Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-12-29
To the Editors of the Wing:

fhobghfs
VIsinio, IN regard 10 the subject Of Edueston
A poor schoomaster who walking in ne obseursr
paths of e with few h,rassng aspirations beyond them
content pursue his humble calling yet feeling that it 10
honorable and far reaching in its achievements, loving
the land of his birth and DESTROYS cf the mental aud moral
elevation Of her children cannot though retired and
KNOWN look without interest," upon the movements con-
noeted with this great subject going throughout the
State.
"Words words, words" and nothing more. have too Of
ten been the beginning progress and finale Of great
erpzes in Virginia. and your humble for
long time dstrustul Of any good that to come out OF
this Eszareh rather this Bedam OF tongues and pens
which began its rage time ago. But Convention
has been held age experience, wisdom learning and phi
anhropy, have there brought their offerings, and given
them the aid Of the work. God grant that good
OF it, The If, when speaking writing
this subject forth in glowing colours the pas, and
the present OF Virginia. We told that she
pied proud and lofty seat among her sister Sa,es that
che shone in intelligence and worth; that she is the mother
OF Statesmen, heroes and pstro but that her glory
departed the sceptre has passed from her. that she is
sunk into deplorabe of ignorance and insig
nihcance. Well now-all this expanded and smpied in
the mouth Of fine speaker confess, very pretty and
pathetic too. but for the life OF me, can't its bearing
the subject much that il should be the burden Of
every speaker and writer; do conceive 1t TO be exact
y true. The subject under consideration is the educa
ton of the and if there time when that
in more hopeful state than ut present, resd IN
her history poor purpose. Virginia may once have
had great within her borders than she has now,
and for the sake Of argument, will allow 1t. But how
does t1s affect the education OF the peope7 She may
once have aeed r.i prominence and weight IN Po-
ica affairs than present. but these Vet? trying times
which called forth the wisdom OF her Sstesen aad the
virtue OF her patriots; and who knows her noble
sons OF the present lime, will say that she would be
ing IN these IT the clouds should gather thick
heads and tbs tempest down upon confederacy
honour the mighty dead mpeh any man, where
honours DUE The father OF his country OF course embrace
in Ma artSn Mad IaN.r
and others, their contemporaries were, own, brilliant
galaxy. But the times III measure, made the
cannot look upon Rives, Mcdowell Leigh, Tsze
WELL Archer Cooke, Clbel Stewart, Stanard a
Of others, PATROLS P.uroPists, and statesmen, aud
think thn the great occasions which called Others
should all upon them. Virginia would be behind herself,
in the glory OF intellect the seHtor OF public virtue and
private WORTH the capacousneSs philanthropy, and
enlarged beneyOence But Mr. Editor, this sab.
be discussed Garry out this comPaSGon which
and writers making have underworld
to carry out above. and il s leaves the main question
untouched. II any comparison is 10 be made II seems TO
rseynnt - the subject TO inquire whether vice
Jade viuSroa
spread Of Christianity and the operation OF present
School system. defective though is, people
ainy improved in mind AID morals since the early OF
century But this comparison OF ls worth
the question last simply this-shul tse e children
growing around whom there 100000 IN their
ptiab.c condition IN the be allowed shroud their
intellect GEd rollue their immortality ignorance end
vice. shall they ba snachet by the henecent hand Of
State Legst ion from their low estate, and taught be
wise. good, and happylo do their duty their families
their country and their God and thus be useful in their
day and generatiOni Let any man sit down, ss have
done (pardon the egotism IN log cabin with dirt floor,
and have poor little urchins in ragged gaents with
combed hair and oEYashed faces with tatered spell
ling books begging for themselves aud their parents
have little learning given them, until ;her numbers
such beyond the funds in the hands Of the school
commissioners and To forbid my taking them in justice
the patrons who employed my services their own
count and then get Up and talk connection with this
subject, # he about Virginia "her pas. and present.
her heroes. patriots and statesmen and all these glossy
| themes. No; he would speak in different anfusge-he
would tel Of the suffering poor-oi things mention
ed ia public la with this suhJectof honest la
borOus poverty, tonR for daily bea6. anI though igno-
rant knowing enough to desire education for Ignorant oil
sprihg-of such bringing their touching appeals before
school commissioners, who have help them
and then c4uyng their helpless babes appeal the
charities Of the schoOmas'er, already crowded with
OF such than he gets the petty stipend Of FIVE
day for and receiving them Of Charity alone.
The work Of education 10 a word, is not much a
work for the display Of rhetoric and SNOWY PATRIOTISM
but work in which men must know, and feel and act
for, tbs wants and the Of intelligent immortal beings.
shst from sh: and knowledge aud torpid all that's
good under the pail OF isnnr-n.c, The mother Of vice.
HANOVER, Dec. 30, loij