Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-08-26

ZION, ana, also, me eSFedehcy 81 cdllihe an i|'H
cation Convention and appointing delegates
thereto. MANY CTTlIt.NS.
FELLOW Citizens: The subject which you arc
here called On Ia consider and acl upon, is one o.
more vital importance and general interest, than
any which can occupy your attention. 10 imiDc
diaie action upon il. we are impelIet not only By
motives Of justice and expediency; but 10y The
most urgent necessity. We will mol hire under
take 10 prove 10 you The absolute necessity ol 20
pu'ar education 10 The preservation oil virtue ana
lileity in cur Republic; nor the solemn duty OF
dispensing 10 our less fortunate brethren some
portion Of the inesiimablc blessings Of knowledge
which Providence has bestowed on us. Dad you
nerl any arguments 10 convince you oil tins, wc
might refer YOU 10 the wise coun,es, The earnest
and solemn warnings OF The fathers OF orr com
Try and the trainers Of our Institutions. Bni you
require no such arguments. Iou know and you
Eel the truth oiiaesc principles, and The RESPONSE
hili'y Of nc.lec,ing them. Ncr islhis conviction
aud feeling confined 10 you. Throughout The
State, ALL admit them. a Ii. feel The deepest IN
tcreSt in The subject. All. acinow edge, that
something must he done, and done speedily.
The Stale will be dissrace,l, and all That we hold
mos; dear endangered b. DELAY. But each man
and each county and town locks 70 others 10 IT,
Gin The great work. All wait for some one TO :akt
The lead: readily, joyiuly and vigorously To Sc
cond her exeitions.
To you especially, fellow citizens OF Rich
mond ID they look, 10 take Inc first step because
, l!om your central position, your superior iacili
'irs Of Obtaining information, your greater convc
niencc Of assembling and your cily's being The
probable point al which an Education Convention
would meet, it peculiarly becomes you 10 do So
BE mrs then, the glorious privilege Of being lore
most 10 relieve our land from curse worse
Than Egyptian darkness-lhe darkness OF ths
MINp-lo redeem and Icgenerate our time
honorcd Stale from her present condition o
desenciacy and decay, by enlighenlns ant
setting free the intellect ana virtue which now
snmber and perish in The chains OF ignorance
obscuI!y and wrcicl,edness. Let 10 one Re De
TERED ly cowardly apprehension oil failure
which would defeat Gay undertaking, however
great or ieas lie nor Nv The recollection OF tht
III success of the former Education Convention
vi that failure, rou Jon tcllnw-cltizehs, ioSeihel
with The PEOPLE of the Stale generally mus
bear The hlame-ior neither before nor alter ina
Convention were they zealously sustained by lht
people generally; and be assured, that until tts
people manifest proper interest and yea! on lhi'
subject, il will meet with nothing but silent ne
eject from The political parlzans whom they sent
10 he Legislature. Bnt lei the constituency she1
BY their acts as well as their words, that they ex
pect and will GRAFT Of their representatives immo
date attention 10 this subject, and adoption ny
lhcm Of scmc eificien system Of popular educa
lion, and ihey heed not doub! that their wishe
will b promptly obeycd. Let u then, fellow
citizens, n o.ec nut our shoulders 10 The wheel
and call on our brethren Of the counties 10 com'
TO our aid, assured that they will promptly an'
]oyiuy answer Tic call. Nor, is Of all Others
he most propiiions moment. The very unusua
ahserce Of political excitement al This timc
such as may not Occur again for mani
years, affords US most favorable opporuni
" Tor engaging the attention Of The people ol
'h'S all important subject. 10 lev mcnlhs, hi