Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-08-27

children who are endowed by their Gre
ator wlthbodiIy organs and mental facul-
ties adapted for careerof boudless i'm
provement, but placed IN circumstances
which forbid the development of mind.
When | look upon a group of children
at play, land observe their cheerful coun-
tenances, their beeming eyes, and earn
est gestures, how forcibly occurs the
reflection that here are bright talents
and noble qualities, of which the world
is unconscious.
Perhaps among these may be found
the Newtons, the Frankllns, and the
Cowpers of the age, who are destined
to explore the wonders of nature-to
establish the principles of liberty-and
to transmit their glowing thoughts to
future generations. But it Is only by
extending to all classes of the people
the benefits of education that we can
call forth their hidden talents and ele-
vate their moral character. Ithas been
stated in the Governors message that
there are in Virginia 10000 children
who are receiving no instruction at
school, and many ofthem are as COM
pletely shut out from tho knowledge of
literature and science as though they
Ald not the facilities to receive tuition.
Is it not the duty of society to extend
to these the Instruction that is requisite
to enable them to fulfil the duties of
American citizens, and to enjoy the
privileges we SO highly prize' By
performing this duty in the manner now
proposed, we not only provide for the
INDECENT the means of instruction, but
we reduce the cost to those who now
pay for the education of their children
we bring knowledge to every mans
door, or at least place it within the
reach of all. 1t may be asserted, with
confidence, that no other way has yet
been found in the experience of man.
kind, to extend to achole people the
benefits Of education, than the establish
ment Of schools that are free to ALL,
By this means we level upwards, and
not downwards-we elevate the poor,
without depressing the rich-we oblit-
crate those distinctions in society which
are at variance with our Republican
Inscriptions, aud inimical to the pro-
gress of the human mind. Even in
some ofthe despetic, governments of
Europe, the attention of their rulers is
now directed to the culture and discip-
line of the youthful mind, as the best
means of securing subordlnation and
diminishing crime. How much more
needful is Education in country like
ours, where the people themselves are
the soverei gns-where there is no re-
straint from the strong arm Of military
power, and nothing to curb the passions
of the multitude but sense Of duty and
respect for the laws. If in Europe
the education of the masses is a public
good, here it is an imperative necessi-
ty-for it is the only means that CAM
secure US in the enjoyment of liberty,
and preserve US from the most appalling
revolutions.
In treating of this subject, | shall
first advert briefly to the district free
school system aboutto be established
here, and then proceed to the consider
alton of school discipline and intellec-
tual and moral culture.
Without entering into many stalls
zeal details, think it may be proved
that district free school system can
be maintained in Frederick and Jeffer-
son by reference to the example of Nor
folk county, where it is now in sue
fessful operation.
y The white population of Norfolk
cunty, including he town of Ports
mspth and excluding the city of Nor
) loll is $3.50, being about 20 per
; Squae mile, but if we deduct 4, 164 for
rorts, outh, it will leave only 5000
Wh'e lhabltants for the county prop
, 3te popuidtiou VI fIeueTiCk
sounly Isl ,1l9, being about 81 per
. oq ean mile,and that of Jefferson is
9'e ~ whlchs 40 per square mile.
a nc o o fyenue paid by Norfolk
8 aoa", ~ l'nc'ndig Portsmouth, is &c.
I4o3 %, that ofFrederick county is
lr nno ~ 20, am Jefferson $l0,- |
~ z! '9ho"inEthat Frederick and
Jenerson nave mua denser popula-
'ion and pay greatelreyenue, which,
being assessed in proportion to the val,
ue OF property, is an ev,lence of grea-
ter wealth.
!. In order to show what L.s been the
effect OF the district school s,stem, and
the estimation in which it \ held in
Norfolk county, vii refer Nu to >