of the Judge
.D- ,a.ioolr the administrations cited to the ma