Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1841-12-23

p9rtaiil snh)scf. Happily great uiianim-
NY prevails As t, slse expedaency OF ST
farisn. every facility toi q L general dif-
tusson oi isdasasios.. The oaly qurs.
ton about which there can BIZ diversity
ot op,aian. is to the nude of accomplish
ing tbs desirable end. Virginia has al
really effected much by her liberal poilcs;
aud her failure TO realize I'll the bsut-
s fits anil cisMted fre.n her present system Is
attributable, pslhaps as inurh to its ia
efficient execution, Is to lis defects. Iu
extend, however, te al classes Of sacie-
u, the iaestinable blessings Of eslaca-
tioa, reqairss an augmentation Of the
fund devoted to this object. In what
panner it should beiacredsrsi. -whe lher
By approximations from tn. Ireasury, -
by specific tax imposed by the l4eglsla-
tire, or By voluntary act Of the eoaaties,
are all questi for consideration. III
my estimation, it viii be NEST advisable
ioaath,r.ze each county. with the con-
Sent Of the people previously obtained.
to raise such sum. as with The present
allowances from the Literary Funl &
vo!ant.ay contributions. wasl be sufficient
for the object in view. This power
would enable every portion Of the Com
manweaith to adapt its policy to its Pc
cuiar position and circumstances.
The operation of various, causes in
territory so extensive and eliversiEiedas
ours, may rendsr that appropriate in oae
county, which would be inexPedient in
another. The sparse population. the
distances to travel, the local difficulties
t. encounter, the pecuuiary resources of
the people. in some sections Of the State,
would not Justify the Imposition Of any
additional tax, and the appropriation al
ready made might be sufficient. In other
sections, different cotliiiition would war
rant more extensive plan, and a much
larger expenditure. The people of each
county would judge Of their own wants,
and the fact that the AMOUNT To be raised
would be expended far the benefit Of. The
county, would cause II to lie more cheer
fully paid, and induce strict supervis-
ion Of its administration. It would be
further advisable to authorize the appli-
cation OF the amouat thus raisel, either
to the primary schools, or to any acade-
nv within the limits Of the county. as
might be deemed expedient BY tha school
commissioners.
Whether the present system be contin-
ued, and these or other notifications be
made, or new system be thought more
advisable it should be cardial object,
that while by adequate remuneration
competent teachers are selected, the
cost Of tuition shalt be 50 reduced as to
bring the advantages of education within
the reach Of the Judgment. While am
pie provision should be made evi t a5 p
mary schools, our colleges and acade-
mics, especially the latter, should not be
neglected. The University has received
liberal endowment from the State, and
we now enjoy the fruits OF the e!llighten
ed policy Of its feuade.. Tie primary
schools have obtained a portion Of the
same bounty, and it is desirable to adj
vance them by further assistance, to e.
qualsimportance and utility. The col
leges as.d academies have not yet recei-
we'd that patronage from the State, to
which they are entitled. Some of the
former, it is true, are in fl .urishins con
dition, and have widely dispersed their
blessings, having been sustained by indi-
vitlual effort and private patronage, but
most of the latter require assistance
One of the causes of the failure of our
present school system is the want of pro-
perly educated teachers. We ha We been
heretofore almost entirely depend lent up
on other States for instructors of our
youth. But, we foster TIE institutions Of
or own State, at whlch the higher branch
es OF learning are obtained, we may sup
ply our schools with suitable teachers,
imbusd with our own principles and feel
ings, accustomed to our habits and quail
lied to eniighten our children in the
mode we approve. Should this patron
age be extended to these institutions, |
wouldsuggest, that they be required to
Instruct, free of charge, limited num-
bsr OF sac!. INDECENT children as may
have been Distinguished in the primary
schools for their proficiency s. good con-
duct. This would operate as double in
censiSe. encouraging parents and stimula
ting The pupils, anu at the same time at
Forsiing class from among whom might
be selected competent instructors for
the primary schools. 1t is essential to
the foil development Of our syste IN, that
each description of schools sh ould be
made su5servient to the dissemination OF
liberal education. With this view,
deem II proper to call your attention to
the Medical College at the seat Of gov
ernmcnt. AT present. it s branch OF
the College of Hampden sydney, Ioca-
ted here on account OF the. pepulih faeii-
Tres af,rled by city to such an institu-
ton. Estab' ished by individual enter
prise alone, at great sacrifice, it has ne
ressar.iy encountered many difficulties.
But u il progressively attracting deser-
we'd attention. s. with favorable notice the