Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-05-27
For the Nirginian.
FREE SCHOOLS IN HENRY COUNTY.

.Nsscrs Editors II n,l,r TIN, head End ,i,ai in
the Nieeioan Of the 7h inst. writer who sulserhes
himself lielay," has expressed his regret that the
editors Of Tins paper had not bccome better acquainted
with the details Of this system and lis operation upon the
people OF Horny before Il pronounced an opinion favor
able 10 the system which has for the present been ias
tened upon u.s." Passing by this writer's STYLE which
Is bad as his succeeding Undergraduates deceptive
beg leave, ia the absence Of the Senior Editor Of the
Nirginian-who it is probable pcnncd the editorial In
which the writer Icersto meet this formidable array
On numbers at east) of questions. by prppounding
equal number To their author, Before agefiing, how
ever, 10 this writer inicrogatorics, may he INDUCED
to say that III expressing their appreciation of the system
Of District Free Schools established in lhi, county the
Editors Of the Nirgnan have but reiterated the sent
ments OF Virginia expressed through her able and en-
lighten,sl rcpros natives in the Education Convention
which assembled in the city Of Richmond. in December
1915. They have hut echoed the voice OF the press
heretofore raised in every part Of the Commonwealth and
approved The NcIdlc than wondered after the
fullest dscussion by unparalleled impurities in the coun
ty Henry.
But, asks this writer ado they (the Edors) know
that some forty fifty pay more than hall of this
enormous and receive little bcne, from ii p
To which answer. does this writer po, kaow that ours
is government Of the pcupc-tiat surh the perpe-
uliy OF institutions depends upon the virtue and
elgence OF the people, and that education is the hand
maid of virtue and but another for nelligence?-
That therefore. the sui ect of popular education is one
like the administrator Of justice and the establishment of
highways, institution at the expense for
the good; and, necessary consequence. that
that rule oi taxation, which is most wise, just and
pelen for the support of government and other public
institutions, is precisely that which most highly
mends itself for the support Of popular education. Now
does ho not KNOW il it he true, thai some forty Iily
voters pay more than half Of this tax that
they contribute precisely IN the same proportion in which
they are taxed for the support Of the county police and
State government And does he not know that, if nine
ten,hs, perhaps, nineteen tw cneihs Of this number
ceye benefit from the schools, that the fault Il cirs
that it is the result Of their pride preudices
boih.ihat having heretofore denounced the inslilu
ton organized system Of rapne and plumber lest
the manners and morals OF their children should become
corrupted. in those Of learning. where III are we
coined and all meet upon common PLATFORM they have
voluntarily withheld their chidr from the schoolsl
Again says This writer, ''Do they know that this
overwhelming majority that has fastened this unjust sys
upon the people Of Henry receive larger
than they thereby making il matter Of uan TO them;
aud the system advocated by many upon the ground
that il was their interesti' What is the charge il,
hsinterogatory against ''this overwhelming majoy?'
1t is that they receive larger amount than '.the,'-e
forty or ffy suppose. larger amount OF what
And thereby this Overwhelming majorityn has made it
"a matter Of gain To them" This is truly astonishing
Ncr is this all This system was airocaied upon the
ground that i, to their he overwhelming minority -
interest,"" Who could have believed t2 And will the
publishers OF these astounding facts be good enough to in
form the Editors Of the Nrgnian, upon what ground
the opposition denounced it? Did selfish feeling en-