Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-05-14
NOTES ON EDUCATION NO. Nv.

NOTES ON EDUCATION NO. Nv.
EDUCATION POOR,
Hitherto. Messrs Editors, have given any definite
title the humble communications, which have made
you upon the important subject Of Education. At first
ssked the attention Of your readers to "Wha should in:
every body aud then Imporisnt facts aud their
coosequence leaving those brief articles by their
and tenor speak foe themselves nd eyince their
design.
know that readers often impatient of series OF n.
cesof unfinished and b. continued dispositions; and
did wish deter any such from listening me- Be-
ssdcs, had settled plan except 10 offer you from Time
Time. hastily penned but sincerely espoused con-
sders, favor vigorous and jealous union OF all
cssses and parties Virginia the subject ut Education
did think that there would be such connexion
in these eniite them special christening, by
any But il is convenient fort writer 10 have
Of starting and returning point, in title, that have
concluded adopt the pbove, desgnedy employing the
term "NorEs rs expressing the real aim and character
Of these little essays.
The title such meagre hnu vital and sublime
theme-one which might well employ the profoundes' Wis
DOM the extensive learning and more than mortal
eoquence unfold il and upon their atten-
tion, should be unpre,ending possible. The ap-
prosches Of initiate worshipper In the Temple OF
knowledge, this grea, and crowning mystery, which
though employed about the infant in his cradle
worthy the study and teachings Of the High Priests
vii always be modest in proportion Just oi i,s
sacred value, and Of his capacities.
Bot proceed the subject before All fr's in
behalf Of Education should be both liberal and consistent
liberal that the education bestowed may be Of high char
and genial influence, and the extended
the largest possible number:-conssteni the
may be complete design, efficient and harmonious in
operation uniting oil Glasses in favor, and mpang
blessednoss to all.
Tho ibsrafy OF Education then, refers the extont Of
provision made for and the character OF teachings
and teachers employed The eoHsseaey OF schemes Tor
education refers those whom embraces within charm
ed circle the principles and details Of the SYSTEM and
harmony and efficiency operation. The lbealiy that
soud be shown will Iu spoken Of considering the
ssat d the provision for Education made by
State Upon the point u e0nsiseRey, the following
narks are offered Many illustrations might be gwen, but
will suffice al this time.
IL inconsistent and injurious make nvdious disinc.
lions between the education ci the poor and the rich
out tor the promotion Of primary schools aud be in.
different dspaIage the claims of
eges say Rive the benghied poor purchase them
knowledge but withhold ptanee from the rch they
need Il not; let them take OF themselves"
The diffusion oil useful knowledge by education is
greet blessing for rich aud poor, Tor the
least risk OF abrldging or restricting IT, by mistaken
The indirect benefits of Education in the genera
elevation Of Society in the tone which itsowly and siead
y mpsis 10 the thoughts and morals Of a people.
s, the valuable and lasting. The the poor
learn from State instruction, indispensable is
bat ihs 81 beat; aud the occasions nnumersble in
which they must Tor guidance and protection
more fortunate md better informed fellow. citizens. In
deed OF the best fruits of the education OF the poor
minds lbeTaIised they be
their confidence and suages upon those best qua6
cd instead VI being swsyed by ignorance and prejudice
which make them this Of demagogues and pretended
friends.
From the upper and educated classes the rulers Of the
communiy-those who WELD the greatest influence upon
society, and consequently upon the rights sad condition
the lower classes be and ought taken,
fhose who commence their among the low
20 share that infuence,-but often do
in IL <hey rse up To be ranked amongst the former How
important, that the higher orders Of community should
be duly qualified discharge the important
sponsbiues devolyng upon them; and that promi
cnt or public should indeed be light TO ali arounc
him. The education Of the high and rich therefore, be-
great blessing To the humble poor; and when ihf
truth Is candidy impressed upon the minds of EACH
both aided aud encouraged by the State
themselves for the privileges and of respee
tive stations the bonds and sympsthes Of society
strengthened; all become paris Of harmonious family
and devotion 10 kind and bene6cen Parent kDded r
every breast The rich and the poor nhab the same
Isnd-ofen the same dwtng they their contribution,
the Golfers. and should be permitted drink
nke in proportion TO their necessities from the
Siate lberaiiy. All other schemes Of improvement ur,
for the benefit u both Conditions and why should
the grandest and most Important
To some, this earnest exhort1uOn may seem
Ty but there facts aud tendencies enough known "a
the writer. for him TO deem IL useful and pertinent lie
who seeks to enlghten any community by deyong him
self mainly exclusively to the education Of the
classes puts his candle under busho" but when he also
informs and improves the upper he "puts candle
stick. and gvcb light to a that are in the community
An intelligent, refined moral upper class "Ciiy
hill that be hid" Intelligence may be diHused
from higher lower; aud the elevated the standard
az excellence and knowledge among the higher walks OF
Iiie the more generally aud widely they diused
throughout the masses This bS dull moraising, but
10 impoftsnt truth!
The following from Prof fuckers "Inereasc
&c Of the United States in fifty years." will further illus
Vstc these observations:
OF the many substantial benefits Of educating the PEG
pie IL 10 scarcely necessary speak since wherever
the experiment has been made has found fayou
industry prudence, temperance and honesty, and thus
pesty cooduce TO the responsibility aud happiness Of
fusion peculiarly strong in this country, where the poo
pie being the sole Of political power. all Legislation
aud measures OF public policy must IN greater or less de
gree reflect the opinions and feelings Of great
fhe community and be wise and liberal, weak and
row-mnded according the character Of those by who's
suHrsges suthority is given and is taken away n tn
body Of the people not instructed aud intelligent hov
they understand their n,crosts-how distinguish
he honest purposes Of tho patriot from the smooth preenee
Of the Approximations feel tho paramount obi cations
lsv, order, justice, and public aithl ~"
The respective claims Of Primary snd Collegiate Edu
eston Upon the bounty Of the State have been very strong
" add ably urged by Of the eminent writers th
one, In me insncy Of this Colony tho other when ',
just shout asserting Independence Their word
of wisdom su stand in oil their force for guidane
aud instruction The advocate VI primary Education IA
tbs poor. the celebrated Adam Smith, who certsinl
IN favor q Government having Hffle do for an
do with the people, az possible Ills this hes
not lees striking, than true. lie first shews how h
body of the people in societies far advanced
are sbis inoecus deeenesoy, and then he points on
bob III. remedy and the preventive Our people, however
have many Of interest and excitement, cacuae
prevent the doll mOnotony Of which he speaks. Sul
hns remarks have dfoot application 10 lie says
''3ut though tho people cannot, in any ciyze
society be well instructed people Of rank
forsuns essential parts Of education, however,
reaf, wrIe and eccount be acquired early D,
nod Of % that the greater part Of those who
be bred NE lowest occupations, have time acquir
ttem before they be employed IN those oecupaton
For very small expense. the public facilitate,
courage. and imPo-o upon smOs the whole bod
81 die people, the Necessity Of acquiring hOse most
tal paris % eduestioa.
The psbc csa facilitate th. sequson, by establshn
m every parish 90 district lte school, where ehdfen
lsecaf.r may shord h."
"a withos the proper Of the iats eetss fseu
u~< u msa, ts possible, contemplate Than
seward add seems 20 be Insulated and defgmed " 81