New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-09-21

a,,,.Free schooI-The Rlehtfunes" Oh R'''
school Taxation ExamsnSo'
-.on5enra of The Tribune
0offSepoN" wuv.rtAEp Monroe Co Sept
yo,.cr GagELEY-Dtar SIR; An early ana
.on,;nred spbacriber desires through me 1f'oa"s
- o4s, brisf Abatement of the reasons Wh'cn LIZ
Go hin, To onpose the Free School Law
Believing that the advocates OF this law aam''
MANY imperiecsions Of detail, for when sney nop0
legislative amendment and contend many a ,'l
tho nrinciple of aupersediDg the former fa'eD.nS
no n,onertv.tax assessed upon the seVefai LIZ
,ricta, limit my remarks 70 this one PsiAI'
AItboneb bumsn laws may place mankind III
,o.i,;or If equality of rights and priVneges' sney
800 r.roduce an equality in the endowmehts OF
Aud there is in every community class
..ya clsinos upon the Humanity and protection
- r,anen5owed, the prudent and the prosper
sas psybaps majority Of this class ara children
,vbose parents are vicoosy indoeDt, prohigate, or
in,nyovidens. Where Guch children already exist
snbiect to vicious Influences, and to become pub
lii, Nuisance, it is the duty and interest Of Society
to interpose the most available pre7entives. But
I would not offer premium for the breed. Il
would be neither wise nor benevolent to proclaim
future immunity TO all mankind under like cifcum
stances Ths would be paying TOO dear for
population likely TO increase the amount OF vice
and crime, and the insecurl of life and property
and nobody the better for it In fact, it woald be
doing more for this class than the wisdom and
soodness of God have done, even for the virtuous
and obedient.
The natural laws are impartial and inhexible,
fayoting every man in the degree OF his obedience
n;Sy Un ia
Conformity and obedience TO these are health,
wealth and happiness.
They make 70 concessions 20 the claims of pride,
incidence or vice, and man g 30 constituted that ne
derives his highest development and happiness
from the self denial and discipline which they re-
quire These being the institutions and conditions
appointed by God it should De the object OF human
laws to harmonize with them, to make every man
industrious, prudent and prosperous Until these
laws are changed so as 70 admit OF property being
created rs we'll as appropriated by an exercise o,
.he will expressed through the balot-ooxi or until
the Legisiatui paBs act TO this effect, affirmed
by majority Of ghe people, it is well to give heed
that, in supplying the wants OF the destitute or IN
fortunate, there be no element TO dlmlnsh sefreil-
anoe or promote recklesaneBs in approprlating
wealth which 10 not theirs, and which they have
prscticed neither industry nor economy to acquire.
lit 10 not irrelevant to note that this express kind
OF appropriation was forbidden Ia certain ancient
laws, and made & penal offence in several more
modern date See Elk, 90, Is. Also Blackstone 6
Commentaries, and Revised Statues of New York.
The Pilgrim Fathers made the suggestjve decision,
to be governed by the laws Of God until they could
get those that better II illustrates the force
Of habit, and the slow pace of i'm provement even
among free people, that the honor of this dig
covery was reserved TO the Legislature and People
of New. York, in the middle Of the Nineteenth Cen
tury, To resume
TO the practical application OF this principle, f. u-
cation or rather tuition in schools, which s only q
meana to education is not an exception, neither 10 1t
10 primary necessity Of nature, as ere food and
clothing,
lin supply of any or either of these wants the
desttute and improvident are authorised to use,
and enforce, their discretion it is certain that
the inducements to accumulation gill be diminish
cd or ceaRe, the class of taxpayers become ex-
hausted and the basic and aecurityupon which rest
Society, Industry and Civilization, be essentially
undermined.
1t is true shat the question at issue is limited d.
rectly to tuition In schools. Bat the principle in
volved is comprehensive and consequential. Shall
we hope, and believe, that the existing intelligence
and the influence of more universal education will
lead maoritiea to fOrbearanoe and seltdenlalI Ii
Ia fearful xperimeni TO test annually and under
excitement, in each Diatrict of the State. 1t has
been the ase Of former Republics to find refuge
from licentiousness in despotam. To acquire OBJ.
ieote of desire without labor and self denial, is
ixed fact in human nature; and education Is val
led and sought, as means of power, to acquire
lietinction and wealth, and does more, at present.
10 elevate and discipline the intellectual than the
moral faculties. The statatics Of crime onthis sub
iect are falacious. The fact 10, there is q numer-
GUS class Of children OF strong propenstieS and In
ferior moral and mental development, thus prone
to GRIN o. who are unable or unwilling TO become
scholars, under any state of opportunities. The
statistics should give us the opportunity, au well
as the requirement.
would be understood. ! appreciate and value
Education diacreetly combined with Industry. But
Al. .ol. +
health and extravagant habits, who leave our
schools by the score to hang loose upon Society
and get their living by their wits Men who are
unable or unwilling 20 obtain an Independent sup
pogt by industry in some useful calling, are dan
geroue cisizenB in any community.
Judging from past experience, from the tone aud
temper of lite advoosses and from the disposition OF
mankind to avail themselves ofwhatthe Law allows,
khe discretionary and indelnite powers conferred
by this law will be used oppreasive!y.
The harmonious and liberal public spirit, which
has distinguished aud prospered us SIS ptope,
will give place to 8 mercenary, contemptuous eel
Hahness, injurious or destructive to the schools
Inthis statement of reasons ] have studied
suggestive brevity, and endeavored - view tbe
the auheot aoofflom prsna.l, and excitement, as
il affects the ger al Interest the welfare and hap.
piness Of Universal Nan
AiWrys with respect ard generally with concurrence,
Yours, JOHN McVEAN.
Remarks.
The above is just the strongest and most
forcible attack on the Free School law we