The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-12-06

cleemosynary proifer to those whose pride and
ignorance make them either reject the gift, or
receive it without benefit or gratitude; but ratll.
er a fountain flo wing for all, at which they may
freely partake. Upon the same school forms
and by the same masters should be taught the
element of educations TO all the youths of the
State; and let those who tastes or means en-.
able them to do SO, pursue those other avenues
of knowledge which will lead them to more
ambitions eminence, and a wider field of dis,
play. But let the basis of the education of the
young of the State be laid in her primary
schools. This will afford that patronage which
is necessary for the support Of any system. 1t
will not be done Immediately; but by pursuing
judicious design, to be carried into effect by
capable individuals, this end will be ultimately
accomplished
Such design does not preclude the exis-
tence of private schools. Extend instruction,
and the more instruction will be required -
Pierce this barrier of prejudice and ignorance,
which refuses all approach to the adoption of
better views of public instruction, and for one
school established, fifty will spring into exist
ence. Ten years ago, twenty thousand, adults,
besides children were unable to read and write
in South CaroIua Has our free school sys-
TEN dispelled any ofthis gnorances Arethere
not reasonable fears to be entertained that the
number has increased since that period! Are
generations to come and 60, and still see no
improvement in the education Of the humble
portion of your population If no change is
effected Sith increasing commerce, with 1900
miles of railroad, with your machinery, with
your unimproyed lands, who are to be your
merchants, engineers, machnsts and mechan-
les, and your farmers!
A. reformation in public instruction, if any
be made, cannot be effected directly by your
selves. 1t must b. done by your agents. l
recommend tc you the establishment of Board
of Education and the appointment Of Com.
missioner of Public Instruction, whose duty it
shall be to gather facts with regard to this State
and thoroughly inform himself upon the sys-
tens of such other governments as educate
their people best, and report the result of his
labors to the board or commission, who to.
gcther shall digest plan to be submitted to
you for ratification or rejection. Pay them
either by an appropriation, or,by per centage
| from tho free school fund.
The Board, suggest, shall be appointed by
to he chosen by the Trustees Of the South Car.
oina College by and with the consent Of the
Executive.
Accompanying this communication is letter
from the President of the South Carolina Col.
lege upon the subject of Public Education,
which contains views so well considered and
able, as to induce me to lay it before you, with
the hope that yon will give it such attention as
the Importance Of the subject demands
The subject of Medical Education is one
which think should engage your attention,
and receive, ~ german to general system of
education within the State, portion of your
care and assistance. Nor is this an unimport-
ant part of such system. Occupying as we
do a region which is not exempt from maarious
influences, we should be particularly interested
in all those means by which the natural iufu-
ences of the climate can to some extent be OBJ
waited, knowledge which is best acquired in
ATTITUDES in which those diseases are most prev.
alent.
1t is doubtless known to you that about thir-
ty years ago the first effort was made to build
up and sustain a Medical College within the
borders of our own State, and thereby to offer
to our young men the means of acquiring at
home medical education as thorough and
plete as they could obtain abroad. There
were valid reasons why this effort should be
made; and subsequent experience has afforded
the most convincing proof of the deep interest
our people and State shonld feel in the success
of such an enterprise. Thus far the Medical
College of the State of South Carolina has
grown steadily in prosperity and reputation,
| - has lto os,,k of atol,sl
an equal footing with the most respectable Of
similar institutions in the United States. For
this success it has been mainly indebted to the
zeal and untiring efforts Of its Professors; for
whilst other States have been most municent
in chcrishing their Medical Institutions, South
Carolina, although she has done something, has
fallen far behind most of the States Of the Con-
federacy. In this age of active competition,
the absence of adequate means has placed that
Institution at great disadvantage, and at the
present moment especially, when the rapid ad-
vancement Of science, growing out of the daily
development of new truths. forms more multi.
farious and complex processes of Investigation,
the appliances necessary in thorough system
of education and illustration have become so
numerous and expensive, as to be entirely be.
yond the limited resources of n Faculty de-
pendent exclusively upon the fees Of the stu.
dents for their inadequate compensation. This
natural wear and tear of property and of their
means Of illustration already at command, im-
pose an additional burden upon the Professors,
which they cannot well sustain.
Herewith present memorial from the Medi
cal College of the State of South Carolina,
which Snfs forth mara in dot oil thn nprpSSitv fnr
an appeal for State aid; not only for reasons
already given, but for others which are therein
clearly and forcibly stated Not the least i'm