The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-20

session providing for an annual State tax of
$500 600. in addition to the annual revenue Of the
school fund, for the support of common schools,
AID di,scsins that any oenSisuSy "a thus respect
circumstances. be regarded az O 6nsl compromise
between the views of toe friends end opponents of
entirely free school system; that it Is inexpe'
dent and ipjudicous sgan to throw open to legis.
lative and popular discussion, subject upon which
so considerable diversity of feeling and of opinion
is known to exist that the very general acquies-
cence of the people in the present disposition OF
the matter ia indicative of their satisfaction with
the existing law; and that it is unwise at this
early period to disturb these arrangements 80 re-
Gently and with such great unanimity adopted,
especially in the absence of any experience of their
practical workings, and of any general demand for
their alte ration or modification.
These objections are, up questionably entitled to
great weight, in the consideration of this subject
and unless they can be- fairly overcome the neces-
be regarded as doubtful.
GENERAL REMARKS.
In bringing his official labors to close, and sur
other hands, the undersigned can only indulge the
hope that during tho critical and stormy period in
which the complicated interests of public instruc
tion have been committed to his guidance, some
advancement will be found to have been made ia
the right direction. On assuming the responsible
charge entrusted to his hands, two objects present
ed themselves as, in his judgment, of sufficient
Importance to demand his individual attention and
perpetua;ion in all its integrity Of our admirable
system of district school libraries, seriously on
dangered by what he deemed, and still deems,
most ipludicous provision of the existing law,
authorizing. under certain conditions, an entire
diversion of the muniicent fund provided for
the annual replenishment of these institutions
and the other was the enterprise of rendering
every one Of our eleven thousand schools free to
every child OF the State of suitable age to partic-
pate in their benefits. In the accomplish ent Of
the first Of these objects, entire SUCCESS has been
obtained, by an uncomprOmising refusal in any case
or under any circumstances, to give the requisite
sanction Of tho department to the application Of
any portion ofthe library money, to any other OBJ
ect than the purchase of books and scientific APP
paratus for the use OF schools Many and strong
TEN ptatons have from time to time been present.
ed, for departure from the strict and rigid rule
thus prescribed and doubtless frequent and serious
offence has been given by the unyledng pertinaoi-
ty with which it has been adhered to The alter
native, however, seemed to be presented, on the
one hand, of gradually and ultimately entire
abandonment of that far seeing and enlightened
policy By which every school district and every
neghborhood of the State was annually supplied
with the means of intellectual and moral cultiva-
ton, and on the other, of a firm and decided re-
fusal, in any case whatever of that consent which
the law required as condition pre- oedent to the di
version ofthe fund. The Importance ofthe principle
involved in this determination may have been over
rated and if so, the remedy is at hand and may
easily be applied. 1t has, however, appeared to
me, from long observation Of the workings of the
cess on the part of every family Of the State, and
each member Of every family, Of suitable age, to
iudciously selected library, comprising standard
works in every department of literature and SCIENCE
fer moment, in competition with temporary pecu-
MARY considerations. Whether fully appreciated
or not at the present moment by those most inter-
ested in their preservation, the time not be far
distant when they shall be universally regarded
among the choicest and most highly priced bless.
pgs which it was in the power oflegisla,ion to
fer. The universal diffusion of this cheap and popu
lar mode. of the elements of knowledge the incen.
tives to usefulness and the indictments and onoour
agements to virtue, constitutes the sures safeguard
to free and republican Institutions and affords
the most reliable guarantee for tho continual pre-
valence of that intelligence and integrity which
alone can perpetuate our existence as people.
These inestimable advantages would be poorly
exchanged for slight and temporary relief
from the inconsiderable burthen incident to
the payment of teachers wages. Nor have
been insensible of the important and, in my
judgment. decisive consideration, that there can not
be the slightest equitable claim on the part Of the
inhabitants of the several school districts to any
portion of the funds thus set apart for this specific
purpose, unesst be the pleasure of the Legislature
thus to divert it and absolutely from
the benefcent object TO which it was originally cen.
seoIated | earnestly indulge the hope that this
will not be deemed necessary; and that this en-.
lightened and noble feature Of system of public
instruction, instead of being in any respect weak.
ened or restricted in tS operation will be cherished
II.
Our schools are not yet entirely free. Deeply as
this is to be regretted after the noble unyeldiny
and repeated efforts OF the devoted friends of uni
veIsal education-after the distinct and clear ex-
preston of the popular will in this respect-and
after the unassailable grounds Of principle and ex-
pedieIcy SO successfully indicated by the advo-
Yates Of rsform-there are ample and abundant
sources Of consolation in a review of the con.
test which has been waged for the adop-
tion Of this great measure. So far as pub.
lie opinion is concerned, the question may, un-
doubtedly be regarded as defnitively settled.
Reforms Of this nature, when based upon sound
reason and enlig htened policy which underlie the
principle OF universal education, in country such
as ours, never 60 backwards The indisputable
right Of avery citizen of the American republic to
such an education as shall enable him worthily and
properly to discharge the varied and responsible
duties incumbent upon him, as such, cannot long
remain practically UNI ecoRnized in our republican
institutions It has already incorporated itself in
the system Of public instruction OF several Of our
sister States; it has found its way into the NUM-
cipal equations of all cities, and many of the
most important towns of our own State; and,
above and beyo nd all, it has entwined itself into
the deepest convictions and soundest regards of the
great mass of the people. Its full assertion may
be deferred, but cannot ultimately be repressed.
In the vindication and maintenance Of this prin-
cipe, it has been my fortune, during the whole of
the brief period OF my connection with the depart
ment, to occupy conspicuous position. As
necessary consequence of this position Voluntarily
assumed, and firmly maintained, have been con-
tent u enuure ana 10 CONFRONT more tnan 0rdi-
nary share Of obloquy; and what was re-
Rarded by me as Of infinitely greater consequence,
to witness the inevitable reaction upon the schools
Of the State of . protracted and embttered con-
troversy. That controversy is even yet undeter.
mined and it may require years to repair the
breaches occasioned by It's existence But have
the consolation of knowing that the part which
have taken in this controversy was the result of
firm and abiding conviction Of public and private
du,y-of duty to the State whose confidence had
been reposed in me a public officer charged with
the administration of most responsible and impor-
tans trust-of duty to my fellow citizens deeply in
terested in the satisfactory adjustment Of question
hearth Of each ofthem-ando of duty to the eight
hundred thousand children who annually thronp
tie district school houses of the State, to obtain
that education without which their future pros.
tally blasted. Sustained and supported by
these considerations and by the active Co operation
Of many Of the most enlirhtencd friends OF aduca.