The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-13

oulcSt ONhoiato'
We thank the writer Of the following COM
munication for the favor done to US and the
community, by the contribution of an article TO
our columns, so we'll written in behalf Of SO
good cause.
Cordially do we respond to the wish express
ed by our friend, that, in the approaching Con-
veniion, the minds Of its members and Of the
people whom they represent, may be directed to
genuine reforms, reforms designed to elevate the
intellectual and moral character Of all our citi-
zens, and to enable our beloved State TO take and
forever maintain her rghtful position in the
Union, and to exercise the happy influence
which she is capable Of exerting over the glori'
Gus sstsrhood. The present year we regard as
one of unutterable importance for Kentucky
twill prove an era. marked by great good will
and it becomes every good citizen to do all in his
power for the lasting welfare Of the brave and
dear old Commonwealth.
For the Examiner.
Cemnen Sehseis-Ne. 4.
As the people Of this State are now interest
ing themselves in propositions for remOdeling
their Constitution, that fundamental basis Of
their State institutions, permit me TO call the
attention Of your readers to the importance Of
making provision for well regulated and eff
cient Common School System, and to some OF
the obstacles which may stand in the way Of its
efficiency.
That the greatest prosperity of our Republic,
and happiness Of its individual members, re-
quires universal education, will be generally ad-
mitted; but that government is bound to furnish
at the public expense, the means Of education
to all children under its jurisdiction; and that
every true patriot and lover Of good government
should most cheerfully take upon himself all
the burdens necessary for that purpose, is a
proposition that will not be so readily admitted.
The truth Of this will endeavor to Demon
strate to the understanding, and urge home to
the cOnscisnces of your readers, in as few words
as possible.
Our fathers declared that among the 'inslisn-
able rights Of man, 'to secure which, govern
ments are established among men, is that of
the pursuit or happiness Now, appeal to
your readers whether, in the present stale Of
American society-under our existing social
systsm-an individual does not labor under
grea, Disqualification for the pursuit of happi-
nsss-greater than any good government ought
to permit. Has not the French Republic hit
upon the true theory Of what a government
owes to its subjects, in declaring that it should
guarantees tine privilege of liberty. labor and
learning
All accord to government the right to punish
hose who violate its laws; but where do we find
degradation, vice, and crimei What class Of
men crowd our municipal courts, fill up our
penitentiaries, or meet a still more d-plorable
tate at the hands Of the executioneri Unques-
iiOnably the Ignorant 60 an alarming extent. A
earned German judge having resigned his seat
'n the bench, and taken up the profession Of
eaeher, being asked why he did so, replied. that
he could not find il in his heart to continue
rom day to day, passing sentence upon men,
or crimes which he knew their ignorance had
ed them 20 commit. VIII not the people of
kentucky pause, and consider how many laws
hey have taken upon themselves the response
'ility Of authorship to be passed. to punish
rhine, and how little they have done, through
he means Of education, to preUent III Might
hey not well moderate their zeal in discussing
he manner of appointing judges to sentence the
criminal, by discussing the best means of paving
to Pre1ent him from becoming
criminal.
L appeal to you as men of Christian respon-
Utility, whether you have right to enact and
nforce the observance Of laws which one-fifth
Il your adult population cannot read, and the
pirit of which they cannot comprehend, for
ack of opportunities for mental discipline, and
moral culture. | appeal to you, as men Of
,hristian philanthropy, whether you will pei
nit the rising generation to grow up to physi-
al manhood, while the intellectual powers shall |
emain undeveloPed. or only be brought out for |
he artful commission Of crime, Of which album
ant schools and efficient teachers are found in
very lane of our cities. in every hamlet, and
a every mountain gorge And appeal to YOU
; citizens, in your relation to the State Gov
for no excess of private liberality.
owever abundant, can bring about the general
ducation Of the people.
We must have an efficient Common School
ystem, one that shall secure the establishment
school within the reach,of every family in
he State, and shall throw open its portals on
ich terms, that the poverty Of no individual
hall be a bar to his catering there, and analy-
ng those intellectual treasures, which shall
rePare him to stand up in social equality, with
le most favored child Of fortune; to know hi.
ghts and duties as citizen. and successfully
claim the one, and creditably to discharge
10 other; and above all, to know his true great.
sss as man, and to see the wisdom of God as
splayed in the science revealed mechanism oil
iture; that, his mind expanded and elevated.
may feel above doing a mean act, and We,
WED down in submission before the throne oil
e great Author Of nature, feeling that whsth-
he bows before the majesty Of law or the
alesty Of Jehovah, he is in reality ennobIsd by
e divinity Of the object to which he pays his
image.
In my next will discuss the pscuniary bear.
gs of the subject. PuIox
'stai Arrangement with sareas Brtsaau,
The treaty making arrangements for the Z
stage OF letters transmitted by the steamers q