Washington telegraph., 1850-11-13

fare OF the State at large, lnures Indirect
y to the different counties; and should
the State derive the advantages claimed
for her by the system now recommended,
the amount, in dollars and cents, saved to
each county, by the decrease of taxation,
will, IN few years, exceed teniold, The
amount now due them out of the internal
improvement fund The proposition is
clear to my mind, that, should our rivers
be improved; roads constructed through
the State, commencing at the most eigi-
bic points, aud our mineral resources
properly developed, our population will
Increase to such an extent that the most
reiuctant will be forced to yield the point
against the distribution policy. Popula-
ton and wealth are necessary to consti-
tute great State; and hold that. under
the present system we capnot expect the
one Or attain the other; while, by ju-
dcious policy on your part, we may Sc
cure BOTH
There can be no higher or more holy obligation
resting upon the law-nakng power, than the
enlargement of education. Under form Of
government, and the peculiar institutions estab-
lished among us, this is duty, the neglect of which
is not only an OMISSION but positive wrOHg-a
confded by the people to their representatives.
We regard it as "a principle incontrovertiby true,
that the safety and advancement OF every country
depend upon the education OF the people. The
Legislator who can permit generation, into whose
hands the reins Of this government must pass, to
grow up without enjoying the opportunities of OBJ
tanning education, which might have been al-
forded by the law making power, entails upon him
self fearful responsibility.
In of these facts the General Government
donated to the State of Arkansas seventy-two
sections of land, ''to aid her in establishing and
endoving aSeniinary of Learning" In January,
1916, Congress, in compliance with the memorial
of the Legislature OF Arkansas, passed AN act
placing these lands at her disposal: and under the
sanction of this law, act passed by the last
General Assembly. distributing this fund to the
coupties, for Common Scboal purposes; thus lor
ever abandoning the scheme oil Il State Seminary,
ani placing all The means donated 10 the State Tor
that purpose beyond her control more unwise
and inJudicous act never, perhaps, found favor In
the sight OF any deliberative assembly. deem 1T
unwise, because l conceive no other plan than
that al FIST contem lated by Congress, can at
urrs>nt he made available in Skate, sof an ex-
tended system of education
All experience proves that the common school
system, when attempted III Country so spafseiy
populated ours, has failed. ihls has been The
result even where the fund was large aud accuinu-
of the experiment about to try, when our
fund is pit ance, at best, and must grow les.!
10 prove this, need oniy refer TO such oder States
Kentucky, Tennessee, sc.
The fund undivided vas small; bat, by prudent
management, sufficiently large 10 render eiiicent
aid in the establishment Of one, er, perhaps, two
or three scmnares at different points In The Stale
But. divide it into fifty parts, and you give to
each poor pittance, useless for any purpose what
md az go @
lily consumed, without tie nlps!lInen+ ot the
least possible good.
| furthermore entertain the firnest conviction.
that the amount Of means necessary to educate
all the children in Arkansas, under the common
school system, would be suiii to instruct the
children in either of the New England States; for
the re ason that there, whe re they have had semi
uarles OF learang in successful operation for years,
the whole community is filled with thor oughiy
educated men, prepared to take the place ol
teachers, and, as ID consequence, can be employed
much cheaper than here; together with the fact.
that as common schools to be established, in
some degree, with reference to the geographical
extent the country, large State like would
require greater number cf school, to br,lg their
benefits within the reach 0! all, tGan woid be
necessary iu ii smaller State though more densey
populated. Ii | am correct in this, how futile w ii
BE- the Dpt TO follow in the footsteps OF those
old States, which time, and "a previous syseii ol
such mode of cducaton-when they have mil
lions where we have thousands--where almost
every young man has been prepared IN such semi
narieS !Vr tie occupation OF teachcf-WhtD We
neither have educated young men who y III devote
themselves to sach pursuit, nor the institutions
to prepare them!
In all thinly settled countries the people must,
in great measure, rely upon private enterprise
for the rudiinens of educatiou; and as conceive,
al you can, at this tinle do for the cause OF edu-
cation is TO establish more seminaries oil
learning, Offering advantages Of liberal education
10 those who may desire II; and let The IN ans IA;
your command be disposed OF ia sueh u mann'r as 1
to reduce expenses, much possible. and there
by bring its important advantages wi,hn lh reach
of the greatest number by this sneans, We vii!
have the seeds OF intelligence sowR in every neigh
borhood in the State, and the public mind will be |
prepar, to foster and assist every effort to pro-
mote cause so important
Entertaining these views, cannot too S!roD4Y !
reco!nine nd tie proprety-the almost absolute !
nccessity-of c!art-rins and taking uni.,r the /
special of the State, or more sem nar's I
of learning, at some point points the most suita-
bic in the State. Ii naeais canuot otherwise be |
obtained, repeal the law passed at the last session
of the Ly gslature, distributing the proceeds OF the
sale o. the seventy-;wo sections OF land.
know this sysiem Viii meet with some o1Jec !
tons What human institution will not2 We are
told, without the slightest warrant oi authority, /
9th If Little Rock must Of course, be the location |
of the proposed sti;uioo; aud that it may stand
there IA monument of State pride, and an ornament I
to tile city, but that no practical good VIII result
TO the people" To this l answer, d you can con-
sent shat your actions, as prese enittVeS oi liia
people, shall BE- controlled by such feelings as
titese | fear The time has not yet arrived wheh
we may look with confidence TO the La gislatuEe /
OF our Siatt, ra;se tie dark cartaih Of ignorance
that has so long hung us, stlfiug every effort
at mental, moral aud political advanceHent-
This seminary need not be at Little Rock; and
YOU cannot cs absh and keep it i'll existence will I
Lin -,,rnd,1nfiue nfi.r un.,t.