Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-16
To THE CLERGY OF VIRGINIA.

TO The CLERGY Uf NItul.NlA
We arc convinced that you will appreciate
he force and spirit OF the following ardent md
stirring appeal, and that you will ssixs The h-ss
opportunity 10 give practical value 10 lis admin
Die suggestions. You must be satisfied, inai i.ts
is the auspicious moment Tor action. and that il
becomes ALL who have regard Tor their county
ard their God, 10 use their Influence IN accoE-
pli>hing The grand result OF general Educaiol.
What more fixing theme can you select Tor yoL:
eloquence than the horrors OF Ignorance ana i,
handmaiden, Vice, and the blessings oil !n;ellecua
light--poinling out 70 men not only their Cutie
as citizens bot as beings responsible 10 hISnei
,ribuBail But il is needless Tor US 10 appea lo
you on a subject, in which YOU Must feel as deep
an interest as any class OF The communi'y.-
While We feel, however, that 100 much cannot be
said on This vital question, We shall not longer
de,ain YOU from the thrilling address OF Rich
mond."
Allow us first, 10 call your attention TO the ex-
cellenl views of The Winchester VirSinlan:
eve take leave 10 urge upon the talented Ger
ry NJ ou, to,rn 10 lcna as the all Of ta,U counsel
m this important more, and 10 invite them 10 al
tend tie proposed meeting 10 October mex.
vigorous effort on the part OF the neop!e VIII en-
sure liz success. and We trust iha there will be
no holding back from any quarter. Our isepre-
scraiiyes must get their orders from the people,
aud in no form can they be given - au'hori-
latveIr, as in The shape OF resolutions adopted
in our primary assemblies. The esaoishmen,
of such a system as is proposed, involves The
outlay Of heavy expense, and our UNI" repre-
senlatives will never move hand or 1907 IN the
matter. unless they are fully satisfied that their
vote for the necessary tax will not endanser their
popularity a, home The dread OF losing office
seems 10 paralze the minds OF our Legislators,
and unless their apprehensions upon that subject
can be Quoted, nothing more VIII ever be done
10 enlghten The ignorance mat now overshadows
our beloved old Commonwealth The cause OF
| Porular Education is emphaticalv The cause OF
The people and il our political aspuants can he
made IL look al the question in That light aundrs6,
will spring up 10 adTocaie il, where enc IS 2ow
afraii 10 open his monlh upon The subject. The
people have hu. 10 speak, as spake Tie G'ea Gre
40. OF The Cniverse-'Lst her, be light, and The
darkness which corefs cur land vii! be immedi-
Fer The Enquirer.
EDUCATION.
CLgnaY or VIRGINS. Hear ne for our cause
the cau:e Of Religion, OF Virtue, and our Coun'
try. |, indeed has paramount clam upon yonI
most interchangeable yea and earnest consideration
Did Cod .oafr man in his own image, endowins
ann with powers susceptible Of Improvement 10 a
poin, .,a knows as vel no imit-givins him do
mnion over al lhinss-inlcndng tia, ne should
srope his way in darkness. degraded b. igno-
rance and polluted by SIM II cannot be, Ma
lures God proclaims in the very presentation OF
him 10 the world. His destined elevaiion-his
free agency and moral accountability capa-
cily Tor know ledge, all ccnspre 10 show that man
was destined 10 be The perSonihcalion OF Gods
greatest handiwork.
YET wha, facts do Stare us in orr vaiks-mcet
| is al every ,nrn-wi,h The iaunt and sheer oil the
siter. I'll The tinge Of shame inaniles our very
checklist WHY, ina; 60000 persons Gin round
numhcrs) reside in this Commonvealh orer 20
years Of age, who cannot read or write; that
there are 29i, lie white persons hs:sren the ages
OF ana 20 wears, OF whom but 1871 attend
school. Including those who attend colleges, aca-
denies, grammar and primary schools Yes.
here is the Nact catalogue derived from oflcial
authority Look upon ii, and your exclamation
isvoluntarily is, Can these sh:nsstel Alas, they