Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-28

the requisite amount of taxation has been maUnifie
the object and character of the schools themselve
have been distorted. Such attacks will DC best me
by discussion to be had i'm the manner we propose
1t Is not our purpose desire TO urge any ON,
particular system Of schools. A chief benefit de
nvable from the contemplated organization, consists
I'm the facilities ii affords for collecting and dusing
information, not only concerning the school systems
oil other States, from which we may choose GOoc
and reject evil but also concerning the actual con
dltl0n and peculiar wants of every portion Of oul
State, TO which we may adapt our own system
> rom the mutual communications which would be
received by the Central Committee and the several
county Associations, well rs from the Reports
Journals and Statistics Published elsewhere, un-
questionably much that is useful i'm this respect
might be obtained. The errors of those who have
gone before us may be and will be avoided the
workings OF our own system will be scrutinized {;
It's Objectionable features will be brought TO the no
tee OF the Associations remedies will he suggest
ed amendments proposed; Improvements engraft-
edits benefits will be seen and felt and they will
be brought TO the notice Of the Indifferent and
less-its operation will be extended, and ignorance
we hope will finally give place to knowledge ::
knowledge, if true, will brtg virtue, and virtue
happiness.
There are other advantages, no less beneficial
which may and we have no doubt will flow from
the organization proposed; among these will be the
establishment of Literary Societies and Libraries
by which the sources of knowledge will be opened
To thousands who now deprived of such advan-
tages by distance and want Of concerted action.
| We are aware that many enactments for the pro
motion OF Education inscribed upon otif Statute
book. We know that the last Legislature devoted
considerable share of its time to the subject and
That 1t passed various acts To enable the people in
their several countless to make provision for general
education. Some OF these statutes have proved ac-
ceptable whilst Others have been warmly opposed
and finally rejected by the Communities to whom
! lhey apply. There are laws enough i'm existence
however defective many of them may be in their
details. But the Education movement" as it has
been termed, Is not Tor mere laws. Its object is TO
frame and fashion the public mind to appreciate the
Importance and necessity Of general education in tile
! State.
| This accomplished, and even laws to hinder
cannot impede its progress. However strong and
emphatic sanction may be given to Education, as
measure of State policy, by the Legislature, it can
not and will hol be beneficially encouraged unless
by the fixed appreciation of the people themselves,
who are the source of all power, and who must at
last carry out all great measures, however and
wherever they may originate.
In Invoking yoiir attention., therefore, fellow
clhzens, to this subject, do SO for the purpose of
asking you to aid in CONVINCING the public mind
OF the absolute necessity of education to the we'll
being and permanent prosperity and glory of the
State. We deprecate all angry discussions of the
subject We discard all bitter contests about mere
matters OF detail We cavil not at the propositions
OF each other. We lay aside all such questions as
the consideration Of what particular classes viii be
most benefited, Or as imagination may have it, most
injured, by our MEASURES. The cause of education
carnot be pushed forward by discussions about mi
nutl@-whether schools Shotd be established by n
mere technical majority or by n two thirds VOTE
IL must not rely, like political parties upon fleeing
majorties. Save it from the necessity of counting
noses at every Spring election Save it from BEING,
compelled to resort to the arts and appliances of
electloneermg 1t must appeal to the head and
the heart-to the minds of these who think aid
Will use their influence TO persuade the people TO 90
with all their energy into this enterprise. When
they shall have been fully convinced OF the benefi
cent effects of geIiera education in social moral
and economical point of view, the public sentiment
which they will give birth to will rise like beacon
above the mass of dead letter legislation by which
1t is now encompaSsed
! Necall upon you, then, in the name OF the Con
Ventlon whose agents we are-in the maine of those
patriots and sages Whose recommendations have
been so often and so earnestly pressed upon Volt
by the reputation, the renown, of oiiF beloved Com
mOnweaitii-by every consideration of pride of in
terest and of Write, that you will not permit the
present opportunity to escape, but that you will
make one united and efficient effort to rouse
ana re-anmate the State. and impress upon her peo-
/ pie the solemn truth, that Education and Know
ledge are the great buwarks of their freedom
The following are the committees Appointed BY
liS-the counties of Loudoun and King William
and the city of Richmond; being tthitted. for the
reason that in them Associations have been already
formed: We ihssft only those of neighbornp
counties
Allegheny Alexander Raghill. John Artt. John
Callahan, Dion G.. Pharr, j. Steel. Joseph Dam
ron. Robert Skeen, John H. Hansbarger, James
| Warren, IampSon Sawyers
| Augusta-NVm Davis. Sam'l F., Clarke. Frank
| lin L. Geiger. Chas. III. Lewis Rev b. Nj. Smith
Rev. t. t. Castleman, r. S. Brooke. F.. Stribng
Rev. +. Mcfarland. Rev. JAMES McElrov Rev
X. w. Bailey, Jas. A. Cochran. VIM. Kinney.
4. III. ii. Stuart. John Wayt. Elijah tIqgshsad
Thomas McCorl,le, Samuel Harnsbarger, John NJ
McCue. Col. f. McCue, James Walker. James
/ Points, L. j. Niche, j. b. Breckinrdge p A.
! lleisbill, Jacob Baylor, John ID. lmboden, VIM. II .
/ Hartman.
| Bath-Charles Stuart. VIM. c. Burger. David
G.. McGuffin. DR. John Brockenbrouph. Major John
Bolar, A. III. McClntc, Andrew H. Byrd, John d:
Hamilton, Stephen A. Porter
! Peudieion-Henry lille, Benjamin Hiner, VIM
! Mccoy. Thos Jones. Andrew W. DYER James b
| Campbell, Jesse Hinke. and Daniel H. Armen-
trout.
! Pocahontas Beard, VIM. Arbogast Pa
trick Bruhey, Preston Moofe, Henry NJ NIofIctt.
and Wilson G.. Price
Roanoke-Col. J. McCauley Joseph Pritchard.
VIM. NJ. Peyton. Gen. Watts. Frederick johnson
| Capt. Robert Creig, Henry A. Edmuntson and
/ George w. ShanIs.
ttockingham-Col. Kinney. G. Douglas GRAY.
Aug. Waterman. Robert Grattan. Edward II.
Smith. George w. kemper. Abraham Byrd, VIM
p. Byrd, Conrad ". Kite, and Stephen Harnsharger
Rockbddge-S. Med. Reid S. Med. Moore.
J. Il. Harper, WIN. NJ. Gold, ID. p. Curry. DIR.
Arch Graham, Rev. George D. Armstrong. Col.
| f.. Smith. Rev. Mr.. Nelson. John Echols, Samuel
Walkup, Samuel Cold, and Joseph Bell.
Staunton--pikp Powers W., IT,a,;or D.,