Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-06-25
Enr The EnllklfeT.
+ Ut Wtc IIFq .9e' =
INSTRUCT FREE SCHOOLS.

Messrs. Editors: From the general silence on
the subject of District Free Schools, one might
almos, conclude, that The friends of The system
had ceased TO give themselves any concern about
it. | wish TO break this silence BY stating an his
torical fact, as encouragement 10 us friends and
a lesson 10 its opponents.
In the Sping OF 1885, the people Of Henry
county adopted The system. Alter The scheme
was considered in its details, and the expenses es-
timated, certain persons, who were opposed 10 il
on principle from the beginning, go up petition
10 The last Legislature 10 repeal The law, setting
forth certain reasons, which, as represented, mace
really bad tale Of il, and one which, if carried
out. would come we'll nigh bringing destruction
on The people. The great argument was The
srea, and burdensome la9atiOn.
The opponents OF District Free Schools in
many sections (and in our county with great
pleasure) published 10 all persons who did not
read the papers closely, that Henry county had
adopted The District Free School System, and
after seeing The great expenses necessary 10 carry
il OUT, lha, petition had been semitic the Lessla-
lure 10 repeal the law. The grand deduction
from all this was, that the system was imp!acti-
cable and would prove in!oerably burdensome
TO any people who should adopt il, as had been
proved by experience in Henry county. Mark il,
these things were told on all occasions, suitable
and unsuitable, in connection anfout OF connec.
ton. Well, the Legislature very wisely said, at
seems there is some misunderstanding about
this maIler-his petition is inconsistent with The
vote Of last spring. Perhaps the people really
did not understand what they were about, as this
petition declares-they perhaps did not under
stand the subject and We will just send il back 10
them 10 decide for themselves. All the sleepy
ones, and those who were slow 10 understand,
must ere this have been aroused, and the people
shall vote on the free school question again. The
opponents will be sure 10 make evident all lie
disadvantages Of The system and have one grand
circumstance in their !avor-Ihe low plice oito-
bacco II the people are really opposed 10 II, here
is theme that will make them still more so.' In
accordance with these instructions, the people OF
Henry did vote again last Spring, with their eyes
wide open, and by an orer'raelm,ns nla]o'ty de-.
cided in favor of Free Schools, and have settled
the question finally. | am pleased at this, and
have one complaint 10 make against The opponents
OF Free Schools-lhat they do not tell this as they
told Of the petition for the repeal Of The law. No,
they never mention this last vote, and, tom their
silence. one might well conclude, that Free
Schools were not in successful operation IN East
Virginia in Norfolk county, ard had NOT been
adopted by Henry, Jefferson, Washington and
others. lis bad rule, gentlemen, thai will not
work both ways.
The predictions OF Anti-Free School men are
like the predictions oil some OF our Wings about
Free Trade The opponents Of both measures
predict ruin on their adoption, when The fact is,
both Free Trade and Free Schools are measures
OF enlightened policy, tending greatly 10 The pre-
motion OF public good, and in strict accordance
with The Improvements Of the age-well caicu'a-
ted in their nature 10 surround man with Tho
relations, moral, social and political. which
his nature, sound philosophy, and his God call
for. No county once adopting Free Schools vi
ever give them up-no sooner than any nation
once adopting fully Free Trade principles will
abandon lhen-because both are designed Tor
The benefit OF the mass. You might q soon de-
mand OF man 10 give up his nature. When The
people have never adop:ed these measures, they
may for time be delayed through misreprcsen-
talon ottheirl true and unavoidable consequences
By their opponents bur, when once adopted, il
were as wise 10 airemp, 10 Fix bounds to oceans
waves by 4 small enbankmcn, Of sand As 10 on.
pose them. They are mighty waves in he great
march OF civilization and naicna improvement,
that no petty means Of human coniriyance can
lelard. Speed tic time when both universal etu-
cation AMI unfammellei intercourse between The
nations Of The earth may prevail
KING WILLIAM.