The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-07-27
Free school system.

Free school, System.
Our attention is called to this sub
.jcct by q speech delivered by the Hon.
JAMES SIMoSs, before the Board of
Commissioners of Free Schools o. ST.
Philips and St. Michacl's. We have
published this speech entire. that our
readers may inform themselves from
its pcrusal There should be no sub
jcct more important to the people than
the Education Of the people. All our
notions of free Governments are found
ed upon the intelligence of those who
are to be governed. 1t is Education
which fits and prepares the mind to
perform the duties Which arise out of
and to appreciate the advantages Of u
Republican form Of Government. Our
own State. impressed with the iinpor-
tancc of the general diffusion of Edu-
cation among its citizens, very carly
took steps to establish Il system Of
schools, ut which all could receive the
rudinants of Education. This system
system was defective in It's inception
aud although often amended is yet OF
little practical benefit. There is no
subject which in our Judgment ought
So seriously to address itself to the
talents aud energetic efforts Of every
man entrusted by The people with Lc-
gislativc authority as the Education
OF that portion OF the community who
are unable to Educate themselves.
But there ST ms to be disposition on
the part Of the Legislature for several
years past to evadc all action upon the
important subject, they seem to con
cllIdc the whole system i, incapable
OF being SO rcmoddlcd as to produce
any practical benefit and thus it is pass
ed from time to time to the great de-
trinlcnt of many poor citizens. We do
not know low the Free School system
operates in other Districts Of this State
but we have been Informed that in an
area of three or tour miles square in
the wealthy and Intelligent District of
Sumter, there can be found lortvthrcc
children OF the proper age to TIC sent to
school, who have never seen school.
house, who cannot read. or write their
names. Is this state OF things not to
be dcplorcl does this reflect no shame
upon our State! will it not serve to
start serious inquiry into this matter
8 hen we have offered as tubcrnaclcs
for the worship Of the Almighty God,
glorious cdif;ccs, wrought by mans
skill and ingenuity, the next most
worthy service is TO build up clcycnt
seats for learning Without Educa-
ton the temples Of God will be desc
Grated and the altars Of the Most High
destroyed. Religion itself loses its
hold upon mankind when the dark
night OF Ignorance has come upon
them. il any one would do his age
and country lasting service, let him
aid in the great work of National Itdu-
cation, let him aid in bringing the
means of Education t. the door Of that
portion of the community TO whom
Providence has denied the means.
How true is it that :. Ic who LAYS Il
stone in the wall OF the house OF wis
dom bequca'hs to postcri'y a noble
bounty. When the hand OF the build
cr shall have long since moul,crcd
in its native dust, his name shall live
after him and countless thousands OF
the coming generations will revere his
memory who opened the caskct of
knowledge to adorn the brow Of youth
with It's precious Jewels How beau
titul is this reward does it not excite
ambition in the breast of every one to
give support to this great enterprise
the Education fthc pcoplc-tI.at they
may be truly said to know and under
stand the laws which are to govern
them then VIC shall sec no more the
independent votor slecved and dragged
10 the ballot box. We trust this sub
jcct will receive the serious considera-