Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-20
For The Enquirer
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
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The subjec, Of general education is every day
assuming more and more importance. There is
an interest felt and manifested on this subec,
now, by The people al large, which itnever before
This received. The great TRUTH that Education
is absolutely essential 10 the happiness and IA
tional enjoyment Of individuals, and the best and
lasting interest of the State, is admitted by all
great statesmen, and desired by every philosopher
This march Of Truth, and the change in pub
lie opinion, places many mere politicians and sell
fish aspirants in an awkward dilemma. To op-
pose Education, would be 10 place themselves be-
hind the age in which they live: 10 advocate lax
alton 10 raise money, without which there can be
no schools, is 10 go in opposition 10 the will oil
many of their constituents, and therefore to jeo.
pardize their election. What shall we do (say
lhev) under these circumstances If we come
ont in favor of taxation in accordance with The
wishes Of the friends of Education, We may not
get majority il we take sides with the anti
taxation parry, who prefer 10 do without Educa-
ton rather than submit 10 be taxed, we may Still
lose our election, and will surely go in opposition
TO many Of the most intelligent, respectable and
influential men oil society.
Many there are who will attemp; 10 steer between
Scylla and Charybdis they will joc in with
The tune Of Education, Education; laad il TO the
skies assert that they are as great friends OF Edu-
cation as any in the land though their heads a re
now grew, and many wrinkles in their faces, and
they have been all their lives as dumb AS idols in
pleading the cause and advocating the claims Of
Education This is done 10 gain some, as an
apostle said, 81 became all things 10 all men, that
might gain some" To please others, they would
raise The cry against the Cn,nersitn-sPeaa Of hei
extravaganza, her useless cost, and her great e1
pense 10 the State. They will with sacrileeious
hand, pull down this sacred monument OF liberty
this depository Of literature and science.
Bot, Virsinians, what is your duty in The pre-.
sent stale Of things, in reference 10 Education
ask you seriously, will you listen 10 any ,nsi.
rnatioa epen, in relation 10 the destruction oil
your own grea, State Universitr2 As soon
would listen TO Robert Ovens visionary scheme
of abolish!ng religion 10 benefit the world, i'm
prove society, and ameliorate the condition o.
mankind, as TO think for one moment, that any
man could advance the interests Of Education By
taking away the $4,000 annually given 10 The
University.
BOYS must learn something OF The rndimenis
OF their own language, and the principles OF Other
branches Of learning, before they are qualified 10
60 10 academies and high schools They must
prosecute their studies in these high schools BE-
fore they can be at all prepared 20 90 70 the Uni,
versity One great cause why there is so much
disorder al the University is, that young men SO
there without due preparation in preparatory
schools. A good common school is absolutely
necessary for any boy who wishes TO acquire a
good education. ], prepares him for The AGA