Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-12

that he had gone over precisely the ground " hch
had occupied my thoughts and was IN the PTactical
enjoyment of the conclusions at which had aTrfy-
ed The public fund for his district amounted an
nualy to 800; and to this he added $2o0, never
asking any one else to contribute, and boarding ree
the teacher In return he allowed to select the
teacher: and he had with him very competent
Young man. teaching ten months IN the year Inc
gentleman in question had number OF small boys
to educate; and but for the Free School system ne
would have had to pay $500 instead OF $500 to get
a teacher at home or to have expended some $500
in the neghboring village, with his children expos
ed to injurious influences on every side
Now suppose that in every district where there
are one two or more families of MEANS desiring to
educate their children WE'LL this plan were pursued,
what would be the result? And in this connection
wish it to be distinctly understood that desire no
one to contribute much as 1T would cost nm TO
educate his children in any other way.
Now, if the intelligent portion OF the community
would pursue this plan, or if they would only send
their children to the Common Schools and take an
active part in their management the Schools them
selves would be greatly improved and the spirit of
education would spread into that class who now re-
fuse to send to any School. But my time will not
permit me to pursue this branch of my subject far
thcr except to make few remarks concerning the
idea of charity as associated with the Common
Schools. They precisely such a charity as the
University-founded on exactly the same principle
If there no Colleges or Universities 1t would
cost gentleman from $25 900 to $50 900 to educate
one son in the manner in which he can be educated
at Chapel Hill. He would have to employ, at an an
nual salary of 81 900 to 81 $780, Professor of Math-
ematics Professor of Languages, Professor OF
Chemistry, Philosophy &c, Professor OF Political
Economy, &c. and Professor of Bellies Letters &c,
then he would have to eXpend from $4,000 to $780,
900 for chemical and philosophical apparatus Libra
ries &C., &c. In view of these difficulties the Uni
versty founded at the joint expense of all the
people, and for the same funds raised in
various ways, for other Colleges and with these
funds buildings are erected, books and apparatus
purchased and annual income secured to pay part
L. g - ~
current expenses of the institution After this much
has been done by the public the cost of collegiate
education to each student is diminished at least
hundred fold and this is exactly the way in which
our Common Schools operate. common fund is
provided at the joint expense of all, and in those
counties which lay taxes for School purposes each
one pays according to his means.
Ia short the Common School systems of the Uni
ted States are founded on this great or impor
tant idea to-wit: That by throwing the burden of
education on the whole community as public tax,
the cost to each individual except to the very rich
is vastly diminished, and the chances of universal
intelligence greatly enhanced
On the same principle governments are establish
ed and the people taxed for their support; and he
would be universally considered fool or knave
who would contend that only those having mmed-
ate business with government in the courts should
contribute any thing towards the expenses of an eff
fcient administration Of justice.
government or a Judiciary, supported by the
voluntary subscriptions of litigan parties would be
u
no law, and no protection.
Common Schools are a common burden and
though some pay more than others, each one, when
taxes laid, pays according to his ability. This
part of their duty towards the maintenance of Com
mon Schools, in North Carolina, am proud to say,
the rich have generally most cheerfully discharged;
greatly to their honor they willing to pay freely
and largely, and ask only that the money be we'll
applied. l say to them in return, invest your
ey in this i'll matter IN acticb y0u personally
nterestedlook after its application yourselves and
send your children to the Schools, so supported, and
many of complaint will soon disappear Con-
tribute your money to inrestMeRL IN aohich
yOu StOckhOL2er and look after the djgjde7ads
and no longer consider that you giving to char
ity, and actuated merely by benevolent mo-
tives.
You have direct personal interest in the success
of the Common Schools-so feel and act accordingly
and you will see change in the whole aspect of
things.
Having devoted this letter to the more wealthy
and intelligent classes, and having addressed them
in very plain language, SHALL in my next, take
similar liberty with the people at large, of all classes.
wish not to Offend and to do full justice to the
tives of all but feel that / ought to speak plainly
and to touch directly the points which need probing.
Having to write at odd intervals when wearied with
travel my style is more blunt than could desire it
to be; but my great purpose is, not to make dis
play of ingenious argument or of elegant compost
ton, but to convey ideas, st least to provoke
excite ideas among the people.
If seem to speak harshly let it be remembered
that aim at the welfare of all-dcsring to see the
blessings of education and freedom secured to the
poor and rich-the former started upward ca
reer of responsibility honor and happiness and the
latter not only secured in the enjoyment of their
means but made more wealthy and more happy by
having their lots cast among people universally
al, Intelligent, independent and prosperous
With great respect,
@. H. WILEY.
Murphy Cherokee n c. Sept 81 1863