Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-04-10
FOR ttc Enquirer.
FDUCATION

f.DUCAllON
The Goddess OF Wisdom is sovereign in the as
cendaD,. All you'd do her honor bu. widely
diverging are The various opinions in regard TO
what means are Necessary 10 accomplish the end
desired Amid this labyrinth Of crude notions
are there no landmarks TO indicate he path that
leads 10 her lemple7
The poverty Of orr resources forbids minute
investigation OF statistics, perta lining 10 The nu-
n:erous plans OF Popula. Education, 5u, le, il be
very briefly inquired whether "a prorI," some
definite results may not be arrived al.
Among the distinct plans OF education are Isl
The education OF the rich and those of moderate
means in Colleges, Academies, and private
Schools, and Of the poor at The expense OF the
Government. This is the presen, system in
Virginia. It's defects have been so often discuss
ed that il is hardly necessary 10 glance {, any Of
hem This system is opposed 10 those prnc-
pies of social and poltica! equality, which arc
necessary TO ensure the happiness OF free poo
PIE Free institutions are repughant 10 castles in
society. The OBVIOUS tendency Of insluting a
poor fund is 10 degrade, in their own estimation
and that Of their weather. schoolmates, the re.
clplehs OF the Governments bounty. This is
not the only evil The people have nothing 10
90 IN raising or dis5ursing !he fund, hence they
can take no particular interest in It. Public in
s,rnclion IS The business OF the Government: lis
claims are MOI numbered among the group OF
clamorous cases that demand place in The Go-
nestle arrangements OF the household.
"a. The establishment! and erlire maintenance
By Government, OF system .. Common Schools,
free to all classes OF citizens. This plan is
very good one, under the swey of an absolute
monarch, because the Government can command
the means necessary for its support, and can en-
force The execution OF all The regulations i,
adopts. Il may ne very efficient way Of mould
ing the mind OF the subject into conformity with
The will OF The sovereign; but, as a system for
free people, il has odlous features. Il is con-
centfatiun Of resources, in the hands Of Govern
ment which ought not TO have the power, effec.
lively. 10 disburse them, and which cannot have
the power, without increasing to an undue extent,
Executive patronage. 1t destroys public spirit.
The people have no will of their own-they do
nothing voluntarily do just wha, the Go
ver.ment requires, and nothing more; consc-
qaently they, as passive agents, can take no in.
leresl in what is done.
30. The maintenance OF Common Schools.
by townships, acknowledgement township rails.
ing, by taxation, such an amount OF funds rs it
may deem eSpedien to which is added its prc.
portion Of the State Fund. This systems, the or
pos,e oil the preceding, is Objectionable, because
there is net sufficient concentration Of rcsour-
ces, or CT power.
A few Common School Districts, into which
the township embracing them is divided, unite in
raising funds; and then, without system, each
district acts independently in spending lis proper
ton. The tendency 10 create public spirit is sui.
ficienly strong; but this public spiri, has no di.
rectrix. II acts, but produces incorsiderable re-
suits, and the very fertility OF its efo,s has re.
Elective tendency 10 destroy the spirit ITSELF A
unity OF purpose is wanting. The system, il
system il must be called, makes no provision for
procuring suitable teachers; but each school dis
trict, without The exercise Of much sagacity, en-
ploys snch one as it may chance IN find
As 10 uniformity in teaching, as in text books,
nothing of the kind is known in any one school
(the exceptions few for longer period than three
or ioar months.
the townships and counties INDIVIDUALLY. and the
application Of the Stale school fund - me sun
port OF Normal schools for teachers or Il teach
cr's departments in the academies
There arc two principal objections 10 this plan:
lst, The inequality OF its operation. Govern
menl cannot produce full supply Of teachers Tor
the State, and cannot determine what sections OF
the State shall enjoy the benefits OF this partial
supply. Consequently the weather. sections on
account OF greater Inducements they can offer 10
teachers, will moncpolize those Government
gifts which equally belong 10 Inc poorer sections
of the State. There is injustice in the action Of
the plan. 81, 1t diminishes public spirit, The
people should directly have something to do in
the education OF their teachers. There will then
be more hearty cooperation on their part, and
less occasion for finding fault There are several
minor objections.
The desidera'um, then, is, 10 devise system
which shall be free from these objections, ard
shall combine all The good features of an eff
cient system, to vii: Equality Of action; unity
OF action; individuality Of action, or public sp.-
rit independence Of action universally Of ac-
lion, both as 10 its operation among. a. slHys2rrg
Esssrucion 10 ali ana 10 all grades of scholarship,
from the elements OF the common school 10 the
highest branches Of the high school; full supply
OF yell qualified teachers, who have had similar
and uniform instruction in the art OF teaching;
uniformity in the useful textbooks, (not triting
matter J medocrity in expense.
To deineae such system, does not come
within The scope Of this communication.
Ky T.