Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-01-01
EDuCATION.

vIRGINIAN.
EDUCATION.
To the Editors of the Wing:
uentemen-A crisis has occurred the subject Of Po-
puar Education, which only jus,ies the efforts OF
learned Conventions, but calls loudly for free express
ION oil public sentiment generally. II to be beyond
controversy that Virginia has become subject reproac
on account OF the number Of her adolf sons and
daughters, who cannot read aud write. great amoun
Of labour has been already expended rather in cheating
the air., humbly think, than well advised for removing
this evil and Its odum. Another thing will premise We
Nrginans are sensitive people any thing like point
oil honor but we know too, that there more ways Of
settling difficulty than "hard knocks TO talk Off an
afair. is decidedly preferable the many than fairly
TO handle and adjust IL. Odium odum is potent word
and is now the great text with the multitude. But this
does appear be the way TO get the ignorant
illuminated. take, wish take your sound hints to
correspondents, while express my views OF this subject
Though feeble coming they do from the mass they NAV
be worth something. highly approve Of Gov. Mellow
ellis position in reference to the Legislative on
this SUBJECT The government of every people, should
have an to every interest of the public and be ever
ready to give controlling helping hand when needed
Education is one of the many things which may occa-
sionaly require governmental aid. But in the present
case, nearly all, the whole OF the money
will have TO be drawn by taxation, from those who do
not need the contemplated ad-and who will receive no
equivalent IN return. And it is certain that nothing is
~ m.
An odious system then, will have be brought into opera
ton, Tor the removal OF a system OF odium How long
will our people endure this in preference that which
now existsf In other words, how long will n sense of
shame operate their as 10 make ,bsir in
terest subsequent TO the Accomplishment Of this great de-
sgnI looncelve that the this inquiry will turn
on the magnitude and plain value To the community of
the scheme to be proposed Should the Legislature aim
At too much, through heavy burden the unavoidable
consequence will be corresponding failure We are no,
prepared Tor an Immediate great effort. A little nj
n h.
safest way. am mere ooker.on among the people:
ready to do what cam TO improve the minds of my fellow
citizens.
should greatly rejoice TO see every class of our pson
propoonaby enlarged in all necessary mental improve
men But, am not greatly deceived very different
eouls about TO be made, which the real cane c
tualy demands. The signs every day appearno 70
me, that instead Of directing and restricting all our efforts
to the iac that seventy thousand Of our people cannot
read; we are launching into the very highest
oil h'esure oVerhaulink universities colleges and acade
mics IN our The people must needs be alarmed
at such display, before the first step il taken What
have the mass OF the payers do with all thsl wbv
nothing in the world but il they wish IT, and are able ~
send their sons To the academies colleges and universities
and pay for II, why should have a good and audabe
and legitimate object thus defeated certainly will bel
feel confident that the people OF Virginia will not sustain
any eilo beyond very plain. cheap ruGaeRtal sduea
tion OF mat class who the OF reproach
do not mean To phlosophze here aud will therefore on
y state the conclusion of my reasoning as 10 this class
They do not need. in order fill up their
IN society, an education beyond reading, writing and
only operate TO the injury, under existing circumstances
this great class Of ignorant people Many exceptions
would be found, who would find others have done be-
fore them, ample fields for greater DEVELOPMENTS Men
everywhere, are crpatuTes OF circumstances and cannot
either BY paernal legislative operations be made other
wise Virginia circumstance, evidently pretty well
occupied except IN the of this ignorant class We
have ar proportion OF who passing through
acodemical and higher grades of instruction. as many as
can conveniently ind suitable fields for employment and
usefulness Many Of them To the paernal roof no
or quality calculated adoTn promote the society in
which they live. The learned professions are entirely
overstocked consequently these polished gentlemen must
become pSIIfegns or dToPes, Tor egk they will not We
have abundance Of this sort, AMI a. many more
as we Please, according 20 our But that the
OF this crisis. We now propose 10 educate The
poor, because IL right, aud ought be done Many
are devsing plans for this work Some Of the schemes are
plausible IN appearance paper but how they would look
IN practice, 1t Is impossible forete As there Is some
times "isdom ~ multitude Of counsellors, Of the
taK.paying people, will show my opinion.
J. The one class only. who read should be the
object Of legislative aid
?. propose that this class be instructed in smelling
ending writing. and arithmetic the rule OF three
g. That this be done the economical plan prac.
| ticable.
Under the last, third head will be found most Of the
ditcunes 10 be encountered Economy must be sasac.
oriy evident 10 the people, in order to permanency Al
TINS moment ovSrshadowing schemes, demanding i'm
menSe outlay OF money, before the Legislature This,
body should Judge wisely in making its selections Of OBJ
Jects rs we'll as in its respective appropriations II this
dTait be paramount then let II do justice
wisdom, so as 10 make whatit may do permanent Lett
beware OF attempting too much.
But OF the pan 10 DO propOsed Lot il be Us nearly con.
formed TO the crcumsiances Of the class be benefited
practicable In order 10 do this would advise that such
paris OF the present system be made available be
retained These already familiar, and would help TO
recommend better plan. Instead OF the precarous opo
auon Of the present plan, let each county be laid OF in five
OF sE mile districts, with house centrally established
From the outlines to the school would be only Two and
nall or three miles, Let given school be cassod as TO
eoniinoe not than years to each individual
except IN Of extraordinary powers when longe,
course should be allowed. Aths te great number Of
such districts occupied by plain teachers Of whom
would be found capable Of conducting the Schools and
would DO glad 20 got charge II them Let these be placed
Tor examination Us to qualification under School Commis
siones 20 be compensated Tor their trouble and appointed
/ by the respective County Courts Let nose Same Com
nissonefs visit tho Schools a least twice year note tho
progress Of oil, and mark those who orc distinguished for
safincss let the teachers be permitted 20 receive pay
ing pupils TO the number " thirty, sbod hero not be this
number Of poor within their districts Let ths-e Schools
open with March, and end with November Nine dollars
per head would ao-d compensation and ample inducement
70 feathers fully qualified for their task Lot tho necessary
fund be raged by taxation in addhon 10 tho fund now sp
propraied, Something like ih' msy 20 down with the
people. But the free School, hs Normal School and the
msor School plans involve much e1ponse and arc not
called FOR by the in hand. Add there Is no surer sv
OF doing nothing than attempt do TOO much These
vows are respectfully submitted by a citizen Of
KING s. QUEEN.