Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-30
Free School system.

Free School system. ~
Our attention is called to this subject by a
speech delivered by the Hon. jams Simons, be-
fore the Board of Commissioners of Free Schools,
Of St. Philips and St. MichaeIs. We have pub
lshed this speech entire, that our readers may
inform themselves fromits perusal. There should;
be no subject more important to the people 1
than the Education Of the people. All our ino;ss5
tons Of free Governments are founded upon the.
intelligence of those who are to be governed.lse
1t is Education which fits and prepares the mind
to perform the duties which arise out of and to- ]
appreciate the advantages of Republican form
OF Government. Ourown State, impressed with z
the importance Of the general diffusion Of Edh-
cation among its citizens, very early took steps
to establish system of schools, at which all 2
could receive the rudirents of Education. This 3
system was defective in it inception and although
often amended is yet of little practical benefit
There is no subject which in urjudgment ought
SO seriously to address itself to the talents audi
energetic efforts of every man entrusted by the
people with Legislative authority as the Educa-
! ton Of that portion Of the community who are.aa
unable to Educate themselves. But there seems
to be disposition on the Legislature for several
| years to evade all action upon the important SUBJ
iect, they seem to conclude the whole system IS 4
incapable of being so remodded as to produce
any practical benefit and thus it is passed from s
time to time to the great detriment Of many
poor citizens. We do not know how the Free
School system operates in other Districts Of this
State but We have been informed thatin an area
of three or four miles square in the weathyandi
intelligent District of Sumter, there can befound
fory-three chdrsu Of the proper age to be sent {
to school, who have never seen school house.,
who cannot read, or write their names. Is this
state of things not to be deplorcd Ices this re- 4
feet 10 shame upon our State will it not serves5
to start serious inquiry into this matter? When
we have offered as tabernacles for the worship of
the Almighty God, glorious >edifces, -~rnlght lSs
mans skill and ingenuity, the next most worthy
service is to build up elegant seats for learning,
Without Education the temples of God will ibaS
deSecrated and the atars of the Most II l5li de-
stroyed. Religion itself loses its hold upon man-s
kind when the dark night of ignorance has come
upo" them. If any one would do his age and g
country lasting service, let him aid in the great
work of National Education. let him adm brng-
ing the means of Education to the door OF that
portion of the community to whom Proyidence Z
has denied the means. How true is it that &,
who lays stone in the wall of the house of Wis:
dom begucathcs to posterity a noble bounty.ss
When the hand of the builder shall have loagSg
since mouldercd in its native dust, his name shall s.
live after him and countless thousands of the &
coming generations will revere his memory who 8
opened the casket Of knowledge TO adorn the !
brow Of youth with its precious jewels" How
beautiful is this reward does it not excite ambl-i
ton in the breast Of every one to give support
to this great entcrprse-the Education of thess
people-that they may be truly said to know;
and understand the laws which are to govern &
them then We shall see no more the indnpen-
dent voter sleevcd and dragged to the ballot box &
We trust this subject will receive the serious con
sidcration of our next Legislature. In conclu-34
ding this article we could not do better than tosi
adopt the language of the Earl Of Derby in his
speech b fore the Parliament, upon the subject
OF Education lie says: believe, al d Irejoce 3
to believe, that the feelings Of the community
at larrc that the convictions of all classes high
and low, rich and poor have now come to this
conclusion, that the greater the amount of Edu-ss
cation which you are able to give and the more !
widely it is spread among all Glasses Of the conl-s
munty the greater prospect there is of the tran
guilty, the happiness and well-beng of the com
munitv But, my lords, when use the term ,
Education let me not be misunderstood, by Edu- &
cation do not mean the mere development of the@s
mental faculties, the mere acquisition OF tempo
raj knowledge, the mere instruction, useful no.
doubt. us that may be, which enable //the msa----
simply to improve his condition in life, gives him s
frcsh tastes, and fresh habits and also the means &
of gratifying such improved tastes, valuable as s
that instruction may be. when speak of Edu- &
cation l speak of this andthis alone, an Educa- 3
ton involving culture of the soul, laying the ba 81
sis and foundation upon knowledge of the s.
scriptures and revealed religion.
Sumter Banner.
EXTRAORDINARY PRICE FOR ToBAcco.-A Il
sample of tobacco, of the crop Of Mr.. Thomas H. 81