Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-11-16

we cannot start ana upnOtd Common
Schools could we have begun and maintained a Re-
public as our fathers did The whole world was
against them-they were few feeble colonists, with
no name or influence among mankind and surround
ed with one universal night of despotic power, Fig
liant, aggressive and threatening.
And when they began the experiment of a COM
mon oyernment, for the common good, to- be admin
istered by all the people, ten thousand new and start
ling difficulties sprung up in their path unseen be-
fore; nor could there be unanimity of opinion on
any subject, while even the father of his country
himself, the incompatible Washington was often op-
posed in opinion by his highest officers. Did they
do as some propose to do with Common Schools
because there difficulties and disputes and vari-
GUS opinions? Did they, in pet or in a fit of I'M
manly and un-repubhcan tmidity, declare they ought
to give up the government and fall back on a King +?
That government has descended to u.s. now powerful,
respected and feared; would we have had the nerve
to have initiated, founded and maintaned.it, as
did the men of 70? If we believe we cannot carry
. onouT Common SchoolS-if,on account of differences
ofopnion little difficulties we abandon the underta
king, declare, before the world that we the poo
pie, are incapable of sslfgoyernment-ou Declara-
ton of rights becomes a solemn mockery, and our
Constitutions unmeanlng riddles, since the spirit
that conceived is longer here to interpret them
In another respect we also most solemnly belle
ourselves, and sitting for most humiliating pic
ture in history. As politicians-when we want to
be promoted-we universally profess unbounded con-
fdence in and respect for the people; and in all po
tcal affairs there is now violent race among to
see who ansay and do most to place the government
honor of being the peoples parties; and yet, at this
very tme in our acts and words are some of us,
declaring the people unfit to manage system of
elementary educatlon and some get furious and
denounce those of us who insist that the people can
ought to, and must carry on system of republican
or Common Schools.
In the language of the politicians might not ex-
claim, oh, shame where is thy blushl" Will it
be believed in history, that any one from the same
stump or place of harangue could proclaim himself
a candidate for popular favor the ground that he
peoples man, for letting the people rule, and
then denounce system of Common Schools, and
declare war on them because, as they public
Schools, managed by the people at large they never
could prosper or be any thing else but nuisance.
That he could enlarge and expatiate the beauties
of government administered by the people purely
and then do all he could TO destroy the confidence of
the people in themselves and instead of encourage
ing them in their efforts to improve system of COM
mon government for common good, make himself an
effective champion of kingcraft by helping to con-
fuse, misrepresent and destroy peoples effort at
common improvement, because administered by the
people That he could from the same rostrum still
resonant with his loud protesatons of love for the
people, make deadly and nsidious thrust at their
most vital interests-make a mortal effort to strike
them down in the very hour of their deverance, by
arresting them in their march from the bondage and
the hesh-pots of Egypt and send them back to dark
ness and ingorouS case! This march at true indie
pendence is somewhat toilsome there must be self
denials and compromises of opinions-there must be
watchings and labors, patiently performed and en-
dured by all.
There is duty for every body to Distinguishes
is sacrifice that every one must make. We must |
not ask exemption from trouble; the trouble of self
and of popular improvement is free
mans pleasure. 1t is a duty which we owe to the |
offspring which we bring into the world and if we |
refuse to be troubled with efforts to start them on
career of virtue and happiness will have to face
them as witnesses against us at that Tribunal before
which every man must give account of the deeds |
done in the body. 1t is duty we owe to God our
benefcent Creator, who has endowed with reason
and immortal souls not made for mere
brute indulgence, but gifted with the glorious facu-
ty of hurnbly serving the Almighty Ruler of Hea-
ven and Earth by acting as builders in the Eternal
Temple of Light. If we refuse to build, then we
scatter with the destroyer; and we must look, not
for childs reward and place in the Fathers
house of many mansions for everlasting penance
in the realms of darkness. 1t is duty we owe to
ourselves and country; and while claim the proud
title of freemen it is shame to to talk of trouble
IN connection with the education of our children
Our liberties do not depend rulers but on
ourselves; if We will assume the trouble Of raising
our children right there is earthly potentate or
politician need to fear if allow them grow
up effeminate with indulgence, debauched with lux
.rious ease, and pricing nothing but money and
pleasure, then the days of our Republic ended
md we are its destroyerS.
We think if we can only make money we will be
Independent; and if we would bestow just 1.-THE of
he pains incurred for this, on the education and
raining of our children, would sooner attain
,ur end.
Not hgh-raised battlenents or labored mound
Thick wall or moated gate;
Not bays and broad armed ports,
Where, laughing at the storm. rich naEies ride; 1
Not starred and spangled Courts =
Where ow-bound baseness watts perfume to pride
No men, high-nnded men, +;
With powers as far above dull brutes endned II
In forest brake or den,
AS beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude;
Men, who their duties know, +
But know their rights, and knouing, dare nadintan,
Prevent the longaimed blow, r.
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain. 1
These constitute State;
And sovereign law, that States collected soM,
Der thrones and globes eate II
Sits Empress, browning good, depressing il. :"
The management of our Common School system
an be carried as State is governed. There /.
an be and ought to be single executive head ex-
rcising general supervision dfusing information.
rogress and condition of the whole system and
county officers, to neghborhood officers &c., &C.,
II acting in concert and under direction. But
fter all has been done there be done in this
ect, there is still duty for every man to perform
ls as he has series of labors in connection with
ne government of the State ssssas5 =
There must be healthy state of public opinion a
every neghborhood; every school-house must be f
atched, and every teacher rewarded by the people
lenselves. They must have the Districts properly
i'd off, to suit the general convenience and thea4
located IN the right places they must that
lese houses are comfortable to their children, and
OF miserable purgatories calculated to make the
,nants hate the very name of School. They must
t the children know that they cared for, and :
nat the Schools and teachers to which they aresent