Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-02
EDUCATION.

4
elements of politics al home and the tidings oil
war abroad, we can never, whilst we profess 10 be
well-wishers OF The interests OF our old Stale, be
! Indifferent to the promotion OF Education among
the people of every class in life. Apathy may
come over the minds OF many who have been
jealous. but we will never despair. As long as
we live on TO see our country prospecting in trade,
and prospecting in the development Of physical
resources, we shall not desist from urging the i'm
portance of seeking and cultivating the treasures
OF The mind.
We are not-no friend OF general Education
can Dissatisfied with the progress which has
been made in bringing about an improvement oil
our school system. 1t is no disparasemenl TO
those who, by pen and tongue, have endeavored
during The past twelve months 10 bring The public
mind to feel The necessity of general system OF
Education, to say thai their efforts have not been
crowned with success. No plan for the insiruc-
ton OF the masses has as yet been put in opera
| ton. The results wished for by The Education
Convention, and by various associations since
formed, have not been attained. Large masses
OF the people still continue 10 grow up in 'gno.
rance, and others are yet 10 be born win Inc
same ingorious prospect before them.
But is this cause enough 10 make men OF hrm
purpose despair2 Forbid the thought Why des-
pair2 Why give up any thing that will, when
carried out, confer inestimable public and pri-
yate bene6isl Not many years since, lev
single minded men undertook by association and
persuasion 10 carry The repeal OF the Corn Laws
which had existed in England from time imme-
mortal. Their efforts were met with indifference
BY some, and derision by others. Steadily they
went ON in the teeth Of opposition and persecu-
ton, until they finally accomplished all that they
had desired to secure. The Corn Laws of Eng
land, which once seemed as firmly established
as the hereditary nobility OF the realm, are e1-
inct-prostralcd by The eIertons OF an associa-
ton at one time diminutve in numbers and
means and afterwards, though powerful and
! rich, never using anything but peaceful and arsu-
men,atiyc weapons The leader is extolled by
the Prime Minister Of England, whom ne has
converted. is feted by the King of the French,
and (aboye ally is honored with munihcent
testimonial by. voluntary contributions from The
| British nation.
Let the friends of general Education in the Old
| Dominion derive from This brilliant example
some Indictment for association and some hope ioi
| ultimate and triumphant success, when their or
| eanzation shall be completed. II cannot, now
| ever, be said that they have within The past year
done nothing! We know this TO be The fact a.
regards this vicinity, and we have evidence Of
t:,,/ tnor ana rfo
no district system of schools has been established,
still there has been an increased liveliness and de-
sire on the part Of many parents, who were De-
fore Indifferent 10 sending their children to school
The number of schools in Richmond city has
increased, and so OF the number OF scholars. The
latter will certainly be constantly augmented, and
MS the number of scholars increases the qualiiica-
| lions of the teachers will be raised.
Two shining instances have come 10 our know
| ledge, where young men OF the very best college,
ate education have declined the seeming allure
| meuts OF what is here called professional life,
Though we cannot see why the teacher should
moi be classed as aprofes.ional man OF the purest
water) and determined TO devote themselves 10
the instruction oil youth. One of them is the son
OF distinguished legal and eminently literary
gentleman, now deceased, and the other the son
ola gentleman long prominent in the State and
Federal councils, and now holding place which
he honors more than il could honor him. BON
are descended from ancestry OF the highest repue
in our Stale Colonial, and in our Revolutionary
history. They will have the satisfaction hereaf-
Ter of rejoicing we predict at the stand they have
now Just taken. How many young men there
re in many OF our counties, who, instead oil de
voting the first years OF their manhood 10 idleness,
mot reproachul generally, but arising from mere
want OF constant occupalion,) might confer last
ing benefit upon themselves, and rescue from OBJ
scurily hundreds of youth But they dcspise The
vocation OF the teacher! And he who despises ii
is ungraeiul 10 those by whom he was taught.
About year since, few young men in this
CITY. unaided By any other than their own con-
lribu,ions, determined 10 establish free school
in the neighborhood OF the Stale Armory, where
reside number of children whose parents are
either members Of the Public Guard, or persons
endowed in the factories and al the Tredegar Iron
Works. They employed an estmable teacher
and The school was opened. As many as MY
scholars boys and girls, attended ii, and the re-
suit of years teaching, we are happy TO say
ha, been most satisfactory and encouraging, as
nroved by the recent examination. Many dliil-
entities had TO be encountered in consequence OIL
the novelty OF the undertaking, and the broken
accent OF some OF the children whose paIenlage
uas WEIGH But the result has been triumphant
and i. shows what lew persons, when associa
led, may accomplish, with very little trouble ane
expense to themselves