Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

demonstrate. is moi 10 provide for the high.
est grades OF scholarship so much - ito
humblest elements; il is 10 remodel our
system Of common education to such ex-
tent that we can offer the alphabet Of
knowledge to all who will receive II, aud
can rescue stoncs from the destiny Of un-
let,ered ignorance, the helpless and neg.
lected thousands ofour youth, upon whom.
If nothing is done. II will be fixed beyond
remedy and forever. IT cannot be that
this patriotic duty will be declined aud
evaded any longer, and the great body Of
our people left 10 struggle as they have
struggled before. Here, al least. II may
be demanded, that those who support oil,
defend all, and govern all, should not, in
addition to this, be expected 10 suffer all.
But II this is not to be so; If the wrong
and injury already done are 10 be stop
| ped If the melancholy distinctions Of
sharing an equality in uneducated popu-
laiion with single American rival il 10 be
efiaced, and our labors are hereafter TO
elevate the mind which our neglect has
done 80 much to crush il this is to Be 20,
not an hour nor an energy which The Leg.
islature can command. should be lost, be-
fore this work Of Justice. hope and renova.
sion shall have been begun.
] have submitted in former messages
what seemed 70 me the germ Of . suitable
plan for the accomplishment Of this work.
and respectfully refer to il now y capa.
bic. 10 my judgement. Of being successful.
ly matnred and applied. That plan was,
generally. 10 establish in each county. with
the consent Of majority Of its tax payers,
free schools for common education. To
rely for the support Of these schools upon
such additional sum a. might be found
necessary. 10 be made up Of county and
State taxes united in given proportiops,---
To place the schools wherever adopted BY
county vote; and ell mstteFs connected
with their location, accounts and manage.
ment, under county tribunals. and these.
in turn, under the general supervision Of
some central and controlling head; and 10
authorize each county to ,reuonnce The
plan, after having adopisd il. should il
wish to do so; and in al cases, whether
the plan is accepted, rejected OF rrnpun.
ced, to continue the school quota 10 each
county just - Il the prssent.
Without illustrating this plan BY addi.
iional detail, tits perhaps enough to say Of
il, that. by placing Its adoption in each
county upon the express consent Of ito own
taxpayers, you appeal 10 those who arc
most concerned in interest. and most iden-
tlhsd with each other in intercourse and
business, 10 decide whether IL will suit
them or not you enable each county, ia
case Of its adoption. 10 modify, adapt and
mature it, according 10 its judgement, and
its own view Of its local circumstsnces
and wants; you connect every citizen. in
some degree. with its management. make
every taxpayer sentinel upon it, opera
ton, and thus secure ,ts ultimate efIicien.
cy and support by surrounding il with the
largest possible amount OF wstchfulness,
interest and affection. Nor is this all. by
supporting these schools upon general
fund. making than free from any charge
for tuition, you at once destroy those de-
signa'ions of Indulgence and chayity. which
have kept so many thousands 10 ignorance
-wyou bring the rich and the poor Of our
people into closer connexion with each
other--difuse kindlier and healthier
sympathy throughout the whole Of socisty.
and discourage, in their very embryo, I'll
youthful tendencies 10 exclusiyeness and
caste.
Passing from these humber agencies for
education to others Of higher and moro
expensive kind, should omit part Of my
duty TO the puslic, If ! did not recommend
to you the propriety Of making IN early
and thorough enquiry into The condition.
management, and wants Of the University
OF the State. This institution is noble
monument to the wisdom Of lie great foun.
der, and to the patriotism OF the Common
wealth. and resting as il does upon the
faith Of all for the good Of all, it should be
deficient IN nothing whatsoever. which 10
necessary TO render il an instrument Of the
widest benefaction TO the country At large.
Whether it is already such, as far az il can
be made so, or wbethsr it is possible 10
make it more capable for this end than it
is now. by schange Of organization or
change in other respects, are enquiries Of
the utmost interest to the public, and we'll
worthy OF all the care and vigor with which
they can be investigated by your body. I
commend the state Of this institution,
therefore, TO your special investigation, and
that in the earnest hope that you may be
able to remove any and every obstacle that
exists to its increasing prosperity, and
make It, in all points Of usefulness, fully
commensurate with the expectations and
wants of the public. M 1881
10 relation TO the other great interests
to which have DIRECTED your attentions
that OF Internal improvements is con-
nected with the enduring power and pros.
perity Of this Commonwealth far too vital
~ not to merit and receive principal
share ofyour deliberations. Regarding it
always in this light---as having peculiar
importance to our State and people, which
il is scarcely possible to exaggerate Ihavs
pressed il upon former legislatures with
an importantly which exhausts even the
privilege Of doing much more than recur-
ring to il now. And | have so pressed il,
because Of the undoubing belief, that in
doing SO was acting, not for section Of
the State, but for the whole State; not for