Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-17

lines OF the % INST. was peculiarly stTuCb
with the public spirit and energy displayed
in series of resolutions passed at the an.
nual meeting of the inhabitants of Town
ship No. 3, for school purposes. Your
iudicious remarks upon those resolutions,
meet my warmest appreciation; and sim
cerely unite with you, in wishing more
general extension and dissemination
throughout our county and State, of the
determinations expressed in
the above mentioned resolutions. 1t is q
amentable fact, and one greatly to be re-
GREETED, that Notwithstanding our school
laws are modelled after the most approved
of the eastern school systems, yet they are
in most counties dead letter, as far as re-
lates to any practical benefit resulting there
from. That there is a great degree Of
apathy among us upon the subject Of edu-
cation cannot be denied. The prevalence
of this apathetic feeling is not confined to
our section of country; it is not local in its
nature, but is diffused throughout the whole
of our noble State, from Iowa to Arkansas,
from the Mississippi to the Platte. Is it
asked how this insensibility to the promo
ton and success of common schools shall
be removed! I answer, not by legislation,
our representatives with wisdom honorable
to themselves and the State, have already
done every thing that could be desired. If
our school laws were rigidly enforced by
the Commissioners, Inspectors, Directors,
and Trustees of their respective townships,
better system could not probably be OBJ
ltained. We must look to the united and
simultaneous action of the people, collec-
lively and individually, for the removal of
4 this intellectual stupor. We must look to
parents--to the fathers and mothers of tho
rising generation--a generation which will
soon supply the places of its predecessors,
and which will ere long WELD the destinies
| of our great and beloved country. Let the
truth be impressed upon the mind of the
people, that the honor and glory of our
country and the promotion of its liberties
depend not SO much upon our rulers, who
aare exalted or abased by the breath of pub
! lie opinion, as upon ourselves, the great
democratic mass, the real nation. And in
! order that the sacred charter of our lber-
I ties may be preserved inviolate, in order
. that we may take with honor our rank
among the nations of the earth, we must
have population enlightened and educa-
ted. The affairs Of our nation, which
change hands continually require constant
succession of able minds. Soon would we
be subjects of despotic power if learning
should cease in our land. The days Of ig-
norance, superstition and anarchy would
be revived. If we wish as nation to be
free, and prosperous, we should cultivate
! knowledge not only parents but all officers
chosen under the provisions of our school
laws, should feel the rightful responsibilities
resting upon them. They have been hon.
ored by their fellow-citizens, in being called
to fill important stations, which, though no,
yielding any emoluments are posts of honor.
Too much care cannot be taken in the Sc
lection of school officers. None but such
as are perfectly qualified should be elected
by the people at their township meetings,
3Ihere are instances of some who are called
: inspectors, who never visit their respective
schools Of trustees and directors whose
memories and photography would be re.
freshed and improved by perusal of Web
sters spellng-book.
In addion to the action of the people, We
invoke the powerful aid of the Press, to
z arouse the public mind, to lay before the
community the importance of organizing
every townshid and establishing therein
common schools. To the influence of the
Press we owe many of the revolutions Of
modern days. May the Missouri press
zealously advocate general intellectual inn
Hprovement. 1t is to be hoped the example
set us by Township No. 2, as regards the
employment of qualified teachers will have
Ia good effect. There are too many min
mics and pretenders who call themselves
teachers and impose upon the public, All
Eteachers should be examined before being
Eallowed to teach. Many are permitted to
+ teach who are extremely ignorant, thus
causing more evil than good. Let us
awake fellow-citiZens to our real interests.
and join in disseminating the benefits OF
knowledge and common school education
tosa