Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-14
EDUCATION.
Tn tbe Ediiosof The ENQUIRER.


although the FURNISHED arms Of the combaianls
already tell that again the battle in our Spring
Elections is at hand, yet the moment is compare
lively quiet and may not ask column oil your
Journal for subject, the importance OF which,
whilst all acknowledge, seems, from some stranse,
;ntaluation. 10 have ceased to be remembered and
NAV not ask, MeSsrs. Editors, why il is that
vou who Justly WELD SO potent an influence
over The minds of our people, IN political
pont Of view-you, who, l know, ieel lha'
zeal Tor all that concerns the well being OIL VII
ginia. which characteristics her generous sons
You. whose pen, when drawn, has so frequent
" awakened the enthusiasm OF her people
in behalf of measures ptomotive OF her IN
lerests have suffered 50 long this subject tc
sleep? Is it that your journal is purely po
litical? Is il that care of party claims all your
attention Surely not. There are interests ABOVE
Marty. There are measures in which all are
equally interested. There is much 10 be done by
The Legislature, in which the distinctions OF party
are LOST in the feelings of philanthropy. know
your hear, is open TO entertain them-your mlnc
sufficiently expanded 10 grasp them. The hi>to-
nv Of Virginia legislation, in regard 10 our system
of common schools, is an anomaly OF onr age
With a Government proiessedly founded upon
The intelligence Of the people, and Constitution
allowing almost universal suffrage, We have done
emphaicaly nothing for The education OF me
people. "The School Fund"-That, Sirs, II
| NAV form my estimate from its effects in
my own county, is The merest apology with
which The minds Of men ever cheated
Far better in my opinion, sink il in the waters Of
The deep blue sea, than continue 50 poor subter-
iuge 10 lull conscience TO repose. am mol so hol
an advocate for reform, as 10 approve generally
the policy of pulling down established in>lilu-
lions, before We have completed others 10 supply
their places; but 50 long as his miserable system
is continued our public men, behodine the sha-
dow, forget il is but shadow and thus that same
apathy which has heretofore held them in shan e
less activity will hold them still. Satisfied with
the correctness of this view, would hail with
pleasure the move from any quarter 10 abolish al
once the entire system. The rubbish al least
which prevents The structure OF 4 building suited
10 the wants the people, would be removed, and
have no fears but that the architect would rea-
div be formed 10 construct il. | despair. how
ever of finding that man in our public councils,
who can so far forget the apathy OF ease, who
can so long gect the issues of party as 10 de-
vote The energies of his mind TO The accomplish
ment OF 50 great good 10 the State. have watch
ed with eYerish anxiety 10 witness some action
BY our Legislature till Hope, deferred, has made
the heart sick"
Action, if action is had, must come from the
people; and what engine more powerful than an
enlightened press, 10 operate upon them! What
cause presents claims TO It's attention oil higher
consideration? We need no arguments 10 con-
vince US OF this. The evidence OF necessity
for some action is as universal as the jurisdiction
OF Virginia. The cottage West OF our noun
tains as the cabin East, cries 10 the philanthro-
pist Educate educate, educate the people. =
Their happiness is al stake. The stability oil our
- ~
speak ofunvcIsal suffrage, when your voter cannot
read name upon his ticket Why speak oil
representative Government, when, for The want OF
facilities OF acquiring knowledge in his youth,
the grey headed old man, has never been, during
a long life. competent 10 read even your Bill OF
Rights! The indifference manifested upon this
subject is 10 Inc wholly incomprchcnsible.-
There are classes OF men in the Stale whose
voice when unedly expressed our Legislature
dare not disregard. There are denominations nu-
merons and influential which associated for
other and perhaps higher purposes and not embra-
cling education directly as an object Of association
vet must regard il as powerful auxiliary 10 the
success Of their mission. Protestantism ITSELF TO
combat adverse systems, mus, have an educated
people upon whom 10 act-a people capable al
least ri reading the Bible. | would, Messrs.
Editors, carry the Bible in one hand, and The
srelng book in the other into every white family
in Virginia and 10 every member OF every white
family But do not understand me as asking
aid OF our Legislature 10 accomplish the former.
This, private benevolence, acting through the
agency OF Sunday schools, and Colpourleurs,
will surely effect. 1t is left very properly where
il should ever remain. But would appeal 10
every benevolent and patriotic man in Virginia.
to lend his influence 10 induce the people in their
majesty, 10 accomplish the latter. would have
petition from every county, would have
pledge from every candidate would have de-
termination every where manifested, that our next
Legislature shall DO something in this matter
am ready to accold full credit, for the establish
ment OF the Military Institute. It's utility none
cr branches of learning-yet we have done none
loo much. Our colleges are the ornaments of our
Stale fulfilling well The objects OF their foundation.
Their sphere ofaction mus, however, ofnecessity,
be limited. would appeal 10 those, whom for
tune has permitted 10 enjoy their advantages, 10
come forward and assist in doing something 10
benefit those who may be less fortunate
than they. Our University, the establishment
OF which still reflects honor upon its great
protector, numbers already among its gradu-
aes, many of our most promising men;
and in the organization of her society of
alumni, | had hattercd myself This subject Of
CDIlllUU SCHDDlS hOui HicCt VIII CdIIl anu St
rious consideration know of no source from
which a ludicious system OF education for The
people should more properly come. Reared, as
the institution has been, By The fostering hand
of the State, nurtured and sustained as she now
is, would be an act of flial gratitude, as honor
able TO the University, as advantageous 10 the
State And what society of men possessed so
many facilities for furnishing a plan, (which
would unite the experience OF our sister States,
and the wisdom OF our own In what section
of Virginia are MOI her members found In
what State of cur Union Go not her sons reside
May not hope. Mes>rs. Editors, that the alumni
of our own State will give it their attention.
Is there not one of them who possesses The ia
lent, the leisure and nav add, the noble am
biton, 10 prepare a scheme by The next annual
meeting of the Society, which may De submitted
10 lis notice and thus 20 before our Legislature
accredited with the high sanction of lis name .
The noisy plardits-the high wrought eulogies,
attendant upon political distinction, may be more
fascinating and Inactive TO the imagination;
but The successful development Of plan extend
ing 10 our people The means of common edu-
cation, would surely work out for its protector
an inheritance OF far more exceeding Joy, and
constitute far more enduring claim 10 our sra-
ttude. ONE OF The PEOPLE.
ORANGE COUNTY
The last Advocate says, that Mr. lrvins's ma
jority in Orange will be some 80 or 40. On the
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