Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-29
coy Jo9NsoNs MESSAGE.

TIE Nashville correspondent of the Murfreesboro
Tleguph (whg) dslikes the portion OF the Gov
ernor's message which relates to amendments TO
the constitution of the United States, but approves
of much besides. We copy some of his approba-
tory comments below:
The long expected message OF his EXceilency'
Gov johnson, was LAID before the Oenerai tASseuh-
blv last Monday 1t is an interesting and import
ant State paper. Opposed 10 the policy OF lncreas-
inc the liabilities of the State for internal improve
ment purposes, l must express my thanks TO MN
for grooming together and presenting as he has done
SO striking picture of the condition, present anu
nrosnectiye, of the Indebtedness OF the State IL IL
have the effect of causing members OF the Leglsa-
tur,, TO pause and 10 decline adding additional Ia
h;t;ee unon the people, Gov johnson may con-
at,,Iata himself The recommendation in regard
20 the Bank of Tennessee, IS lconcelve wise one.
II was the intention Of Gov. Campbell TO recon-
mend the placing of that Institution into state oil
gradual liquidation, and the most Influential mem
bers of the wing party here, conceded IN his views
Nothing but the defeat of Maj Henry prevented
him from making the recommendation; he dld not
think it becoming in him to do so, under the CIR
cumstarees And now, ! hope the wings IN the
General Assembly will take Gov. Johnson at his
word and do their part towards a contamination so
necessary. The State policy developed in the mes
SAGE is such that few, if any wings as party men,
can object to-indeed it appears to me TO be- III the
main sound acI5iq doctrine and must assure the
Governor that l feel the force of his compliment
although not intended, perhaps, as compliment, to
! the correctness of wing principles.
read with great deal of pleasure the comments
! in the Message on the subject of Educaton par
ticuarY that portion wherein he refers to the Cap
| itol. They reminded me of the action OF the City
authorities of Nashville in relation to the establish
ment of public schools here. For some years the
81, Of cohp nll an
| nearing thew complained and in the Municipal
Elections of 1852, the matter was canvassed with
| nnuch interest The Board of Aldermen then elect
ed went into office pledged to establish the Schools
After a great deal of debate and controversy, they
agreed upon the primary steps to carry opt their
pledges and determined to lay Oft the city INTO
school districts in each Of which they proposed to
have primary school and in addition they deter
mined to have several High Schools in suitable To-
cations So far all was good; but Nashville Is vain
of the grandeur of her architectural dlsplay-(tor
what reason | don't know, having never seen any
private or public buildings the Capitol excepted
that have any just claims to beauty or taste IN that
respecO-and spLrge must be made. According
", although a lot had been bequeathed 20 the city
for that purpose, the Board purchased lot at the
expense of $4,000 and have erected upon 1t &
splendid edfce at the expense of about S2OOO(
more and the Treasury Of the city IS depleted anC
heavy debts hanging over it. Not sing primary
school house has been erected: and in one building
alone have the taxes of several years been sunk
This | fear will be the end of all our hopes oul
boasts and pretensions in regard TO free schools We
pay three thousand dOlarsa month for gas light anC
| we get it; but we pay for light to Ilumine the
minds of our children and dreary is the prospect
getting that. Now mark 1.-THE city will be com
PEELED TO retrench her expenses, she must do it, o.
get hopeIessly involved; and, I predict the frs
step will be to transfer the school tax to other use
the gas lights will be permitted to. remain, they
being for the benefit of a monopoly, and the arts
tocracy who must not walk in darkness lest the!
stumble and perhaps turn an ANGLE In connection
with such thoughts az these, the remarks of Gov
Johnson are full Of interest to me, have no ide
that any thing worth groat will be done either b,
Nashville, or the State for public schools. Vanit,
and demagogueism rule the day.