New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-14
To the Friends of Free schsols throughout
the state.

Won are doubtless aware that the great battle
in behalf of USIvERsAL EDUCATION is again to
be fought in the Legislative Halls. Petitions for
the unconditional repeal Of the Free School Law
are daily pouring in at the Capital from the on
ginal and Incorporating opponents oil the prin'
ciple and while its friends are active and vlglian-
in bringing forward and urging bills recognizing
that principle, their efforts are In danger OIL oelng
nsralized bv vour iHacti0n and SILENCE. why
sbould not the petition for immediate and uncon-
ditioual repeal. be met by counter PETITIONS on
your part, for the passage Of some bill RETAINING
the principle of Free Schools, while oovating the
elariDg defects Of the existing law The reports
and bills of the Literature Committee OF the
Assembly are already before the public and the
decision of this great question, upon which sucn
mighty issues hang is set down for the 2lst INST
If the plan unanimously proposed by the Com
mittee. of State Tax of $500 900 for the support
of the Schools, in addition to the fund provided
from the Treasury, is in accordance WIFE your
views-and we know IL iS.-why not immediately
strengthen the hands of the devoted friends oil
the cause, by memorializing the Legislature TO
pass law adopting that PLAN The minor de
tails of the bill, in reference to which difference
of opinion exists in the Committee, can be adjust
ed without difficulty. What the representatives
Of the People desire more especially to know at
the present msment is, whether their constituents
are or are not in favor of the general principle that
the Schools of the State shall be free and shall be
supported By the property of the State
There can be no possible doubt that very
large and constantly increasing majority oil the
people of this State are in favor of the immed-
ate ratification and adoption of this measure. But
in many instances, their representatives. plead
ignorance their Wet and wishes in this respect
aud refer to the heavy vote given in the rural
districts Of the State at the last election, in favor
of the repeal of the present law, as indicative OF
hostility to the principle involved in the bills be-
fore the House Nothing can be more erroneous
Ofthe $50 900 voters for the repeal Of the existing
law one half at least may safely and fairly be pre-
sumed TO be in favor of the establishment OF lib
eral and enlightened system of Free Schools
viii they not then, come forward and unite with
US in making their views and wishes knownin sea
son to their representatives in Albany! VIII not
the Country press generally speak out on this sub
iect and apprse the Legislature of the public SEN
ment intheir respective localities In reference to
the plan of State tax on the basis Of Mr.. Bene-
diets or Mr. Burroughs bill. Above all, will not
the original undertaking and firm friends OF this
great principe-those who have borne the heat
and burden Of the day''-and aided in the
achievement Of two noble victories in behalfof the
cause of Universal EDUcATIoE-will not they
again buckle on their armor and put forth one great
final and successful effort for the full accomplish
ment of the salutary and beneGcent measure for
which they have so long struggled? 1t is only
necessary that public sentiment on this subject
should be fully and fairly expressed. Friends
and felow-citizens-let us not lose by our mac
tivity and supineness, at this momentous crisis,
what we have gained by months and years OF ar
duous exertionl The hopes and expectations Of
the friends of humanity-the interests and well
fare of the rising generation-the fall accomplish
ment Of the earnest and longing desires of every
patriot, philsnthropist and Christian IN our NOBLE
commonwealth, demand at our hands immediate
and effective ACTION. Let it be no longer de-
layed Let brief but expressive memorials go up,
soifhOut delay, from every City, County, hamlet
and School District. If practicable, let public
meetings be held in every neighborhood, and
resolutions be passed and forwarded to the Legs
lature. The question is not now whether the
present law shall be retained, but whether law
providing for the establishment of Free School
System, by general State tax, shall be substi-
tuted in its place. Let all who are in favor OF
this great measure apprse their Representatives
in the Legislature in some vdy, Of their views;
and let the reiterated and prolonged cry for re-
currence to the wretched system Of rate bills and
pauper exemption, be efectually silenced by the
inspirting slogan Of Universal EDUCATION
THROUGH SCHOOLS FREE TO ALL