Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-12-25
state superintendent of Public Instruct on.

SIR:-It my inJehlUn TO have said nothing in re-
gard my name in connection with the oihce OF
State Superintendent OF Public Instruction, until the
Democratic Convention met, in February next. But,
within few weeks past have seen II so frequently
brought up in the newspapers of this and adjoining
States, chiefly by partial friends, occasionally as in the
Journal OF tins morning, 10y enemies, that deem
Iu explicitly what my views AID intentions
as The nomination for that office.
agree with the Editor of the Louisville Journal that
is uch importance the State who is elect
cd Superintendent, than who is elected Governor.
hold The office be the most honorable in the gift Of the
people of Indiana in which, ii il lie wisely and
faithfully administered there is more good to be done
than in any other; more practical, permanent heart
reaching influence to he eXercd not the Intelligence
alone but the public and private morals incon
siderable degree, OF the present generation and TO
extent man calculate. of the next There is
public trust whether under the State the General Co.
vernment that ought in my Judgment 20 be approached
by him in whose hands il may 10 placed, with moro
solemn and stirring feeling of It's sacred Responsible.
ties.
need not say, that. If it bestowed upon me,
should approach its duties in such spirit. and that
.iuud regard the highest mark of confidence with
in the power of my iellow-ezens to besiow.
But it 80 haprens that private arrangements con-
nccred with my duties my family and with which
is unnecessary trouble the public, require on
this occasion, decline the nomination. think il best
10 this frankly aud at once not 50 much TO save
scrbers who have never learned that abuse
i the waste of powder aud shot TO
able Those whose Kindness unprompea least ii
undiscovered indebted fr recent notices IN my lavUr
the opportunity Of directing their choice elsewhere.
Since not and shall be, before the February
Convention a candidate for nomination, trust my fe
how ciIizems will accept from few words of honest
advice this subject.
II is the office of ministers Of the Gospel 10 commu
nicaie 10 their congrc Cations, religious instruction
Churches arc erected in which such instruction bC
communicated Sabbath Schools Instituted lay eacl
different sect and has right 20 End fault, IT, IL
these arc taught the peculiar doctrines of the sect thai
sustains them II would he proper objection TO c!er
gvman if he did preach the doctrines Of the denoml
nation whose minister he is. In Methodist or Bapts
Sabbath School il would he very unreasonable TO com
plain that Methodist Baptist doctrines arc ncuraed
} But our system Of Common Schools is a secular anG
not religious institution. 1t is establish under,
governed hy. rhc STATE tho Church IL freely
open 10 tho Ca0c ~ the Jew, as 10 the Protestant
Il j. established neither favor diSavor reli
giosIs denomination vhacver Ii is established for o'
lecIs other than religious; do not say more important
but only of different character. Parents send ihel
children tn Common Schools learn reading, writing
and tic other branches Of practical educ"oa. II the,
are enlightened parents they send them there also, u
the hope that their moral training may he sedulousl
watched over; that they may he confirmed IN halns
kindness ~ each other; Of charity towards those VIII
honestly dfsr from thcm Of industry cleanliness or
der. punctuaiiy; in word that they may he prepared
become good and nseful men and women an ornamen
any condition 10 which they may belongs to any rel
gious sect 70 which they may afterwards attach them