Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-25
For the Enquire
EDUCATION-fNo. wi


The same class, is poverty; and yetlhere is nothing
more under the influence OF educaton-to Of
modified, miligated, or entirely removed. rover
10 i The great embankment, that separates the or
ders classes, or circles OF general society, a.
sanctioned by the verdict Of The age IhouSf
there can. from the nature of the case, be no rea
distinction between human beings, save lhoss
founded in virtue and intelligence, yet the dis,inc
lions generally obtaining on the score OIL power
~. seem not TO be without some considerations
propriey, because OF the connection found in se
MANY cases 10 exist, between poverty and vice
with its whole train OF evils, arising from degra
dalton and ignorance. Poverty, tf itself, wher
connected with morally and intelligence, is nc
ground OF distinction-is that OF which no man
need be ashamed and is one grand spring OF &C
ton in the various departments and ramificatioE'
of society.
Much the larger number OF those who consti-
tute the most important members OF society, ale
these who have commenced life with little Of this
worlds goods but blessed with cultivated minds
and improved moral faculties. There are few
men, whose observation will not supply them
with a number of cases and examples OF this
sort; and there are few, who have not known
many men TO commence life poor but unedu-
Gated, and subjected 10 no moral training, whose
course has been downward and downward, till
they have become objects OF the greatest degra-
dalion-a nuisance to the neishborhood in which
they resided. and curse TO the age in which
they lived-the regular enlaieTs of miserable hu-
manly. An educated man, though he commence
life without property, yet, if he desire il, cannot
remain poor His spirit, freed from the letters
and bonds Of ignorance, will not rest conented 10
be dependant upon 9th rs for supply OF The
necessaries OF life /; his mind, enlightened and
made acquainted with the thousands Of means by
which those necessaries may be obtained will de-
wise some successful plan; and the principles OF
morality and justice 10 himself, and duly to So
ciety, will cause him to prosecute his plans.
Industry is the consequence OF mental illumi-
nation. Inform man OF the true state Of the cir
cumstances surrounding him-point out 10 him
the mutilorm resources within his Ieach-ac-
cording 10 the fixed principles Of his nature, he
will become industrious. though ne may have
been idle; and industry, in most sections OF the
civilized world, especially OF this country. Is all
that is wanting 10 remove all the wretched conse-
quences OF abject poverty. Man is creature OF
motive: all that is required 10 cause him To acl
is, 10 place before him The necessary motives.
traveller, who had gone through The pellngs Of
thew inlry Storm toI many hours, Till his strength
had become almost exhausttd-his body chilled
his determination made TO make no farther eifor
10 find shelter, need only be intorme by some
kind friend, that comfortable entertainment was
quarter Of a mile ahead, TO call forth all the re-
naming powers Of his system 10 reach The long
wished-for object. Thousands OF individuals II
Virginia, such as those nhabiting The rugged
mountains Of Albcmarle or the marshy necAs
AMI FISH regions of many Of The low counties q
the State, highly gifted by nature, need only be
told, and made 10 be convinced and understand,
that there are locations in other sections IN when
they might reap the rewards OF industry, TO make
them useful citizens, constituting some INK IN me
chain OF society. But, 10 impart TO such tnis me-
cessary information, some acquaintance WIN el-
ters is absolutely necessary; some general view
of the geogra ply of the country the nature OF us
products, and mode OF cultivation, win Inc other
necessary items, must be understood
II the mulliludes OF individuals in Virginia,
now living in AFFECT poverty, in midnight dark
ness possessed Of good natural minds, but never
visited by one ray OF mental or moral light, are
ever 10 be elevated and lifted from the abyss oil
degradation and misery, in which they have 100
long dragged out wIetched existence. and placed
upon thai elevated position designed by their Gre
aior and called for BY their faculties, Education
is the only means in The power oil human beings
nd mortal mep. that cal be used He who sits still,
and eYpec,s this class OF our population 10 be i'm
proved wilhoullhe application OF this mighty moral
lever cannot expect ii erer 10 be brought about by
any other means than The dirinc miraculous po1rer
nj Omnipote,lee l@lt. Education makes the idle
and law active and industrious, transforms The
vicious into the moral, gives energy Tor lnactvi-
w, and makes him who was curse 10 his race
., .,.J. of vi
all its brood OF disconlenlment, unhapplness,
misery and suffering bodily and mental, snbsli-
tutes abundance, with all its concomitants, hap
piness, conlenment and peace OF mind. As is-
norance and idleness go hand in hand, industry
intelligence; and the effect oil indus
try is 10 abolish poverty and all its evils This IS
very remarkably exemplihed in Texas; in some
sections OF which, abject poverty reisned some SIX
years since. heard il stated by resident OF the
country that, several years past, nothing was
raised for expectation; and the steamboat plying
between Houston and Galveston never carried
any fruits OF industry. Now, instead OF one
steamboat, several are required TO transport The
productions Of their country in these sections.
Conessedly great as the effects OF education
are upon that class of society considered above,
a greater amount of intelligence and more gene
raj diffusion OF information among all classes
ANY improvement in agriculture, mechanical
arts, or the application of science, in any depart
ment, is beneficial to mankind and improves So
ciely. Agriculture supplies us with several illus
tralions OF the proposition that we have before us.
In Virginia, in the last twenty years, there has
been no greater improvement in any department
whatever than in agriculture, according 10 uni
versal consent To attempt 10 prove that This is 10
be attributed to better information, and more ge-
nera diffusion OF knowledge, would be as rea-
sonable as to attempt 10 prove that the sun shone
on clear day at twelve o'clock. But there is
one point peculiarly striking: we allude 10 The use
OF mari and calcaTeous manures. Had The same
use OF mari been made in Virginia, hlly years
past, that is now made, thousands who have left
The Old Dominion for the Western and Southern
States, between that and the present time, would
now be numbered among her inhabitants, and the
patriot would not have 10 deplore The deporula
lion of the land Of his fathers But why was il
mol used2 Because The people arerc ignorant ~ us
uses and properties. A knowledge of these had 10
be diffused and the farmers informed of its in
calculable value. To education are We indebted
for The discovery, and TO education is 10 be a!tri-
buted the dissemination of the information PCS
sessed. ANY country is benefited by increase of
population up TO the point al which the soil ceases
to Weld support BY The use Of mari, the tide of
emigration from Virginia has been comparative
ly arrested, and many who, before lis use, were
barely able, aler The most diligenl cultivation of
their barren fields TO deiray the expenses OF their
f,nilies, are now supplied with abundance; can
live with ease; can educate their children, and
raise them in such a manner, by cultvaling the
head and heart, as 10 make them the ornaments
OF society, the pride and support of their parents;
in The decline Of years blessing 10 The aged, and
fit agents 10 preserve the purity OF our Republi-
can institutions. In Tins way, education mol only
removes poverty, but refuses its admltance among
the members Of society.
Can any true Virsinian refuse 10 render his
cordial assent TO general system Of education
a system that will, at an additional expense 10
each individual OF an insignificant sum, take
from the abodes Of wretchedness and sqnalid po-
very the sons of the poor OF This Old Common
weallh-mullitudes Of them gifted by Nature
with superior minds-cultiva,e their moral and in
lellec,ual powers, and make them useful and va
liable members OF society? We may affirm,
unqualifedly, that no liberal, truly enlightened
mind-one that appreciates education, and knows
lie value can oppose the cause of education or