Daily American telegraph., 1852-09-13
OUR PUBLIC scHooLs.-So. TX.
By 5. 5. RANDALL.


A brief recapitulation of the leaditg argu-
ments Ia behalf of the liberal endowment and
support of public and free schools may not be
inappropriate at this ste &c Of the discussion.
In the first place, it is claimed that the right
of every child in the community to such an edu-
cation as shall be adequate to the discharge Of
the various obligations and responsibilities incl
dent to human life, in all its relations, individual
and social, should be distinctly recognised and
efficiently guaranteed by the highest civil au-
thority; and that the means of securing such an
education should be furnished partly from the
public funds and partly and to such extent as
may be requisite, by an equal and just assess
ment upon the property Of the community at
large.
In support of this claim it is insisted that in
republican government, where all political power
emauates, directly or indirectly, from the people
themselves education is absolutely indispensable,
and of vital and paramount Importance; that
from the earliest period of our existence as a
people this principle has been recognised and
acted upon by those communities where the
greatest moral, social, and political improvement
has been made; that it has taken root and -four
ished wherever the great body of the people have
tasted its advantages and afforded it scope for
the development Of its capabilities; and that
wherever it has been introduced and obtained q
firm foothold it has never been abandoned. 1t is
alleged that upon the general prevalence OF in
telligence and virtue, Of sound science and un-
corrupted morality, not only the happiness and
welfare Of each individual Of the community, but
the very foundations of society, essentially de-
pend and hence that the first and highest and
most imperative duty of the citizens of free
commonwealth is, in the language Of the Father
of his Country, to 'tpromote, as an object of
PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, the diffusion of useful
knowledge; y that the wealth and resources Of
the community can in no mode be so proftably
and advantageously invested, even in mere pc
cuniary point of views and that every dollar
which is contributed to the mental and moral Gull
ture Of the rising generation at that important
period when the rudments Of character are in
process Of formation, and the foundations of fu-
ture usefulness being laid, is an actual saving of
hundreds and thousands, which, in the absence
or neglect of such culture, must be lavished in a
few brief years in the conviction and punishment
of crime, or in the support of mendicants and
paupers.
1t is further commended that, while the legsla-
tive and municipal authority of every community
undoubtedly possesses the power Of REFRESHING
every infraction of its laws and ordinances, and
of imposing upon the whole body of its citizens
an annual tax for defraying the heavy expendi-
ture incident to the administration Of criminal
justice it as undoubtedly possesses the power Of
prevention, in the provision of early and ample
facilities for the education and instruction of its
youth, thereby removing every inducement and
inclination to vice and crime and substituting in
its stead nobler and higher aims, purer aspira-
tions, and wiser and better motives of action !;
and that the obvious dictates of mere worldly
policy, no less than those Of sound and enlight-
ened political economy, point to the expediency
and salutary efficacy Of such ample provision for
the intellectual and moral instruction of the rising
generation, as shall preclude the necessity of an
immensely greater outlay for their future pun
ishn,ent and support as convicts or paupers.
And, finally, it is claimed, on the united and
concurring testimony of the wisest, most expe-
rienced, and competent observers, and as the re-
suit Of researches based upon the soundest de-
auctions of reason, and the most extended and
comprehensive practical acquaintance with the
subject that by the universal education of the
children of the community during the period OIL
dinarily devoted to elementary instruction in our
public schools, and under the guidance of teach
ers thoroughly competent to the performance of
the duties devolved upon them, ninety-nine out
of every hundred of the children thus trained
would become sshonest dealers, conscientious jul
rors, true witnesses, incorruptible voters or ma
gistrates, good parents, good neighbors, good
members of society; temperate, Industrious, and
frugal conscientious in all their dealings prompt
to pity and instruct ignorance; public spirited,
cred"
These are some of the advantages and bless
ings which the advocates of UNIVERSAL EDUoA-
TIoN, through an enlightened system of public
schools, free to all, propose to secure; the dimi-
mutton of vice and crime, by the effectual reno
val of every inducement to their preparation,
and by the early formation Of habits and dispo-
sitions at variance with their existence the pre-
vention Of pauperism and mendicity by the be-
49,
all the necessary objects of human existence !;
and the general prevalence of integrity, humani-
ty, benevolence, industry, and public and private
morality, by the timely and assiduous incubation
Of all those pure and elevating principles which
refine and ennoble our common nature
In my next, and in few succeeding commu-
ncations, shall advert to the nature and course
of instruction which should prevail in our public
Schools and to the character and qualif cations
Of fhaiY faan