Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-09-18
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF VIR.
GINA

The citizens of Richmond, in primary as
sembly, have appointed us II committee tC
promote, as Tar as we can, the cause of Educa
iioh IN Virginia. We propose tea urge upon
every Trend oi literature in the State tn lend
the influence OF his name, 10 give portion oi
his time, 10 devote the energies of his mind
and to raise his animating voice in behalf OF
a cause so noble, so worthy of every exertion.
We would speak, if we could, i'm tones that
would arouse the most apathetic to action
We would impress upon all, that this is no
ordinary subject To be thought of once and
then cast aside hut one upon which depend
the dcstinies Of Virginia. We know that
there are enduring blessings to be attained, but
they must Dc sought for eagerly i'm order to be
gained We know that there are difficulties
To be encountered, aud that To obviatc them
requires the exercise o. caution, of judgment
and experlencc-that there are prejudices to
overcome, conflicting views to reconcile-the
overwcening love for long established systems
to contend with, and the destroying fever OF
reckless innovation to reprove and restrain.
But, ii the wise and the vrtuous will unite
their counsels and their energy, every difficult
ty will vanish, and every good, which wise
system can secure, will b. fully developed and
dlifuscd. Every motive, every tie which
binds man To his fellow man, should constrain
the educated 10 devise system for the educa-
ton OF all. Every feeling of charity and good
will To others, prompts the humane and be-
neyolent 10 endcayor to awaken the unlctter-
ed To the absolute necessity of intellectual and
moral cultivation. 1t is subject of para
mount importance TO the patriot, the philan-
thropist and the christian. If there be any
object upon which all may unite, ii is the sa-
cred cause of education. In such cause there
ought To be no rivalry, save generous emula-
ton To accomplish the most for improving
the ignorant and unfortunate. There ought
10 be no sectional feelings or prejudiCes-no
exclusivcness. A comprehensive desire to
open the fountains of knowledge, that all may
drink and be satisfied should alone animate
every heart. Party strife and party triumphs
should be banishcd from theme like this. -
Think only ot the regeneration of Virginia. -
Think OF the means best adapted TO remove
tie stain from her proud escutcheon. Think
OF that ignorance which pcryadcs the land
and like dcsOlating pcstilcncc palsics its en-
ergies and lorebodcs decay. Think of the dcp-
radation OF the man whose whose human
frame Is but mechanical automaton" Think
oil the means To inlusc "a new created sense
within his soul, and make il worthy to claim
It's kindred with eternity. There are great
common principles and views, which form a
common ground on which all our people can
unite. All may harmonic and co-opcratc i'm
one great system OF moral and intellectual
culture
1t may not be Improbable tn inquire into
the condition OF Virginia. az connected with
this important subject, and tn contrast her
SITUATION with that of some of her sister States
la $50, the white population of Virginia wa,
1lO,06S. That OF Massachusetts was 729 .O3O
/ There being but little difference i'm the apprc.
gate amount OF white population i'm the two
States. The number OF those who cannot read
and write in Virginia is 5S.7S7. I'm Massn.
chusetts ii is only LAS. The ratio of those
who cannot read in Virginia to her whole
white population is as one to twelve and q
half. While that of Massachusetts, is as ia
l6l. In Massachusetts there are 1850 .257
scholars attending her primary schools. In
virginia only 3632l. In Massachusetts, tn,
number OF scholars at public charge is IS.
I 3ol. In Virginia, by the census of $40. onl,
| 919l by tlc returns of the second auditor
I Tor the last year. . 800.
/ In the State of Maine, witha white popula
ton OF 300 3S the ratio of those who are I'm
able To read Is as one To 1871 The number q
scholars attending primary schools is l6l. m
The number at public charge is GO2l2 ant
tile number who cannot read is only 3.2II 49,
In the State of Connecticut the ratio of thos,
who cannot read 10 the white population i. ~
one to 57l. In Virginia as before stated il I
one to l24. In New Hampshire one in ever,
300 Ia New York the ratio is as one TO 3.
and fraction. In Pcnnsylyania as one TO 1,
and fraction. la Ohio as one 10 AZ and ;
fraction. la Connecticut the number vl
cannot read in the whole State is ONLY 52G
IN New York there are jO2 3G7 scholars at lac
primary schools. In Pennsylvania 10 $50
In Ohio, 2lsG09. la Virginia as before sta
| ted only p 800.
BY The second Auditors last annual repor
il appears that there are 80 / % iRdigruf rhil
drcn in this State. OF these only - 1863 At
| tend tire primary schools heinz a. Itr, -.