The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-08
From the PaI.;oL CEnH-d


To Merchants, Booksellers, and others t1teneste1flz
the safe Of SrhooL Books in North Carolina.
A complete series OF N0rth Caroli,an Reo1zor,
VIII probably be ready tor the use of schools by
inc. first day OF December coming. The series
VIII consist OF only three numbers, the last OF
highest number being my N. G.. Reader, revised
win The historical part brought down TO the pre-.
sent Time. This number viii be the only one o.
merely local interest. The publishers are A
. Barnes d. Co., St. John street, N. Y, and
merchants and traders who will leave their order.
with them this fall will have them promptly sun.
piled. have found this house to be liberal, re.
liable and punctual to its engagements In making
this announcement 10 the public, | wish to submit
very brief accoun, of The history of the enter
prise and of the motives which prompted it. Ii
was obvious TO me that our common schools have
languIshed for the want Of proper attention to- and
interest IN them. and to secure this attention and
arouse permanent and Increasing interest has
been leading object with me. Various efforts
tending 10 this end have been resorted %, and it
can be easily seen that for this purpose nothing
is more effectual than the use OF books made ex.
pressly for the schools treating of their interests
and bearing their name. Such books, we'll got up,
and used in The other institutions of learning, are
perpetual remembrance to all classes of the
common scho"ls-they give them new dignity and
importance, and many youths who never before
heard OF the common school system an interest
of the least consequence, study the very work TO
which il has given birth. The very fact that the
system is able to produce and give name to a
series OF text books enhances its value and i'm
portance in the eyes of young and old, while it
also teaches them self-dependence and inspires
confidence in the resources and energies of our
own people; while the matter Of these works. if
Judcious, could be made TO shape the entire mind
of the State by high pattern Of patriotism and
love Of home
For these reasons have much desired that an
enterprise which began before my election TO
office should be carried out. had made the chief
number of series Of N. G.. Readers, and wished
TO have the system completed. | desired to have
no Pecunlary interest in it, direct or Indirect, but
il did not undertake it myself, the difficulty was
TO get any other TO assume the responsibility.
was willing myself to make risks on the intelli
gence and State pride of my people; but could
not think Of having any investments in school
BOOKS vile occupying an official position with re-
gard 10 the schools
The enterprisng publishers above named, finally
agreed 10 my proposition. which was this, to wit ::
That they take the stereotype plates of the N. C..
Reader (my work. and the books on hand at orig
lna cost, and that give them the copy right on
condition that they employ competent citizen Of
the State 10 make the two primary numbers, and
then stereotype the works and be ready to supply
the State with a full series Of Home Readers.
Professor F. M. Hubbard, of the University, author
of the life of Gen. Davie, was selected to finish
the series. and it was agreed that ] should super
wise the whole, and also revise my own work, &c.
Professor Hubbard, with much taste and judgment,
has about finished his task, and am now ex-
aiming it: it will soon be in the hands Of the
printers, and ready for delivery. am thus par.
tlcular in mentioning the circumstances, that the
public may appreciate the work, and the enterprise
of publishers and authors. make them known
without the least feeling of egotism that am con-
scIous of, while for the sake of all concerned
wish it to be distinctly understood that receive
nothing for my copyright, no profits on my books,
and no pay or remuneration for my trouble and
expenses in the matter, while lose the interest,
for three years. on one half Of the original invest
ment, and give away valuable copyright.
have done this not to have it TO boast Of, but that
the book may be the more useful as being prompted
solely by desire to serve the public.
Its general use is recommended for the reasons
above stated, and because il is very desirable to
have uniform series Of books that the children
may be arranged in classes; and it may not be
inappropriate also TO suggest that the book, emana
ting it does, the President OF the University
himself also assisting in the matter, may possibly
enhance the sympathy between the University at
Chapel Hill, our highest institution Of learning,
and the common schools, our great primary Uni.
versty, and the first interest Of the State. lnde
pendent of all these considerations, 1t is believed
that this series Of Readers will have several adj
vantages over others Ii will consist of fewer
numbers. and therefore be cheaper, it viii! not be
burdened with complicated and artificial sys-
tenn Of rules, and the selections of the primary
numbers will have less baby-tak, and be more
interesting in matter, end correct, though simple
in style, than those Of other modern compilations
The work will aim 10 do justice to North Carolina,
10 insl useful information and correct ideas of
style into the minds of the young to educate the
heart with generous sentiments and republican
principles and to Undue mind and heart with love
and veneration, for the Author Of all good and the
Creator Of all things.
| earnestly recommend it 10 the use OF all our
schools, and respectfully suggest TO merchants,
and others interested in the sale Of
school books, to form the acquaintance of the pub
fishers OF this work. C.. II. WILEY,
Sup. Com. Schools for the State.
We learn that Janney's Hotel, at Columbia, was
sold at auction LAST Monday for the sum of S7 900