New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-06-20

A correspondent of the Delta, signing hlm-
self Precaution, advises the School Board
to examine the teachers, from principals to pri-
maries, on the subject of Slavery and proposes
as test the question What do you think of
Uncle Toms Cabin - Oh you, who haveread
with interest the Ethiopian epic, who have trem-
bled for Eliza during her perilous journey across
the frozen Ohio, who have been proud of St
Clair, prayed with Eva, laughed at Topsy, blush
ed for Legare, and wept for Uncle Tom, what
reply can you make to the momentous query ;
Condemn the book you must, pronounce it a vile
SANDER, an abominable lie, or, if Precaution s
advice be taken, you will lose your place
Does Precaution really think that any of our
teachers, whether admirers of " Uncle Tom - or
not would he so unprincipled or foolish as to
attempt to instil abolitionism into the minds OF
their pupils' Does he think that any such at
tempt could be made without becoming instant
ly known Or that any important result would
follow if such q senseless attempt were made ?
We're he at all familiar with their duties or
manner of performing them, he would know that
they are far too busy instructing their classes
in :" the three Rs (rcading, 'riting and 'rithme-
tic'0, not to mention other branches, to have
either time inclination to devote to training
them in Political Economy
If the teachers are to be examined as to their
soundness on the Slavery question, why not also
ascertain what their views are with regard to
the Maine Liquor law, Woman's Rights, Bloom
erism and all the other isms so prevalent at the
North. If those questions cannot be satisfacto-
rily settled by ordinary means, would it not be
good precaution to establish a system Of espi-
onage? Surely nothing should be neglected to
insure our youth from the danger to be appre-
hended from improper influence.
The virtue whose name Precaution assumes,
is doubtless an excellent theory but if carried
to excess would rather interfere with that lber-
ty Of opinion and speech 50 highly priced by
free born Americans The Inqusition, for in
stance, is precautionary institution which We
would dislike to see established among us al.
though if it were in operation and directed as
Precaution would dictate, few persons would
venture to acknowledge having read &" Uncle
Toms Cabin much less express favorable
opilion of it,
With regard to this notorious book, there is
some sense in Directing to it on the ground that
it conveys false idea of slavery TO those who
know nothing about it, such as noriherners and
foreigners; but to talk of its influencing the
white population of the South ,eis preposterously
absurd Books ensugh to cover every square
foot Of slave territory in the Union and brimful
Of Stowe logic and eloquence, might be read
and even to o certain extent admired, by every
white inhabitant in the Southern States, with
out causing the emancipation Of a single slave.
Has Precnution noticed any decrease Of the
mania for steamboat racing on account of the
severe rcprobation shuwered upon it by the
press; and can ne be SO blind to human nature
as to fear that slavery will become unpopular
before it becomes improbable No, Mrs Stoves
book may DO mischief in the North in the
South it is harmless 1t would not of course do
to place it in hands Of the slave population, to,
many of whom are improperly and unwiselJ
taught to read and write, but there is no reason
why it should not be read by their masters
If Precautions test question were once intro
duced in the schools, We might soon expect poll
ties to follow; and teachers would have to be
come partsans in order to secure their places
but fortunately, the Directors are too sensible
to heed such advice
In conclusion, and to ease Precautions mind
let me add that. there are probably few, if any
teachers in the schools ,cho 1UouH refuse IL
cum a raiu0bie negro. ToPsY.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST AZ EDITOR The st.
Louis Intelligencer says:
We learn from statement in the Salem Ill
Advocate, that its editor, Mr.. John W. Merritt
has been arrested on a complaint made against
him by Mr. Russell liinckley, of Bellevilc O
having robbed the mail. Mr. Merritt protest,
his innocence, declaring that his past life ought
to shield him from any suspicion Of such guilt
and that Mr.. IIinckley is influenced by malice
in prosecuting him. For thehonor Of the craft
let US hope the charge is groundless.
DEPARTURE or GEN. GARLAND FOR New MEX
Ieo.-The st. Louis Intellgeneer Of the l3tl
says: Gen Garland, T. s A, whose arriya
has been expected here for nearly a week
reached the city yesterday, on his way to New
Mexico, where he will take command Of the L
5, troops stationed in that Territory lie vii
leave tomorrow for Fort Leavenwor h, wher
he will be joined by Gov Merriwether and
number of private citizens, who will avail them
selves of the opportunity for a safe and agreeable
escort across the Plains About three 6undre,
troops will accompany Gen Garland from til
same point, designed rs a reinforcement Of tn
army now stationed in New Mexico Maio
Nichols, who is now here also, goes out as Adm
ant-General
The Cashier of the Southwestern Railroa,
Bank of this city has just received from Union
vile, Tenn, forged note of the denomination
Of twenty dollars, purporting to be n note ottha
Bank, but widely differing with the genuin
notes, which it resembles in no particular n
effort has been made to initiate either Of tn
genuine plates of the Bank Of any denomination
On the margin Of all the genuine plates will b.
found the Coat of Arms Of the State eff Soutl
Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ken
tucky, the charter of the bank being tie Join
Charter Of the three first named States, who's
names respectively appear with their Coat q
Arms. [CbRrleston Courier, llth,
Army INTELLIGENCE Major Sherman's com
pany of Light Artillery arrived here yesterda,
afternoon from Newport, h. l., on its way t
Minnesota Territory rio the Lakes The bat
terry is on its way ria New0rlcans This bat
terry distinguished itself at Fort Brown, Texas
at Monterey, and Buena Vista, in the Mexican
war. The object of the administration, in send
ing the Light Artillery to the Western frontier
is yet unknown. One company Of Light Artl
lery has recently been ordered to Fort Wash
ington, on the western borders Of Arkansas, an
another on the Rio Granle IN. Y. Herald.
SALE OF MorNr NERNoX.-A dispatch frou
Washington says that the Mount Vernon estat
has been sold, condit7nally that It shall be Of
tcred to Congress next session, Should Congress
purchase it, this sale will be void This is iror
the memorandum Of an agreement betwce,
Washington aud John Linton, Attorneys for
NewOrleans and New York Company Tn
amount Of purchase money has not uanspired
Ss200,0O0 was offered and declined
The extent Of the injuries received by the Hon
\. II. Stephens, by the recent railroad aceiden
. al ID...n- !