The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-09
THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION.

The following communication accounts, in part,
but in part only for the want of education in the
South. 1t defends, TOO, with much ingenuity, the
character Of those who can neither read nor write.
The writer's praises of her distinguished men strike,
of course, responsive chord in our own affections.
But after all, we cannot excuse the too great apathy
which has prevailed in Virginia, upon the education
of her children. Her enlightened sons have now
taken up the subject with apparent enthusiasm;
let not that enthusiasm evaporate, as it did in
lS4l and l842. Then, too, there was a noble
assemblage of the citizens in Richmond, meetings
in various counties, and an education convention,
which assembled in the capital in December,
l84l They discussed, for three days, the whole
subject, especially Of elementary schools; and
recommended various plans for improving the
schools, academies, and colleges. We ask the citi-
zens of Virginia how many of these plans have
been carried into execution. The Legislature took
up the subject with great zeal. Bills were framed;
orators poured out their eloquence; a strong adj
dress was sent forth by committee, to which we
had the honor Of signing our name. But what great
reforms were produced' A bill was brought in to
submit to the people of every county the question
of an assessment for contributing the extension and
improvement of elementary schools. The measure
failed The objection which is noticed by our cor
respondent tended to defeat it. A proposition was
adopted by acclamation in the convention, for con-
yerting the public Guard of Richmond into milf
tary institutions sort of normal school, for
educating teachers forthe benefit of common schools.
Strange to tell this measure also failed The strug-
giles of political parties, and the storms of presi.
dental election, swept off too many other questions,
which were deeply interesting TO the prosperity of
the State. We speak of Virginia, because we are
acquainted with her movements; but we presume
that similar causes have operated in Tennessee, and
in many of the other States.
Shall this too great apathy always prevail A
free people should be enlightened. Montesqueu
says that republic is founded on virtue. He
might have added, that it should also be supported
by the knowledge of the people Every man ought
to be able to read at least-a newspaper The sup
port of schools is principally in the hands of the
people. But the government may assist in organ
izng some plans, and contributing some funds. Not
the federal government, of course; for the great
cause of general education does not enter into the
constitutional powers Of this immense machine at
Washington. II belongs to the States; and il be-
comes the Staes of course to prosecute with zeal
and effect We hail, therefore, the new effort
which is rising in Virginia, with the deepest sym
pathy in its success. Let the education convention
meet, and we trust will appeal to the legislature
with an eloquence which will irresistibly reach the
citizens as well as that body. We extend SINH
lar remark to every State which is shown to be dere-
lict in its duty by the census Of 1910.
For the Union
VIRGINIA AND TENNESSEE.
Keep before the peoplevrgnia and Tennessee con.
fyeght thousand persons twenyone years
Of age who cannot read or write U. s. Journal
This seems to be a subject Of great surprise to
those who have been raised or educated in States
where free schools are "as plenty as backberries,'
and where the inhabitants are so thicky settled as
to be stirred with a stick, and have to seek a.livel
hood when educated, in the illiterate States. But
this charge against these two States, like many
others, not only requires, but admits of explanation.
In the northern States (and the editors Of the Jour
nal are both from the Norh) the inhabitants so
thckly settled, that there is difficulty whatever in
raising a school in any neighborhood worth the at
ention Of teacher and their system Of free schools,
kept principally in winter and vacated IN summer,
educates those who cannot be otherwise educated.
In Virginia and Tennessee the case is widely DIFF
ferent In many sections, the country Is so sparsey
settled that sufficient number Of children cannot
he In one neobhorbood 10 authorize leach