Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-14

contend, as best they could, with the diff
culties around them; their position was
such that from the start each one had prac-
teal experience Of all the attributes Of SOW
ereignty.
Their arms were ever by them, loaded
and ready for use, wild beasts and wild saw
ages threatening on all sides, and there be-
ing no standing army, each one was often
called on to adjudicate, to legislate, to coun-
sci for common safety and common improve
ment. They learned to reflect; new ideas
dawned on them, their hearts were enlarged,
and their minds disciplined, and they in
time acquired that moral stamina, that in
dependence and courage, self-knowledge and
knowledge of others, that mental fortitude
fand physical bravery, that sturdy self-re-
spect and indomitable love of freedom and
right-which carried them successfully
through the grand Drama Of the Revolu-
ton, and founded that glorious Republic
which is our inestimable inheritance
Under our Common School system, res
possibilities somewhat similar are thrown
upon the people; they are required not
merely to vote, but to act and think for
themselves. In the exercise of their duties
they are all going to school; and some of
them, in two terms Of Committee ship,
learn more than they ever knew before of
the relations of citizens to each other in a
republic, of reciprocal duties and correspond
ing advantages, of public necessities and of
their bearing on individual prosperity and
happiness.
The most ignorant sometimes become &C
quainted with general affairs, and are forced
to think, to enquire and look about; and
all are losing those habits of absolute de-
pendence on others, so pernicious to their
own welfare.
They become accustomed to the practi-
cal exercise Of authority-they are taught
to feel responsibilities which come home to
the conscience of each, as each father feels
or ought to feel that he has an immediate
stake in the matter-they learn how the
world is governed, the necessity Of indi-
vidual sacrifices, zeal and action, the i'm
portance of each unit in the sum total of
the State, while they carry on Wholesome
and invigorating exchange and commerce
of IDEAS and opinions, becoming acquainted
with the wants of the community, and with
the habits of thought and feeling of their
neghbors.
Why, Sir, our Common School system
has set more people to thinking than al
our other laws put together and while
those who would have the popular mint
stripped of AL arms and left defenceless be
fore the weapons of their own cunning
are trying to laugh the people out of coun
tenance with their efforts at thought, ar
carricaturing their trainings at their men
tai musters, and using every effort to induc
them to abandon the attempt to arm an,
protect themselves, why are not the host
of better republicans as active and clamo
rous in exhortations to persevere, to respec
themselves, and by their action put to con
fusion those who have no confidence il
their ability to govern themselves
The people were naturally diffilent, back
ward, ready to believe they were maxim
a failure, as the whole thing was new t
them, as they were conscious of their lac
of information and opportunities, and a
darkness brooded over the operations of tn
system; similar difficulties our ancestor
had to encounter in starting the Republi,
The opponents of that system were div
ded into two classes, to wit the patriot
and friends of humanity who feared the II
suit of an attempt at popular Governmer
would not last or succeed, and the friends
despotism who feared it might succeed
encouraged.
When the enterprise was started, eacl
therefore, acted the part which his prime
pies taught him-the timid and doubtful
because they were timid and doubtful, la
to with greater energy, working diligent
with their hands, and in their prayers fe
vently auspicating success.
So should it have been-so should it no
, be with respect to our efforts at Commt
Improvement Triumph and not failu
should be held perpetually before our eye
and those who are ever preaching the il
ter and giving out evil prophecies, shou
not be allowed to SOW, uninterrupted, the
pestilent doctrines. They should be a
9 swered that their theories are in confi
y with proper respect for popular discretio
: justice and energy; and the people shou
. be called on to refute them by their actor
! and encouraged to believe that they can
: diciously exercise power-that they can a
! will improve by experience, and that t
y difficulties in the way, by no means inst
: erable, will soon be conquered by persev
II ance and patience.
r. The Almighty, though omnipotcnt, tc
six days to create and fashion the world
" lesson to mans impatience. The Comm
= Schools of Massachusetts, are the growth
Is near y three centuries; we have had ex
= rience in such matters for about one thi
q eth part of that time
4 There is plain course for the true men
~ doubted about our Common Schools they
" eoInize the vast Importance of the undertak
and see the magnificent goal in prospect, W
to they only dread the intermediate dangers
ur The course for these lnen now is to
rv those who we're for the Common Schoo
mo- first, and the course for both is TO combine
Il the people against those who think they S
selfish interest in the ignorance and defe
~ less situation of their fellow beings.
on The ship is on the waters, and what'
nd doubts there might have as to the propfiet
er- the launch or the mode or the consiructio
is. the craft it is too late now TO discuss Il
ar while we all agree that the freight is of in
mabe value. A wreck would shed a q
on every republican heart--it would be a II
ty triumph 10 the opponents of popular ri
III 1t would be almost equivalent to a flilu
or one Of the State republics and would be
to ed by the advocates of the king-craft as
first of a series of explosions that are to C