Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-27
Education.

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should. therefore be the aim and constant desire OF
every gvud Citizen to aid by every possible means It's
advancement In this matter, which is Of the greatest
Importance to all there is nothing local or selfish
nothing by which one portion OF the community IS TO
be benefited to the exclusion of another Ihe rich
and the poor must feel the benefits OF Education, winch
are lasting as the nild ITSELF and capable OF adding IN
fn,el, to the happiness of man here and hereafter.
Here is fountain which may be made free for all; and
the upright honest poor however humble their posi-
ton should be welcome for integrity of more value
than silver and gold" In word all to be bene-
fitted in proportion to their respective efforts. Arguing
from cause to effect there is nothing more absolutely
certain than :he proverb-"As ye SOW SO Shall ye
rcap" This is eminently true in agricultural pursuits,
how much more true when applied to the mind which
is capable Of infinite cultivation.
1t Is matter Of wonderful surprise that persons are
nov to be found who manifest such Indifference as TOO
many do, upon this important subject Why s.ltthcre
is such large amount Of ignorance even now, over our
whole land? The reasons arc obvious. loo many
time-scrving dcagogucs occupy the attention oil the
people with their affairs under the cloak OF ABSTRACT
principles relating to government affairs about which
the peope know nothing and care less. There IS no
excuse for this ignorance in our countryat easthere
ought to be none let the people be educated!
We confess, under existing circumstances, things
appear dark with but little hope for the future Our
laws is true make prctensions for supplying the edu-
cational wants of the INDECENT but how is it done?
BY system which has proved itself inadequate Tor the
purpose 1t is time some other mode be adopted.
We object in the first place to the present disribu'
ton of the Free School Fund in South Carolina AT
some length on former occasion, We endeavored 10
show that this system is wrong-does not meet the
object intended-ought to be remodeed and made TO
answer better purpose.
The distribution of this fund is wrong because 1t Is
not made in proportion to the white population of each
District or according to the necessities of EACH Taxa
tion which is entitled to be represented land very
propcrlv) in the Councils Of our State, receives also
dis,rbutive share Of this fund.- where it seems to US II
sIOuu IUu DC aPPi1Il 10c1 t1laI TIC
necessity cannot be great as in those districts which
are represented according to their white inhabitants,
and not according their wealth. having but little o
the latter to represent but whose educational wants
are necessarily greater than in other more wealthy
districts of the State This is one of our objections to
the present Tree School system.
We are of opinion that if the appropriations annu-
ally made by the State were properly disbursed, the
amount would be quite sufficient for the purposes con-
tcmplaed.
We have no doubt but that an effort will be made at
our next Legislature to alter amend thcpresent plan
Of operation We think the amount now appropriated
SAY thrty-seven thousand dollars-miglt be conS-
tuted Free School Fund, subject to be drawn upon by
a competent board of commissioners or supervisors
with such discretionary power would meet the wants
of their several Districts The commissioners like 9th
or District boards to account for all monies received
and expended And the whole system overlooked Oy
general Superintendent elected by the Legislature
These views we have already given in former article
and will therefore close upon this point Tor the present
There is another. important matter which we desire
briefly 10 notice in this connection, and while we may
not hope to accomplish eyery hltng by any system,
however good yet we may. by weldirected efforts, DO
much for the common cause of education. We have
been and arc still the and enthusiastic advo-
cate OF voluntary associations believing them to be the
best means for the accomplishment of good Objects
We know of nothing more potent for good in the ur-
thcrance of social moral enterprises than concert
of action" among the friends and advocates OF any
measure The suggestions recently submitted through
our columns by our friend and correspondent "Caln'
den" are entitled to consideration and we hope may
be productive Of good.
We arc in favor of the last proposition of our friend
that all Educational Society bc formed, whose members
shall pay an annual contribution Of rs dollars This
amount would place the object within the reach OF al
most every one to contribute, for there arc few IN our
community who could not give this amount each year,
and never feel the Inconvenience Of it. Besides the
satisfaction which would follow, "therc is luxury IN
doinp good" We hold, that in time, by the operation
r iudciuus SYSTEM the increased intelligence o our
peope which is the basis of integrity and happiness,
you,d amply rcmunerate US for the small pecunlary
s,critice we might be called upon to make.
AS our correspondent urges, there is even now ne
ooss;tv for this work. We have many young men IN
our midst, who are most worthy OF the priceless
o, Int who are excluded from the halls of science
IL, limited means. OF these, many bright and shining
,;,,. mirht be made and in their turn blessing and
,1ssod wherever they might go-othcrs might be saved
m tbc State who, if let alone, may become pests to
society
We have called attention 70 these matters before
and in doing so now it is with the earnest desire that
.oo pood may be done for the cause Of education and
oro,tv The effects of this association would be, IN
our humble Judgment most happy lnpace othaVlng
;alo routLs thronpinp our streets, they might