The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-12-18

well conducted system of common schools
by which the benefits of education can
upon liberal terms, be placed within the
reach ofevery person of suitable age in
the State. Every citizen is entitled to a
voice in the management ofour public af
fairs. Our laws are but the emanations
of popular opinion. 1t is a matter, there
fore, of vital Importance, hat popular o.
pinion should be aided and enlightened by
intellectual culture, and moulded by a
pure and elevated tone of moral feeling.
The European systems of education con-
fine the means ofinstruction chiefly to the
favored and fortunate classes, to the ex-
clusion of the mass of the people, and
thus keep up and augment those artificial
and arbitrary distinctions in society which
constitute n great source Of the oppres
sion and degradation o. the great body Of
the people. The youth of this country
are born TO nobler privileges and higher
responsibilities. The very genius and
spirit of our institutions require that a
public system of instruction should be
kept open and free to all; placing those in
the most humble walks Of life upon the
same platform and equal footing with
those who are in more fortunate circum-
stances; elevating the intellectual, moral
and social condition Of the mass Of the
people, and perpetuating that degree o.
moral, intellectual and social equality,
which is essential alike to the permanent
cy Of our government, and the happiness
ofour people.
The great conservative influence of a
public system Of education on the future
destiny Of four country was fully appreci
ated by the eminent statesmen who
framed the first elements Of our civil in
situations. 1t was provided in the Ordi-
nance of 1857, for the government of the
Territory northwest Of the Ohio river,
that "rellgion, morality and knowledge,
being necessary TO the good government
and the happiness Of mankind, schooIs&
the means Of education shall forever be
encouraged" In the organization of our
State government, this provision was, in
substance copied into the bill of rights,
and now constitutes a part of the Consti-
tuition ofthe State ~imperativoly enioiuing
upon the representatives Of the people,
that schools and the means ofinstruction
should forever be encouraged by ZegiSla-
tjre precision, where not inconsistent with
The rights Of conscience.n The subject
of education las been urged upon the con.
sideratlon Of the Legislature in almost ey.
cry annual message ofthe Governor since
the origin of the State Government. The
solemn iniunctions Of the Fundamental.
laws of the State, which it is our sworr
duty TO support, and the warning voice o!
every successive supreme officer of the
State, ought not 10 be treated as mere Ger
cmonious formula, entitled to but slight
and superficial attention. They are The
authoritiye and living promuIgations Of
public sentiment, expressed in characters
as visible and impressive as if written il
stars on the arch Of the armament.
To the mode of instruction, discipline
and framing, given to the juvenile portion
of our population, we are to look for the
model of the future character of our PEG
pic, and the elements which will control
the future destiny Of our Republic, 1t is
to this source we are 10 look for the for,
nation Of that elevated standard Of intel.
%lectual superiority, moral excellence, and
public virtue, which shall preserve our
country from ignorance and superstition
stay the tide Of corruption usually flow.
ing from a dense population, and rescue
our postority from the intellectual anC
physical degeneracy so commonly produ
cod by luxury and its excavations, after
a continuance Of national prosperity.
The system orcommon schools, in thi:
State, although productive ofmuch beno.
fit, and in its general provisions we'll a
dapted to the accomplishment of its OBJ
iects, is yet susceptible of very great i'm
proycments. The fact cannot escape the
most superficial observation, that great
ineficiency and want ofcnorgy exists IL
its execution and management, and thai
during the last two or three years it ha:
been ~rotrogading, instead of progressing
towards a higher degree of perfection.
have no hesitation in saying, that if ou1
system o common school instruction were
conducted with proper efficiency, and un
der the improved regulations and mode:
of teaching at this time in use in somc
other places, that greater benefits woulc
be derived from half our expenditure 0
time and money, The Secretary ofStato
and several county auditors, to whom tn,
general superintcndence of our prc8on.
common school system is at present in
trusted, have doubtless performed thei
respective duties with fidelity, and don.
all which could reasonably be expectet
from them; but their time and attention
has been chiefly occupied by the other ant
more appropriate duties of their offices
| submit to your consideration the propri
ETY. of appointing a State Superintendent
of common schools, and ofauthorizing til,
election of a county superintendent, b.
the people Of each county, for the purpos,
of giving greater efficiency to the system
by having the exclusive attention of tn
superintendent devoted to the manage
ment and Improvement of this importan
branch ofthc public service. | entertain
no doubt but that the appointment of thes
officers, and the payment of competen