True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-01-21

fixed valuation. I have thought it reason.
able TO suppose, that planters and others
owning lands on the margin or near the
Mississippi river, seeing that the State had
tn means, and was prosecuting the work
with determined spirit, would gladly aid
in its speedy completion, when thereby the
lands which they row own, are made more
valuable, and those which they take in
payment for their work are increased in
worth by the labor they expend in buying
them.
EDUCATION.
The Interesting subject of education has
engroSSpd large interest in the public
mind for some years past. 1t must be gra-
lifying to the patriot and philanthropist TO
witness the Gnanimity with which it has
been espouse1 and if the Legislature re-
a)cuds, as il doub.,.ss sill, to the prevail
iug pubic sentiment the imperative COM
maud of the constitution, that schools and
the means of education shall forever be en-
c0uaged III this State will no longer 90
anheedsd. Knowledge" IN the language
OF the constitution, being necessary to
GOOD government, the preservation of Ii
b3ry aud the happiness of mankind" no
Arguments need be resorted to, to convince
the representatives. Of free people, that IL
is their duty to encourage It's general dlffu-
sion.
Let it be borne in mind that the boys
who are now growing up too many of
them IN ignorance aud vice, must IN a
very !cw years takeour places, and become
controllers ofour country'S destiny; and let
rs not disguise from ourselves the stubom
fact that the ignorant aud vicious of these
under orr forms OF government, must be
as potential at tie ballot box, for good or
for evil. rs the most learned and virtuous;
and lam fully persuaded, we will employ
all the means III our power, to educate
them-to direct them IN the ways OF "reIl-
gion, morality and knowledge" and thus
quicken their devotion to their country.
Benefits are not priceless. If we expect
to enjoy the blessings OF education, or 10
transmit its fruits to our posterity, we must
expect 10 pay for them. TO the great mass
of the people this declaration will neither
be surprising or unacceptable They do
not expect knowledge and familiarity
with the intricacies ofgovernmentto spring
up spontaneously in the minds of their
children-good fruit does not grow upon
GncUiryated grounds, bat as iilsnes and
other noXiouS weeds take possession OF an
unpoughed field, so do vice aud wicked
ness spring up in the mind which is not
trained TO God and the country. Govern
mcnt gives protection to our lives our lib
erty, and our property but who shall give
protection 10 government we neglect 1t!
II il he true that abe blessings of govern
mrut, like the devs of Heaven, descend
alike on the rich and the poor" it must be
truc, that the rich and poor are alike bound
TO contribute 20 its support.
We contribute Annually 70 the support ot
all the various Departments otgov=rnmant,
10 the legislative. TIE judiciary and the eX-
ecutive; we contribute 10 the erection OF
prison houses aud temples of justice. we
contribute to the sacred altar and its divine
ministrations, butte that which lies at the
bottom ofthem all and without which, the
whole must become "as a sounding brass
and tink,lng symbol, we contribute moth
ing.
Education has many votarieS but few
contributors. What should we think of a
man who had built a ship, and sent her
upon distant aud pcrilous sea, laden with
rich and costly goods without insurance!
Yet, have We erected government, laden.
ed it with priceless jewels of liberty, and
cast itupon the uncertain element of pop
ular will, untcmpered, as yet, by the hall
lowing influence of education; and shall
we still refuse TO insure the safety of that
government, by refusing TO contribute to
the only means that can give it safety-the
education Of the people? The rich may
say, we have no interest in the education
Of the poor There could be no greater
or more fatal error. Pride, the love of our
offspring. the ephemeral pleasure of wit
Messing the bud of youth nurlured by our
care, as it expands, and grows, and ripens
iuto manhood, these teach the rich 10 edu
cate their own children, but the higher
considerations of patriotism-the holier
Cause Of religion aud moraity-the pure
and uusiain,d lovs Of human happiness
teach them 20 educate the poor.
Having had ms attention drawn 10 this
subject, | opened a correspondence with
Gentlemen IN different parts Of the coun-
try, with a view to elicit information
Their replies, together with such statistics
and other documentary evidence rs | have
been enabled to collect, are at the service