Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-05-28

OSD0 y ON|AA, AAN0
ignorance, or prejudice, or interest,
have loadedithe. cause Of Public Schools
with misrepresentation. The most
unworthy motives have been ascribetl
TO those who advocate 1.-THE requi-
site amount of taxation has been mag
nifed-the object and character of the
schools themselves have been distorted.
Such attacks will be best met by dis
cussion to be had in TIE manner we
propose. i5ae tI
1t is not our purpose or desire TO
urge any one particular system Of
schools. A. chief benefit deriyeable
from the contemplated organization,
consists IN the facilities it affords for
collectingand diffusing information, not
only concerning the school systems
of other STATES, from which we may
choose good and reject evil; but also
concerning the actual condition and PEI
cnliar wants of every portion of our
State, to which we may adapt our own
system. From the mutual commune
cations which would be received by the
Central Committee and the several
county Associations, as we'll as from
the Reports, Journals and Statistics
published elsewhere, unquestionably
much that is useful in this respect
might be obtained. The errors of
those who heve gone before us may be
and will be avoided; the workings of
our own system will be scrutinized; its
Objectionable features will be brought
tothe notice of the Associations;reme-
dies will be suggested; amendments
proposed; Improvements engrafed-
its benefits will be seen and felt,t and
they will be BROUGHT to the notice of the
Indifferent and careless-its operations
will be extended, and ignorance we
hope will finally give place to knowl-
edge; knowledge, if true, will bring vir-
tue, and virtue happiness. aal q
There are other advantages, no less
beneficial, which may and we have no
doubt will flow from the organization
proposed; among these will be the es-
Establishment Of Literary Societies and
, Libraries, by which the sources of
knowledge will be openedto thousands
who are deprived Of such advantages
by distance and want of concerted ac-
ton. stag aa,7ea5 sir bs8a5f9af
We are aware that many enactments
for the promotion of Education are in
scribed upon our statute book. We
know that the last Legislature devoted
considerable shire of its time to the
subject, and that it passed various acts
to enable the people in their several
counties, TO make provision for general
education. Some Of these, statutes
have proved acceptable, whilst others
have been warmly opposed and finally
rejected by the communities to whom
they apply. There are laws enough in
existence, however defective many of
them may be in their details. But the
"Education movement" as it has been
termed, is notfor mere laws. It's OBJ
ject is to frame and fashion the public
mind to appreciate the Importance and
necessity of general education in the
State. 4 .....sl~ .. 6@..
q This accomplished, and even laws
Ito hinder, cannot impede its progress.
However strong and emphatic. a sane
ton may be given TO Education. as a
measure of State policy, by the Legis-
lature, it cannot and will not be bene-
fcially encouraged unless by the fixed
appreciation Of the people themselves,
who are the source of all power, and
who must at last carry out all grea,
measures, however and whatever they
may originate.
In invoking your attention, there
fore, fellow citizens, to this subject, we
do SO for the purpose Of asking you TO
aid in coNvINcINc the public mind Of
the absolute necessity Of education TO
the well-being and permanent prosper
ity and glory ofthe State. We depre-
cate all angry discussions of the sub
|iect. We discard all bitter contests
about mere matters Of detail. We ca
| vii not at the propositions Of each 9TH
Ter. We lay aside all such questions as
1.-THE consideration Of what particular
lclasses will be most benefited, or, as
imagination may have It, most injured,
by ourmeasures. The cause Of educa-
Ition cannot be pushed forward by dis
sessions about minutia-whether
schools should be established bya mere
technical majority, or BY a, two-thirds
vote. It must not rely, like political
parties, upon fleeing majorities. Save
Lit from the necessity ofceunting noses
atevery Spring election! Save il from
Ibeing compelled to resort TO the arts
and appliances Of electionesring! II
49, ~ = 4 4 ! ~ I