Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-22


and reformation of the existing system. 1t also
promises most Of the ameorations which have been
tested and approved by the experience of other States
But if perchance its future operations should disclose
any secret ncongruity with any portion Of civil
potv entire amenability to public sentiment will
leave difficulty in reracing any false steps which
may be taken in this needfnl reform. If it may not
with the facility, be introduced in all the
ties Of the commonwealth let il be submitted, it has
been proposed TO the separate adoption Of the people
in each county, making its existence Depend the
sanction Of certain number. 1t would be thus
submitted 10 the people as the result of sincere
effort the part of the Assembly to meet their Just
expectations, and to contrve some suitable provision
for these pressing exigencies Of the State.-That
it would in many instances receive their favorable
consideration and acceptance, is guaranteed by the
prevailing unanmity and awakened zeal of the advo-
Gates Of this cause, well by irusfn reliance
their enlightened appreciation Of its benefits
If no desire Of elevating the mass of population
in the scale of intelligence excite the public enthusl
asm-if the conviction that universal education is the
only anchor of our liberties, prompt TO whole.
agitston,-if the recollectons of past renown,
and the aspirations for future glory awake no gene.
rous impulse TO advance this noble enterprise,-if a
just estimate OF intellectual greatness create no am.
bition to attain tiff all these motives fail to in
spre energy and zeal in this work, the people may
vet be poaded FROM their torpor into laudable activity
by the painful disclosures of the recent census
That out Of adult white population amounting to
800 1859 persons there should be almost out of
Iy
Illuminating, but when conine the calculation to the
male adults alone, and find this proportion ncreaCed to
the ratio Of even less than to six, may we'll be
alarmed at the lamen,able condition in which the right
of suffrage placed II look 10 other States, and
contrast their situation with in this respect the
spirit Of honorable emulation should urge to all
practicable means of eRacng from esculcheon this
dark blemish of ignorance. While in Virginia we edu
cate a. has been seen but little than onehaf OF
INDECENT children, in the State Of New York. exclu.
sive Of the city, there taught 549467 children be-
tween and Is years DID, ont of total population of
$4,000 persons Of those ages, leaving difference only
of % 537 the number Of those engaged in the
trades disabled by III health, entered in the acade
mics and colleges. Though this calculation from the
last census and school Of New York has been
received with dstrust in quarters, and per-
haps favorable not to be subjeo, to some eonsdera
bic deduction, s enough demonstrated ofthe actual
efficiency Of her system TO expose to manifest and
Notifying disadvantage in the comparison. If any
thing more be wanting to prove how wofnly we have
fallen short Of what may be accomplished in this great
work. appeal may be again made to the State of Mas
saohusetts, whose example has already been quoted
more than once in connection with that Of New York
Tbsre the maximum Of those Of all eyes entered in