Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-07-03

There was time when the Governor OF State
ives the second man IN the nation but things ate
changed. l nod mammoth power grown up in the
heaTt oil the Confsderecy, which is fast swallowing
Gp the States: and now blush 10 see Governors Of
states coming here and suing to subaltern officers
OF this Governmen, FOR subaern Offices under them!
fes, the Governor Of State, with a wealthy ter
r.tory excee ing the limits of England coming and
cringins for miserable office TO miserable Secre-
tary!
l might take up the subject OF education simply
and press the bill on that ground alone. As the
matter now stands, this Government has made do
nations of the public lands to some States for pur-
poses OF education, and not TO Others; thete Is tao
equality: 10000 ncres have been given for free
schools, and for colleges over half million. ma
tons power arises more from mind than IRON mere
matter; 1t is morc intellectual than physical; the
human mind, when fully developed, enlightened,
and combined in social org alton, is as nearly
! omnpotent rs any thing created can be IN this
world. IL wielis at once morsl, physical, and po-
ltical power. IL is therefore the duty OF every e-
glSator To further the interests OF education To the
utmost of his ability and opportunities. II any gen.
tleman will look at the last census, he will there
see the deplorlOlc condition OF education IN some
portions OF our country. Ii any member shall rise
and oppose this bill turn.his eyes upon a pic
ture OF this kind that will sicken his heart. IT, them
the bill stood on that ground alone ought TO pass
with unanimous acclamatIon; Tor II supplies the
means of conveying. the light OF knowledge To eve
ry domic in the land; IL will build temple TO
Il
trained those future legislators who shall hli these
halls. Look around on this floor, and see at this
ment how many are here assembled Who roselrom
very humble origin, aud whom nothing but the wand
OF educa ton could have raised, and transformed,
| and honored with The power OF making the laws OF
their country. Ii Is not pedigree which, in this
country, can raise a man TO Parliament lis mind,
and the effect ofknowedse upon mind that lifts up
men TO the highest honors Of this free and happy
Republic.
But have exhausted the patience of this House
and no" return to gentlemen my cordial thanks
for their courtesy and attention. ] will now bring
my remarks to conclusion by expressing my anx
lous hope that, after proper lime has been allow cd
Tor discussion, we shall seize the earliest fitting op
portunity to bring the debate close and TO take
the bill out Of committee | am most willing to lis.
ten TO gentlemen: but must really hope that the
action of the House will be consumtna,ed within the
present week.
The CHAIRMAN then gave the floor to
Mr. CLIFFORD, of Maine, who, for the first
few sentences was scarcely heard. MIR &.
derstood TO say that he desired submit some OBJ
seryaIions the distribution feature OF the Bill
lie was not aware that any question pending
before the committee, and therefore, for the purpose
OF avoiding al! difficulty points of order, and that
he might be enabled to 60 no the merits, he would
move 10 strike out the enactlns clause oil the bill.
And the question being that motion
Mr. Clifford proceeded TO make his speech, which,
most unfortunately was not concluded when
the hour o'clock arrived for dournmGnt, and the
House adjourned.