Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-16

In reading over your prospectus, IN Tue Ehqui'
rer OF Friday it gave me very great pleasure TO
see that you had pledged yourselves TO devote
portion olyour paper TO The vitality imporantsub
iect OF Education, and that Agriculture likewise
would receive part OF your attention. This lat
Ter subject has, of late years. excited very great
/ interest among the farmers of the State many OF
whom have changed almost entirely heirod sys-
TENS of farming, and adopted the course which the
lights of scientific investigations have proven 10
! be the best. This branch Of industry richly de-
serves all the care and attention which you pro-
! mise TO bestow upon II.
| only regret that you did not express some So
licitude for the manufacturing interest, which is
destined 10 become, if wisely and prudenlly con-
ducted. a most important source Of Virginia 5
wealth and power. The Stale possesses means
and facilities for manufacturing purposes, unsur-
passed BY those OF any other Stale in The Union.
\ When express my anxiety 10 see this branch OF
industry developed By our enterprlsing citizens,
do moi mean 10 intimate that protective Iariii,
or any other Tariff bearing unjustly and une-
oually on the people, is necessary 10 accomplish
The end and 10 ensure stability 10 the undertaking
While farmers and day-laborers receive no pro-
lection from the Government in the form
of lax imposed upon articles brought IN
competition with their own productions II
Z unfair anu uuJuSL lndl tIIC LuduuluStaIibS -
terest should receive the partial and exclusive
care of the Government. II | understand you
rightly, YOU desire 10 see all pursuits flourish,
provided they RELY upon their own exertions Tor
success. So far, then, | entirely coincide with
YOU The cause OF Education, which, OF all
others, most deeply concerns every class OF our
citizens, is The one which now should receive the
support and care of the public press OF all par
ties; for, no matter how widely you Editors difier
on political matters, YOU certainly agree on this
great aud momcnlous question, and you may,
therefore, join hands, and fight together for lhis
noble cause. This, 10 me, is delightful refec-
ton. | rejoice 10 think that there exists no diver
SHY of opinion or sentiment, among Wings OF
Democrats, as 10 the importance Of Immediately
taking the most active and vigorous steps 10
bring about reformation in The plan of public
Schools which al present exists in Virginia, and
under which We have suffered such evil conse-
quences, as the census OF 1910 so clearly demon
strates. The present system of Primary Schools
is direct charge and expense 10 the State, with
out rendering any equivalent, or accomplishing
the end designed by those who passed The laws
which brought them into existence. ought 70
set ourselves 10 work 10 devise some new plan,
that will remedy The defects of the old one, and
give some grounds for hoping that all attempts
nj improving the Intellectual condition Of Inc
poor children Of The Stale will not be vain and
lruilless. II we can devise some plan when
will operate bcneicially al first The people will be
inspired with The hope OF ultimately realizlns
their most sansnine expectations, and they VIII,
with the greatest aacrty, bear any burden Of tax
alton which promises TO contribute 10 The consun-
nation OF so important an object. Inc puolc
press, then, must sound the alarm, and awaken
public feeling; after which, there is no reason 10
doubt or despair of the most brilliant success
No al 81 time demon Str1tPS me
potential influence of the public press; II IS The
great lever OF public action, which is able, when
it moves, TO put every other body in motion. II
dituses light and knowledge in every corner and
section OF the country, and when wisely and dis,
creelly managed, will effect the greatest amount
Of good for The people. The people OF Virginia
are generous, disneresed, and patriotic; any
object that promises 10 elevate the character and
honor OF The Stale, will receive their liberal sup
poii.
A gleat desideratum with us, seems 10 be- the
procuring OF competent teachers The Stale
ought il seems 10 me, 10 provide these by requiring
all persons Offering their services, in the capacity
of teachers 10 produce certificates OF their quail
| ficalions, &c. We have 100 long been imposed
upon by men, pretending 10 possess the necessary
qualifications as teachers, who are, in reality, the
velies impostors in The world. The Legislature
ought 10 enact some law on this subject, by which
men of education may reasonably hope 10 receive
remuneration tor the labor and expense they
have incurred in attaining their proficiency: and
then the children who receive instruction from
them will not bring such shame and reproach upon
the State. throw out this suggestion merely for
public consideration without further extending
inv remarks upon il, or without further showing
the evil consequences which are attributable 10
the quaelcry in many Of the teachers throughout
the Stale.
Another cause which has retarded the pro-
cress Of education among me poorer classes OF
orr children, is The expense they must necessari-
Is incur if they 90 TO men competent 10 instruct
them. No man, however competent 10 undertake
The responsible task of teacher, can afford TO
instruct the youths OF the land, as they ought 10
be, without receiving liberal remuneration for
his services. Hence, many OF our scholars are
compelled 10 resort to cheaper tearhcrs, whose
charges. although nominay less than those of
able and efficient teachers, are in reality much
dearer. This is defect which the enlightened
wisdom OF our legislators will no doubt remedy,
when public opinion, like a tornado, begins 10
stir upon the subject ! trust Messrs. Editors,
YOU will pursue this subject with your able pen,
and endeavor now 10 make it the GREAT ISSUE
before the people. They have decided all The
other issues-now let them take this, which more
Immediately concerns their welfare than any Of
the others, into consideration, and not rest until
they begin 10 realize some Of the fruits of their
| aborS and anXieties. A PLAIN MAN
1--WE entirely concur in the sensible views OF
our correspondents trust thai the ball OF Edu
cation, now set in notion will be propelled BY The
popular impulse. Our columns shall be open 10
short, vigorous essays on this and the other sub
ecls 10 which our correspondent refers. That
We omitted any allusion 10 Manufactures, fol-
which Virginia presents 50 many advantages,
was far from intentional, and must have proceed
ed from the hurry OF composition. We heartily
concur in the sentiment, that manufactures "wise-
" and pruden,ly conducted without looking 10
the aid OF unjust and oppressive legislation, shonld
receive the iavoring hand and voice Of every Viz
gnian-Enquirer.