Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-07-24


all the DIS goods houses were ovcrstockel with :
merchandise. Many large establishments had
no insurance, 3ndGyr, therefore. entirely ruin
Ell. There is something appalling ana start
ling IN this sudden destruction OF property.
NlRGINIA.-Ths mex, session Of our Is
gialo:uae is likely to be "a mo>Iimp0rtant one,
for all future time. The subjec, Of the call Of
convention Tor amending the Constitution, is
one among the most prominent measures that
will b, agiut,d. Tho WEES, desire it. and
we are glad topgrcei,e that our Eastern br,;h-
rem DO not opposa itwith chat bitterucs, for
merry manifested.
Another subject OF thc jecpcs; interest TO
lhc whole Commonwealth. Is l,lt ola system
of universal education. THIS has been too
long nssleceJ-and it's ga,it, ing to us to
see the efforts being mode io. attracting ,he
attention of The people. w copy the follow
ing from the Richmond Wing OF the ls,hin inst.
and invite attention TO the extracts from am
Grafton OLA Cary, Esl delivered at Martins
burg on The lth,
IMPROVEMENT or VIRGINIA-Thcse
are our watch-Tords and these we mean to
keep ringing in the ears of Virginia, until our
citizens are aroused ofectuolly from their apa-
thy aud incrtness. Never was the time more
suspicious Tor action. In every quarter. the
necessity of more energetic movement is ac-
Enowiedgcd, and the press is speaking cut in
earnest tones. But the people themselves must
tct-the representatives, Of the people must
ieel that they are authorized to take enicien,
measures--and that the public voice approves
unhesitutingly.
We are rejoiced TO see that this subject WAS
the theme OF our orators on the late Anniver-
sary OF Independence. None more appropri-
atc-none more fruitful. In the Grafton of
Archibald Carey, Esq, at Niartinsburg. we find
some eloquent and appropriate remarks, which
we should be happy 10 give at large, but our
limits forbid. We extract u lew OF the Conclu-
ding paragraphs, and ask attention 10 their
burning truths:
But how can Virginia obtain high excel
lence IN any OF the pursuits OF human industry
in Agriculture, Manufactures, or the Me-
chanic Arts-so long as she remains cold and
mscnsible TO her best interests upon a subject
that surpasses every other in magnitudc-THE
EDUCATION Of HER SONS?
The state Of Education in Virginia is a burn
ing seal Of disgrace upon her brow, whitening
the laureIs she has won by the glorious deeds
OF The past. ltisa stain upon her escutcheon,
which, II not speedily erased-will become an
unavoidable wound upon her fame! Virgin
ians! can you believe that every tCcifh person
dbOUc the age of twenty, of her entire white
population, Is uninstruCtcd in the common ru-
diments of learning-is unable TO read and to
write! And vet the records of the country
publish the damnins truths, and the presses of
the world, daily herald it forth, asking with
unsurpassed sneers, WHAT'S the number of her
citizens 6clOC the age of twenty who are in the
same benightcd condition?
1t is a maxim now universally acknowled-
gcd that Government is good or bad, in pro-
portion TO the wisdom and virtue of those who
rule. Now the whole theory of our Govern
mant rests upon the virtue and intelligence
notoi particular portions and classCs-but up
on the virtue and intelligence Of every free born
cl'zeno OF the American Republic. 1t is evil
dent then, that Education isindispcnsably nee
cssary not only to a proper comprehensions of
duucs, but TO an eventiW pcrpetuation ofrights.
It's palpable that the lreeoom Of The people
cannot BE- preserved unless by a general diffu-
SION oil Intelligence among the masses, inclu-
dinS all ranks, pervading, all conditions. Nor
Is the genera. diffusion OF observation-disclosures
once 50 regarded-a mere U;opian dream of
fancy; Tor we already behold within our own
borders, a popUlous State Of the American
Union, IN which not u single male or female
ottr INC age Of ten gears is TO be found, who
IS not instructed in the rudiments Of know.
ledge, Who cannot read or write.
Alas! FOR thee, Virginia! Alas! thou proud
mother OF Suites! Fora brief moment OF poll
tCal power, thou hast cast aside the endurins
elemcnts of eternal renowui For a dcathles,
| page III history's story, thou hast sacrificed a
HE time OF richer and more substantial lows
Once the CoRNELIA OF states, thou conld's
point to thy sons as thy Jewels: but now tho,
rtAke NIoBE, all pale and weeping, becaus,
they are no more!
Too much 10 ninga way! too much alas!
Lille, JOY, and hope, for but q CLEAN of power
A meteor CLEAN whose transient glories pass
Meath tie cold shadow, like d summer
flower,
Leaving upon the brow, a cloud Of care!
a dream of darkness DER the strong hear
furled;
Till the bowed head, with all its fade hair,
Is laidin dust, far from the hooking world!
But no! such things can never be! Virgins
VIII yet arise, and with energies refreshed b
slumbcr, will start forth once more upon I'M
race OF renown. Her sons, animated by IN,
spirit OF their immortal sires. will rally aroun,
her IN TUCK array; and with the inspiring or
'lC Ou dominion, 10 the rescue Will bea
her once more forward 10 the front ranks O
4 glory!
The bright sun of improvement will We.
shine to irrddiate her blue mountains, and I'll.
her g~oldenhelds! The heart of the patriot will
yet rejoice, to behold her vast resources ricbI,
and ~aoundantly developed; her plains beantiG'
ca, ana adorned, by The hand Of arta and science
the margins OF her broad rivers vreathcd viii
the smoke OF her manufactures; her hills re-
verberaung the echoes of the buzzing spindls
and the changing hammet; peace, plcuiy. an,
happiness pervading her borders: and tine blan,
light OF Religion shedding The rapture of re-
pose over all.
Thor will Virginia fulfil the proud destin,
for which she was intended by him who plant.
ed her everlasting hills.