Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-25

tiers, able TO employ private tutors or TO send
their children abroad, and more than three times
as sparse as that of Virginia, has, nevertheless,
nearly half as many in her primary schools!
DE says, sour present school system is not so
black as it is painted" and quotes the last report
OF the Second Auditor, TO prove what2-why
merely, that the annual revenue OF the Literary
Fund has been more nearly expended of late years
than formerly; but 10 what purpose, with how
much or how little public benefit il was expended,
he neither did nor could show. Otthis however,
we may form some conjecture, from the facts set
forth in The same report that whilst only Dc, 800
"indigent children" attend The common schools for
0niv 50 daus on an acreage throughout the year
"a, 1876 OF hem besides the thousands OF Others
than "ind,gent children" OF whom no account is
taken, but who had no school within their reach,
had not an hours instruction.
"Oulis" says, our Literary Fund is "nearly &c
great in proportion 10 The white population, as
thai OF New York" Now the white population OF
New Yorkis By The census, 81 900 more than three
times as great as that Virginia. Three times the
amour! OF our Literary Fund, as correctly quoted
by "Outs" from the Auditors report, would be
S4 ,5o1 $50; which, taken from thai OF New York
as quoted also By "Oulis," leaves 81 ,26l 1851 =
And yet he talks Of my carelesness. Besides
he omits The fact, that besides the annual income
OF the School fund OF New York, much larger
sum is raised BY taxation which in addition 10
that income, is there expended on their common
schools In The conclusion of his article, "Ouls"
again ayowing himself friend of Education
as il the frequency Of such profession could al
Ter the character and tendency of his course
gives expression 10 his predominant feeling.
when he adds: "But let it not elbow Inter-
nal improvement out of State favor" Now,
what else could have suggested the impula-
tlon OF such an intention 10 the cause Of Edu
cation or its friends, but Consciousness on the
part OF the ultra friends Of Internal Improve
ment, OF entertaining similar intention them
selves, with respect 10 any scheme OF Popular
Education, which might be proposed-an inlen-
! ton, indeed now openly avowed BY some OF
them? Where was the need Tor any such rivalry
or collision between ihem2-and why could not
each be permitted 10 stand or fall upon its own
merits? And il We are 10 have such contest,
on whom will the responsibility OF exciting it
rest? Who was the assailant2 Was no,"Ouis"
himself? Did The friends OF Education, as such.
ever show this unworthy jealousy Of the interests
OF Internal Improvements? No; they felt that
their cause was one loo high and holy, TOO much
The cause Of all Virginia, OF humanity and OF
God, TO desecrate BY any par.zan srites or log
rolling legislation, in order 10 secure The largest
share in the plumber OF the public Treasury
They could not, therefore, entertain one feeling
OF rivalry or jealousy towards other interests, SO
inferior 10, and wholly disconnected with this; and
conscious of its intrinsic dignity, they salts
fled 10 present TO the Legislature not its humble
petitions for their favor and bounty, but its
high and imperative claims upon their i'm
mediate attention and service-clams, which,
il they be neglected now, will be hereafter
enforced by the commanding voice OF an in
dsnan people, denouncing against their faith
less or time.serving representatives the condem-
nation and Punishment from public honors, which
they will so well deserve
In conclusion, Messrs. Editors, permit me to
assure "Outis" that nothing like "inucndo" ever
was, or could be, resoned 10 BY me. What !
have 10 say, say as openly and as plainly As
can. The expressions which he considered as
'nuendos,' could not be intended for him, for
they were applicable only 10 class Of men actu-
acd BY motives; which some of them profess, but
which he had expressly disavowed the sincerity
Of which disavowaI had neither the right nor
the inclination to discIedit. Nothing is less TO
my taste than newspaper controversy on any sui
ect, but especially on this, which had hoped 10
see kept clear OF il; and had "Outis" refrain
from his unnecessary and insidious but therefore
more dangerous, assault upon The cause OF Popu-
lar Education, in advocating different and
wholly distinct interest or had any one else repe-
led that assault should have been much better
out interference with any favorile schemes or in
leresls OF others, in my humble efforts in behalf OF
accuse worthy OF The best energies and devotion
OF ererv VlRGINlAN.
II The two champions have maintained their
respective sides with skill and prowess, and the
verdict will be rendered BY the tribunal about 10
assemble in this city. To those arbers we now
propose TO leave the case, without further argu-
ment Our State Legislature and Congress will,
in few days, be upon us-and our narrow CO.
lumns will be necessarily closed 10 "Oulis" and
"Virginian" We feel satisfied that they will full.
ly appreciate our motives for closing the lists,
wherein they have proved themselves to possess
"true metal Enquirer.