Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-11
Tot nc Enquirer.
EnIrcATInN OF THE PEOPLE.


II has recently been recommended by some persons that
the new Constitution of Virginia should contain pro-
vision requiring the Legislature TO adopt some ecient plan
tor the education Of the masses.
What necessity exists for inserting any SUCH clause IN the
Constitution So far from being prohibited by the present
Constitution from providing for the education OF the people,
we all know that the Legislature possesses ample power
over the subject and has exercised annually Tor long
Rod Whether the mode of its exercise has proven 10 be u
dicious otherwise, is another and distinct qeson fa
from eviucing apathy hostility to popular eoncaon inc
Legislature has manifested by its CONDUCT from time TO Time
audable desire for the education Oh all classes oil our
white population and should be indicated from the
implied censures frequently uttered hourshng ana
valuable University has been established and al TINS nstl-
tuition there are now nearly aoo students OF whom nom
cation at the Military Institute. From the income OF the
Literary Fund seventy thousand dollars annually appro-
priaed for the education oil me INDECENT children OF the
Commonwealth. Appropriations have also been made to the
Richmond Medical College and 10 other institutions for the
education the people, These several acts prove that the
Legislature and the people Of Virginia not unnndfu OF
ar Indifferent 10 the subject OF education When the Legis
ature has by its annual appropriations fully acknowledged
and recognized the duty of aordng all classes the
uny obtaining instruction. why should the present Con-
yention undertake. by Constitutional provision TO compel
the Legislature to act upon the subect The Convention
was called for such purpose No complaint has ever been
made present Constitution forbds the Legislature
from adopting the District Schools, or any other
plan which might be deemed suitable Tor State as
sparsey populated as Virginia The Incorporation into the
new Constitution of general declaration in favor OF educa
ton is uncaed for and would be superhuous as the mpor-
lance education has not been by the people
or their Such declaration Is as unneces
sary as one favor of internal Improvements by canals and
railroads constitutional provision, requiring the Legisa
ure TO adopt plan of instruction prescribed by the present
Convention also unnecessary and Objectionable Systems
of popular education should be under the control OF the Lee
psature subject TO such changes and notifications as
might be suggested by time and experience The Legisa
ture of the State meeting annually biennay, will be
more competent devise tho best plan OF education than
Conventions held every TO- Is years. to amend the Con-
sution.
In Massachusetts, where the population is homogeneous
la damn
by but Virginia has sparse population and of this num-
Der nearly onc-,hrd slaves does then follow that
succeed Virginia. where the soce so differently cons
tued
excess in regard 10 education vel other subjects
"Among the strange notions which have been preached
since have been the political theatre said John Ran
Iolph of Roanoke in the Virginia Convention OF 29-SOD
there is one which has lately seized the minds of men,
that all things must be done for them by the GoSern-
mcnt and that they TO do nothing for Memselres Inc
is only attend 10 the great concerns which
its province, bu, il must step in and ease indvidua!s
their natural aud moral obligations moro penicous no.
ton prevail Look At that ragged fellow staggering
from the whskey shop and that attern who has gone
TO reclaim him where their children Running about
ragged idle ignorant, fit candidates for the penteniary
Why is all this so Ask the and no will tell you Oh
The Government has undertaken to educate our children Tor
u.s. 1t has given premium for ideness, and l now
spend in liquor what should otherwise be obliged 10 save
10 pay for their schooling My neghbor there that is 50
hard work in his field yonde with his son, cannot spare
that boy attend, except in the winter months, the
school which he is taxed for the support of mine
He has scu hard make both ends meet al the end OF
the year. and keep the wolf from the door His children can't
go this school, yet he has TO part OF the tax to main
tain it, Sir is ii like friends of the poor TO absove them
from nature what God himself has made their first and
most sacred duty For the education thor children IS me
first and most curious duty Of erry parent ch the
,corthless alone are erer knoun wholly to neglect"
Such the views of distinguished statesman, VINO,
scornng play the deagogue had the independence and
honesty avow his real opinions
February lst, 1851 FRANKLIN.