Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-11

collecting and diffusing Information, not only
concerning the school system OF other States.
from which we may choose good and reiecf
EVIL; but also concerning the actual condition
and peculiar wants Of every portion Of our
State, 10 which we may adaptour own sys-
tefi. From the mutual communications
which would be received BY the Central
Committee and the several county ASsoeia
tons. as well as from the Reports, Journals
and Statistics published elsewhere. unques-
tionably much that is useful in this respee,
might be obtained. The errors Of those who
have gone before us may be and will be AVOID.
ed the workings OF our own system will he
scru,nized : its objectionable features will b,
brought to the notice Of the Associations,
remedies win be suggested; amendments bro.
posed; Improvements engrafted--its benefits
will be seen and felt, and they viii be brought
TO the notice of the Indifferent and careless
its operation will be extended, and Ignorance
we hope win finally give place 10 knowledge;
knowledge, iftrue, will bsng virtue. and viz.
tue happiness.
There are other advantages, no less benef
cial, which may and we have no doubt viii
flow from the organization proposed; among
these will be the establishment Of Literary So.
cieties and Libraries, by which the sources Of
knowledge will be opened 10 thousands who
are now deprived Of such advantages BY dis
lance and want Of concerted action.
We are aware that many enaciments for the
promotion Of Education are inscribed upou
our statute book. We know that the last
Legislature devoted a considerable share Of its
time TO the subject, and that it passed various
acts to enable the people in their several coun.
ties, To make provision for general education
AZ.
whilst Others have been warmly opposed and
finally rejected by the communities TO whom
they apply. There are laws enough in exis.
tence, however defective many of them may
be in the details. But the Education move
ment,n as il has been termed, is not for mere
laws Its object is to frame and fashion the
public mind to appreciate the importance and
necessity of general education in the State.
This accomplished, and even laws to hinder.
cannot impede its progress. However strong
and emphatic sanction may be given to Ed,
ucaton, as measure of State policy, by the
Legislature, il cannot and will not be bene6-
cially encouraged unless by the fixed approba-
ton 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 your attention. therefore, fellow
citizens, 10 this subject, we do SO for the pur.
pose of asking YOU to aid in CONVINCING the
public mind Of the absolute necessity of edu.
cation to the well-beDg and permanent pros
perity and glory Of the State We deprecale
al angry discussions of the subject We dis.
card all bitter contests about mere matters 81
detail We cavil not at the proposition e
each other. We lay aside all such questions
as the consideration Of what particular CLASSES
will be most benefited or. as Imagination iaag
have it, most injured, by our measures. The
cause of education connot be pushed forward
by dissensions about minutiG-- wheiherschools
should be established by mere Technical
majority, or by a two-thirds vote. 1t must re-
ly, like political parties, upon fleeing majon
ties. Save il from the necessity Of counting
noses at every Spring election Save il from
being compelled to resort to arts and applan-
ces Of electioneering 1t must appeal to the
head and tho heart--to the minds of those
who think and who win use their influence 10
persuade the people TO 60 with all their ener-
been fully convinced of the benehcent effects
of general education in social. moral and
economical point OF view, the pubic sentiment
which they will give birth to will rise like
beacon above the mass Of dead letter legisIa
( We call upon you, then, in the name Of the
Convention whose agents we are--in lhe
name of those patriots and sages whose re-
commentators have been so often and 50
earnestly pressed upon you--by the reputation,
the renown, OF our beloved Commonwealth
by every consideration OF pride, of interest aud
of virtue, that you will not permit the present
opportunity TO escape, but that you will make
one more united and efficient effort to rouse
and re-anmate the State, and impress upon
| her people the solemn truth, that Education
and knowledge are the great bulwarks Of then
| freedom.
! The following are the Committees appoint
ed for the Counties of Berkeley, Frederick,
Jefferson and MorgNn
Berkele,i--Wm l.. Boak. James L. Camp
bell, L. p. Hunter, David ii. Conrad, George
Doh, Jacob Van Doren, Seaman Garard,
Richard McShery, Charles j. Faulkner.
Frederick William Stephenson, Charles
Z. Shyock, John f. Wall, James Gather, J.
III. Carson, John Bell, William Bent, Bush
rod Taylor, Lloyd Logan, Thomas b. Camp
bell, Nathaniel Brent, Thomas A. Tidball
Robert Y Conrad.
Je6ersm--David Snively, Samuel Stone,
William j. Turner, b. L. Towner, J. 5. Gal
laher, G. w. Turner, Rev. w. b. Duuon, J.
c. r. Taylor, Gerard b. Wager, Hugh Nc.
Alear, John Wernwag, Anthony Kennedy.
.Morga-Cromwel Oriek, Jacob Rieeh,
ard, John O'Ferrall, NJ Vanorsdaln. Samuel
Alternately, o. f. Hieronomous, Jacob Ash
Uberto Mendenhal
ANDREW STEVENSON,
HENRY l.. BROOKE,
CHARLES +. OSBORNE,
TI1OS. II. ELLIS,
SOCRATES MAUPIN,
! WILLIAM S. PLUMER,
! RALEIGH II. DANIEL,
| VIM. Fl. MACFARLAND,
JAMES LYONS,
| PETER V. DANIEL, in,
| RICH'D B. GOOCH,
GEORGE w. MUNFORD,
| HENRY w. MONCURE,
TERRIBLE TORNADO----Loss Of Lille
and Property at Wilmington, Del.