Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-02-27

nigh,ed atmosphere, through which lis images
are conveyed.
Who will saw that we are dischargiug al! our
OBLIGATIONS as trustees Of that Interchangeable
bIrih-right possession Of every child OF repnh
Iic-he right to a substantial educatioay VINO
can look with confidence TO the exercise OF popn
lar opinion, the ruling power of our country
when tina, opinion is thus wanting in those htiri-
bu,es Of intelligence necessary 10 lis proper al
rection2 To nuke ITS government beneiciai'--
TO enable i, to uphold unwavering our political
fabrc,--,o derive from i. The greatest good, it IS
capable Of yielding; oil the elements OF It's pow
er, should be moulded, and associated with refer
ence to the character of the subjects; upon which
i, is designed TO act.
At the present time, we have tide OF emil
grants flowing in upon W., from foreign countries;
many of whom are unlettered. and all to great
extent deficient in an acquaintance win our IN
situations, and the character OF our interests. YET
10 few years, they attain the privilege oil vol
ing, and become constituents OF that sovereignty
that governs the des,nes OF our land. II We
neglect then, the educa ton OF children, and
rear up among 10 addition, large portion OF
our population, uniformed Of the history OF their
country tho nature of its government, and OF
lis diversified interests and negiec, so to dlsci
pine their understanding, as to give them the
power of Judging for themselves: those foreign
materials instead Of catching the spirit OF Amer
lean society and blending harmonlously with IT.,
and losing their distinctive characteristics, in
their association with the mass of enlightened IN
telIec, in their adopted country; become lost, IN
the intellectual darkness around them; and drawn
by their affinity, combine with the uniformed of
our community, and together, offer 10 the schem
ing and heartess politician suitable instruments
for his promotion. and the accomplishment of his
sinister, and selfish designs. Such result is not
Incompatible, with pure motives and lore of coun-
try; and disposition on the part Of the voter, to
assert his independence, and act for the public
good. knowledge in a world of intellectual be-
,ngs, will ever be the ruling power, and where
its lgh, is concentrated upon few minds; and
not radia.ed over the whole community, they
sumo in obedience to the laws of nature, their
won,ed office of direction, and fashion the
Of events, whether the riH that guides, is mani
fest, concealed.
! When we reflect upon the number, and the mag
ntude o. the interests, which during the last ten
years, have been submitted directly to the amer
lean citizen for his investig a,on and decision
which il was essential for him thoroughly to I'M
ders,a4u, o.a.. CIV -" 'nn0pv"".". 80"
and sustain that necessary equality of influence,
which is the vitality OF republics: perceive
how utterly impossible il IL, without the educa-
ton Of all classes, and indeed of every voter, to
preserve tho best interests OF our country from
being sacrifced and the mos, cherished rights
from becoming virtually surrendered. We are
reminded also Of the inadequate security, our pre-
sent school system, afford US, Of enlighted and
independent exercise of the duties of freemen.
| The committee of opinion, that the aPpre-
hension, entertained by some, ofthe insulIiciency
of our school funds TO support more efficient sys
tenn; is no; we'll founded, provided the funds are
rightly employed What those funds amour, to
it is impossible a. present to determine with ac-
curacy; owing to the manner in which they have
been used, and the uncertainty connected with
their securities. We are perhaps more unac-
quainted with the situation of our means applied
to education. than any other State in the union
And it certainly presents a strong reason, exclu-
siye of any other, why superintendent should
be employed, TO have our resources cd up,
and their true condition presented TO the LegIsla-
turc, and to the country. Separate, howe. er,
from the bank capital, pledged upon the discharge
of the bank loan, to this purpose; aud the money
arising from the sale or lease, of the sixteenth
sections of land the saline fund--tax upon bank
stocb-surplus revenue loaned to counties-sur-
plus revenue leaned by Treasurer of State, and
the proceeds from the sale of land, returned for
non-payment of taxes, not yet collected and dis
burse3. afford together capital Of near 500 900
and yields possibly $4,000 per annum. If, how
ever, the proceeds of all the funds alluded TO were
collected, or secured; and made available to the
important purposes. for which they have been ap-
proprated. and those arising from the sales of
land, funded, the capital would be augmented,
and its PFoductiveness greatly increased; and
would afford suhcien, pecuniary basis, if we'll