Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-12-11

and our lahors are hereafter to elevate
the mind which our neglect has done
SO much to crush; if this is to be so,
not an hoag nor an energy which the
Legislature can command, should be
lost, before this work of jastice, hope
and renovation shall have been begun.
i have submitted in former messages
what seemed to methe germ OF a suita-
bic plan for the accomplishment of this
work, and respectfully refer to j. now
as capable, in my judgement, of being
successfully naasufed and applisd.-
That plan was, generally, TO establish
in each county, with the consent of a
majority Of lis tax payers, free schools
Cor common education. TO. rely for
the support ofthese schools upon the
quotas Of the present school fund, and
upon such additional! sum as might be
found necessary, 10 be made up Of
county and State taxes united in given
proportions. 10 place the schools
wherever adopted BY county vote, and
Ill matters connected With their loca-
aion, accounts and management, under
County tribunals, and these, In turn,un-
der the general supervision Of some
central and controlling head; and to
authorize each county to renounce the
plan, after having adopted it, should ii
wish 70 dose; andin all eases, whether
the [ianis accepted, rejected or re-
.nouneed, to continue the school quota
TO each county just as at present.
Without Illustrating this plan by adj
ditional detail, it is perhaps enough, TO
say of it, that, by placing It's adoption
in each county upon the express con
sent of lis own taxpayers, yon appeal
to those who are most concerned IN m
terest, and most identified with each
other in intercourse and business, to
decide whether il will suit them or not;
you enable each county, in case Of It's
adoption, tolnodIfy, adapt and mature
it, according'o itsjpdslnent, and It's
own view Of its local circumstances
I and wants; you connect every Citizen,
in some degree, with its management,
make every taxpayer a sentine! upon
its operation, and thus secure its uIll-
mate efficiency and support by sufroun-
ding it with the largest possible amount
of watchfaIness. interest and affection.
Nor is this all: by supporting these
schools upon a general fund, making
them free from any charge for tuition,
you atonce destroy those desi Ghatlons
of Indulgence and charity, which have
| kept SO many thousands in Ignorance
you bring lie rich and poor Of our
people into closer connexion with each
other-diffuse kindIer and healthier
sympathy throughput the whole of SO.
ciety, and discourage in their very en-
bryo, all youthtultendencies TO exclu-
l.siveness and caste.
Passing from these humber agencies
! for education 10 others of higher and
more expensive kind, | should omit a
part of my duty to the public, if ! did
not recommend TO you the proprieIy Of
making an early and thorough enquiry
into the condition, management, and
wants clthe University of this State.
This institution is noble monument TO
! the wisdom of lis greatio under, ard TO
the patriotism of the Commonwealth,
and resting as it does upon the faith Of
all for the good of all, it should be def
cient in nothing whatsoever, Which is
necessary to render it as an instrument
of the widest benefaction to the coun-
try at large. Whether it is already
such, as far as it can be made 50, or
whether it is possible to make it more
capable for this end than it is now, by
change Of organization or change
in other respects, are enquiries of the
utmost interest to the public, and well
worthy ola the care and vigor with
which they can be investigated BY your
body. commend the state of this in
stitution, therefore, to your special in
vestigaiion, and that in the earnest
hope that you may be able to remove
any and every obstacle that exists to
It's increasing prosperity, and make it,
in all points Of usefulness, fully com
mensuraie with the expectations and
wants of the public.
In relation TO the other grcatinterests
to which | have directed your attention
that of Internal Improvements is
connected with the enduring power and
prosperity of this Commonwealth far
too vitality not to merit and 10 receive
a principal share in your deliberations.
Regarding it always in this light-as
having peculiar importance to our
State and people, which it is scarcely
possible 10 exaggerate, have press
ed it upon former Legislatures with an
importantly which exhausts even the
privilege Of doing much more than re-
curing TO it now. And ] have so
pressed it, because Of the undouotingi
belief, that in doing so was acting,