The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-01-12

THE SclIooL CoNvENTIoN.-The pro-
ceedlncs CT the School Convention held
in the Court House on Tuesday last are
found in another column.
1t was the largest convention of dele
gates we ever saw assembled in the coun-
ty before, and they were a highly respect
able body of men. The feeling in favor
of free schools appeared to be unanimous,
and If the sentiments of the people of the
county generally, were fairly represented
in it-and we have no evidence they were
not-there would appear to be no Difficult
ty in the way, after the Legislature shall
have passed such a law as the friends of
the measure desire.
Every good citizen must contemplate
with feelings Of delight, the approach of
period in the history of our State and
country, when Education, upon which
rests 50 much of the hope for the perpet-
uity Of our Republican institutions, shall
become universal among the people, when
all--the poor as well as the wealthy
shall enjoy its advantages; when the vices
which Ignorance fosters shall be dimin-
ished, and the power which it affords to
designing men and demagogues of every
class shall be broken. To effect this state
Of things is a noble purpose, and they who
with an eye to that end, push ON this
movement, are public benetactors.
1t cannot, however, fail to be obscrved
by thinking men, that the proposition to
establish free schools, and support them
by tax levied on the property of the
county, appeals very differently to differ
ent individuals. To A, and B, and G,
with small property and a number OF
children, it presents a very different
phase to that in which it appearst t, D,
and E, and F, who have large estates and
who have educated their children; and it
may require very df1tren, kind of patri-
otism to lmprl these latter gentlemen TO
favor the project, seeing that it will sub
ject them to heavy expense, to that which
urges it on the attention of the former,
who are to have their children educated
by it without any cost.
There is no Disgusting the fact that a
school tax, such as will be necessary to
establish the proper kind and number of
Free Schools in the county, will subject
many citizens to pay very considerable
sums annually, who will receive no cores
ponding benefit; and we refer to the TACT
in order that the whole bearing OF the sub
jcct may be examined; in order that those
Who are so eager for the success Of the plan,
may not too readily complain if others hold
back There evidently are reasons why
some should clamor for the law, and there
NAV be reasons why some should clanor
against 1t. The effort OF every one who
supports the movement for the sake of its
Intrinsic merits, and for the good it will
produce to the next generation as a mass,
and not because it has any bearing upon
themselves PERSONAL y--and We are happy
to believe there are many such should
be to reconcile all our citizens to it; and
in doing so they must prepare for, and
meet real, as we'll as fictitious objections.
We have confident hope that system
Of Free Schools, that shall be effective in
educating all the people, will be establish
ed; for, passing by the palpable advanta-
ges, it will, by enligh'enlng communities,
make their society more desirable and in
creasing by this means, the value OF prop
city, do away the objections property
holders may entertain.
When the convention reassembles on
the 5th day Of February, We hope there
will be full turn out, and that all school
neighborhoods not represented on Tuesday
last, may have their delegates.