Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-11-08
COMMON SCHOOLS.
NUMBER THREE.
Mr.. Joseph UTson,

Mr.. Joseph JJi'son.
My DEAR SIR:-In the first Two numbers address,
ed TO YOU endeayoed To enorce-fLr it was not neces-
say 10 prove themthe great truths, that the hope and
safety of country had been committed 10 the $4,000
common schools, each school standing for The nation
sentinel of liberty that liberty under law could not ex-
LIST without the school master that civil institutions
and the progress OF man, were not only looking t. The
co mInun schools for Their support but for eI very
isence that education the only true eTadcaor of
crime; that the common school system was the only
system that could educate The whoe people and that the
present age educational but Inechanical-an
age that valued the work mure highly than the work
man--an age Of money and machinery and that wor-
shipped the body polite, but forgot The soul polite My
object, In this number, 10 address, more directly "a
rents. and 10 bring before their minds. in as specific
manner as practicable, some OF he objections which the
cause Of general education has yet overcome 1t not
nnirequenily that am addressed in words similar 10
these. Has not the now assumed the educating of
the chldTen-haye we not a good schoOl system and
large school fund. This helongs The State and
she has undertaken to educate the children Ii does not
now belong TO you or TO me-" These remarks are made
as an excuse for conscious neglect OF Duty and the
thors of them have reminded of the boy no was in
denured III the old styeto work months the year and
receive an education the remaining three months. But he
would never he induced goo school and his neig. sas
often inquired of him the reason His only reply my
master has agreed to give education, and he is
bound IN The ndeniue 10 do it, and not going TO
school aer It," 1t so with these people, they say the
State bound 10 educate the children the schoo system
and the school fund intended give instruction to all
and is not for them 10 make personal eert But sir
how talacous the idea. Personal effort and personal
sacrifice is the prce OF knowledge. school fund, how
ever large, is not education school system, however
perfect is not edncaton and sir, you rely upon these,
they VIII only cheat you of education. 7 he crying
want OF this State. hearty general, liberal cooper
atom, on The part OF the people with their school system,
to breathe life into ito carry it out and thus improve
it. This is much more important than legislative
changes at the capitol. But hat is done under such
government, by private agency, Is really great E1uca-
non IS something which is procured by classthe
paents=for another class, the children and children
cannot see or feel It's importance they will neglect its
acquisition and the duty The part of parents, like all
other duties, is liable TO be neglected
Now The duty of he Legislature offer such induce
ments will ensure the action of the people, but not to
go so far TO para we individual effort 1t is
i'm, that what we get without asking for paving fo,we
care but little about Where pay money we feel
Interest and when the State either by fund taXaon
or both, gives parent dollar, il should require him 20
take another dollar from his pocket directly, and
put with it. He will then watch the expenditure and bs
anXilus t. receive the benefit Of the whole sum. The
true policy as far as my experience goes, is this keep
the schools open the entire yearax the property in the
districts to twice the received from the State,
school fund, and collect the required balance from those
who have sent 10 school, and in proportion the number
sent. will here humbly submit, by way Of illus ration.
and IN support Of the above theory, that in district Of
bO INDECENT children, as reported by the School Commits
sione will say by celebration surmse that district
will receive from he Literary Fund 800 tax the dis
trct $4,000. making the sdn aggregate $40 Com
pei the School Commissioner, by law to discriminate
when the fund is inadequate as to send them first be-
tween the ages of and Is years, aud the number 80.
you vii! find about 80, between years and l6. The
ampuat required to send them school, one year. is
$685. at cents per day. Take from that sum $270.
leaves SIS 10 be paid by ,hise who send TO schoul,
,bure stated. Take these illustrations, apply Them to
Coninoh Sohoo's throw unnecessary guards around them
nurse them as the mother would the infant and the time
vii not be onS when you will Franklin al haoon,