Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-18
Address
TO THE PEOPLE VIRGINIA.

have appointed US Committee TO promote as far
as we can, the cause Of Education Ia Virginia. We
propose to urge upon every friend Of literature in
the State to lend the influence Of his NAME to give
portion of his time, devote the energies Of hi.
mind, and TO raise his animsting voice in behsIfof
cause so noble, so worthy of every exerton. We
would speak, five could, 10 tones thar would arouse
the most apathetic to action. We would Impress
upon all that tins is no ordinary subject 10 be
thought of once, and then idly cast aside, but one
upon which depend the destinies Of Virginia. We
know that there are enduring blessings to be at.
tained but they oe sought for eagerly in order
to be gained. We know that there are dHieutis,
to be encountered, and that to obviate them re.
quires the exercise Of caution, ofjudgment and ex.
perience-that there prejudices to overcome,
conflicting views to reconcle--,he oycrweeaing
love tor congratulated systems to contend with,
and the destroying fever Of reckless innovation TO
repfove and restrain, But, if the wise and the
yirtuous will unite their counsels and their energy.
every difficulty will vanish and every good, which
wise system can secure, viii be fully developed
and diHused. Every motive, every tie which binds
man to his fellow man. should constrain the educa-
ted TO devise system for the instruction Of ALL
Every feeling Of charity and good will to others,
prompts the humane and benevolent to endeayor 10
awaken Tbs unlettered to the absolute necessity of
intellectual and moral cultivation. Ii is subject
Of paramount importance to the patriot, the pban.
throPist and the christian. II there be any object
upon which all may uete, 1t is the sacred cause Of
education. In such can.e there ought to be no
rivalry. save generous emulation to accomplish
the most, for improving the ignorant and unfortu-
nate. There ought 10 be no sectional feeling, or
/ preindiees-no exein~iyeue.s A compfehensiy.
desire to open he fountains OF know ledge, that all
may drink aud be sslished should alone animate
every heart Party strife and party triumph.
should be bauished from a theme like this Think
only OF the regeneration Of Virginia Think OF he
means best adapted to remove the stain irom her
( proud escucheon. Think OF that g norance which
pervades the land, aud Ike desolating pestilence
| palsies its energies and fofbodes decay Think of
| the degradation OF the man 'swhose human fiame
is bat mechanical auiomaion." Think Of the
means to iniuse "a created sense within bis
soul, and make il worthy TO claim its kindred
with eternity. There are grea, common principles
and views, which form a common ground on which
ali our people unite. All may hsfmonlze and
cooperate in one great system Of moral and intel
leclusl eu1fe.
| II may not be Improbable TO enquire into tho
condition OF Virginia, as connected with this impor-
tan, subject, and to contrast her situation with
that of some Of her sister States. In $780, the
white population OF Virginia was 740 ,963. That
of Massachusetts, was 729 $50. There being but
liur difference in The aggregate amount Of white
population Of The two States. The number of those
who cannot read and write in Virginia il 58,787.
Ia Massachusetts it ia only 4.449 The ratio Of
those who cannot read in Virginia To her whole
white population, is twelve and half.
| While that of Massachusetts is as | TO 1854. In
Massachusetts there 100. 257 scholars attend.
log her primary schools. Ia Virginia only 35,32i.
Ia Massachusetts the number of scholars at public
! charge is 1873 ISL, Ia Virginia, by the census of
1910. only 979l; by the returns Of The second Au.
diior for the last year 90 800.
In the State of Maine, with a white population
of 500 438. the ratio OF those who unable 20
read is as one TO l54. The number Of scholars at
tending primary schools is 1854 Al. The number
at public charge is 60.2i2; and the number who
cenno, read is only 3.24l. Ia the STATE Of Connee-
ucut the ratio Of those who cannot read to the
white population ia as one to 574 In Virgins,
before stated, il ia one TO twelve. In New Hsmp-
shire, one to every 300 In New York. the ratio
is as one to 53 and fraction. In Pennsylvania,
as one to 40 and fraction. In Ohio, as one az
aod traction. In Connecticut the number who
cannot read 10 the whole State is only 526. la
New York there are 502,367 scholars at the pri-
mary schools. In Pennsylvania, 1895 In
Ohio, 2l8 500. In Virginia, as before stated, only
go, 800.
By the second Auditors last annual report, !,
appears that there 49, l55 INDECENT children in
this State. OF these, only 28 800 attend the Pri-
mary schools. being little more than half the poor
children, and these only at average of SO days
in the year. The amount expended for this partial
instruction of this half being $40 000-that amount
constituting the whole, to be appropriated from the
Literary Fund. shelving that the present fund is
wholly inadequate to educate even the INDECENT
children.
There are in the State, between the ages OF
and 90 years, 294, i l6 white persons; Of whom so
5ll only we're in the course of education, in ls4V'
at all the schools, colleges and academies 10 inc
State. including the University. How small inc
sum to be expended in comparison with the num-
Der to be taught, fany general system be adopted
That some general system should be devised, We
believe every vrginan upon view Of such stats
tics will be ready to admit. We cannot expect
great results without adequate means. The peo'
pie must feel and know that il is necessary to suo-
init to a moderate education tax. A small tax
levied either upon properly or upon persons
such proportions shall be deemed BY The Legs
islaiure most just, and sccordaut with the beDsi'
to be enjoyed by each individual, and bis abh'y 70
pay would be sufficient. Without meaning 10 ~
innate that such principle Of taxation would %
the beat that could be adopted, We may suggest !"
way of showing how small would be the ou'''"