The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-25
For the Camden Journal.
A LOOSE SHEET FROM A SCHOOL.
MASTERS DESK.

Messrs. Edaors-.I propose, with your con-
sent to send you occasionally sheet from my
writing desk. These loose leaves, thoug h rath-
er miscellaneous in their matter, shall all be
connected, more or less, directly with my call
ing. If at any time they weary you or your
readers, you need feel no delicacy in using the
Editorial veto. l can easily find other employ
ment for my Saturdays, leaving you to select
other matter (may it be more interesting and
proftable,) for your columns.
see that our Governor has invited all the
teachers of the State to meet in convention
next month at Columbia. You will remember
some time since, circular was addressed from
the Executive office to certain officers, requir-
ing them to report the number of " effective
men" OH whom our State could depend in an
emergency. And soon after, another circular
was sent to the commissioners of our Free
Schools, asking information as to the number
of boys educated by the State-the amount
and kind of instruction impaired to them, and
other kindred points. Now schoolmasters, as
well as other people, should be careful not to
meddle with things too high for them, lest they
expose themselves. | do not know how to gov.
ern State, and hope (my fellow citizens will
join me, know,) | never may be called on to
try. But shall tell you thought which
struck me on reading those circularss 1t did
occur to me that there WAS some mistake in the
order and connection of these documents. 1t
seemed to me like husbandman, requiring his
steward to inform him how much good fruit
could be depended on at a moments warning,
and soon after, following it up with inquiries
about the number of young fruit trees set out,
and the care and culture bestowed upon them.
In no light or capious mood, asked myself,
can a State, when her hour of trial should
come, with any degree of confidence, make
proclamation that she expects every man to
do bis duty" if she has let herds of her chill.
dren grow up as the cattle on her hills, without
being told or taught what that duty isl "Will
State reap where she has not sowedW Or
is nothing required to make an effective man
but bone, and sinew, and muscle, in certain
weight and quantity.
However, alluded to His Excellency's call
for an Educational Convention only to express
my wish that it might be universally heard and
answered Do tell the people not to forget
this, in the press of other matter. There are
many subjects now appealing to the feelings, or
passions, or interests Of our people more loud
ly-but very few in which their true interests
are more indissolubly involved. 1t is easy, very
easy, to get a convention to discuss any other
subject, whether the improvement of our farms,
or stock, or the building of railroads. Now
when a plan is proposed for convention to
discuss the character and prospects OF those for
whom we improve these farms and build these
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land stern and fearful is the necessity for say
ing much) about owing it to those who may
come after us to protect their rights. 1t is wor.
thy of inquiry. whether we are not more solic.
itous about the inheritance than the character
of our successors This Ito quote the lustra-
ton of one of the ancents) would be, to be
more careful of the shoe than of the foot. 1t
is now proposed to hold a convention to discuss
this whole matter; rH it succeed? 1t may
not be policy in me, az a friend to the PROPOSE.
ton, but it is surely honesty to confess, that
feel rather fear than hope, when this question
is proposed in this form. feel gloomy pre-.
sentiment that the proposed convention will be
failure. The feelings and anxieties I'd SYM
pathies of our people spend themselves in diff.
fereut channel from this. Do offend the pride
of any citizen who calls it SANDER, to hint
that our people are not vitality and keenly inter.
ested in the education of their own children
answer, let US waive our dispute on this point
for one month. After we see what aid or coun-
tenance, or practical assistance this convention
meets with, we can then perhaps settle it more
easily. TIME WILL TELL.
No fear of being charged with egotism shall
prevent me from extolling the teachers office.
| may, in future sheet offer you a few thoughts
OH it; for the present will satisfy myself with
very general remark or two. The teachers
of our State, numbered by hundreds, are daily
doing, either in weakness or in strength, either
with care or in too much haste, a work, whose
results will not die with them. The men of the
next generation, in their character, will exhibit,
and society in all its interests will surely feel
the proofs of their present faithfulness or neg
lect Will it be nothing to the people of our
State if these men shall meet in council, to ex.
change views, opinions, and plans, and indulge
in that commerce Of thought which profits both
parties9 Will it be nothing if these men, leav-
ing your Capital with new and enlarged views
of the dignity and worth of their office, eleva-
ted and yet humbled by sense of its oppres.
sing cares-its lofty aims, with light shed on
the- toilsome and perplexing path, with their
sympathies excited in each others success, shall
spread in all directions throug your State, to
i l. L. L. k1, ella Lo~