The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-02-08
NO. a S.

means. The State should see +, It
as far as practicable, that the means
are not abused. This is the basis If
all legislation against the publication
OF obscure and corrupt works. And
the State when she assumes the edu-
cation of the citizen, should Jealous.
y strive to protect him from pollution,
Just as wise parent watches over the,
mind and heart of his offspring
With such safeguards, reading and
writing would become the most benefi-
cent instruments in peoples progress
and happiness.) s
IT, then, this system fails, to elevate
the people intellectually-if it does
not diminish vice and crime: if aided by
'icentious Press it fosters mental ven.
ity, wild speculation and immortality
If, i'll word, it falls short of it's
object, the welfare of the Republic,
what is the system really conducive to:
that end?
The first object Of public education
should land by public, me..n Statcl
be to inform the people of the nature Of
their government, the rights and duties
Of the citizen. Prof Leber in his ad-
m'rable essay upon Anglican and CAL
ilcan liberty, enufherates this among,
the duties Of all free systems. We be.
lieve that, as regards the larger portion
OF the citizens, government will fail
when 1t attempts more; and it effects
results grand and bcneficient indeed.
when it ducssthis much.
And here we again recur with con-
lidencc to the Alhenian system. 1t
was in the Ecc!esia, in the public
courts, and tie debates Of statesmen,
that the Athenlan imbibcd the princi-
Pies ofhiS g"vcrnm mt, and learend
his rights which he so we'll defended.
and the duties nc so nobly performed.
We too have our Ecclesia in our
public assemblies, our open Courts
and our Legislatures, where the ma.
ture Of our institutions are discussed
and defined, and where high public
spirit can be fostered. To these sour,
iees are the people &c shss State greatly
1ndeoIed for the superior acguaintance
with their government, and the patti.
otlc spirit which distinguishes them
From The lips of Calhoun aud Mcduf..
fie they have been wisely taught the
rights and duties that befit and adorn
free people. The lives and teach.
'ngs OF such men are the best books Of.
political wisdom, and they will he
remembered not because read. but
because they have been seen and heard
and will descend rs heir looms from
tathcr to ION.
But there isl a requisite higher than
this in the education ofthe citizens of,
a Republic. It is an elevated tone Of
honor and morals. And what school
SO fitting as the home for these? Home
education, enforced by the sweet in.
fiuence OF the parent, and the gentle.
dependency ofthe child, can alone,
engraft upon the nature those Quail.
Ties neediul to the man and the citizen.
No system, however comprehensive
can dispense with its blessings and
benefits. A people whose homes are
the altars Of principles and honor,
have the best of common schools at
their own hear,hs, to prepare them for
their career. Here indeed has God
blessed the South. Around our
homes grow alike the hopes of youth
and the recollections of age; and in
that social intercourse so fairly our
pride, generosity and honor, purity
and intelligence find genial soil.
These are the essentials of the educa-
tions Of the citizens of Republic. I
do not say that further education is
not highly advantageous to the citi.
zen of Republic. nor dol deny thas
in propotion to their progress in 3
knowledge of all the arts and sciences.
will they prosper and develope. But
my subject is the Essentials of
Republic" and | am seeking to define
accurately the limits Of such all edu-
cation, without disputing the certain
blessings to flow from greater culture.l
But when State education goes fur.
thcr, when in keeping with tho spirit
of the age, it seeks a broader basis let
her rear institutions like this {the S.
G. College. Let her concentrate
light upon the hilltop whence its rays
will pierce the dark valleys and iliu.
mine the path ofthe climber, rather
than scatter feeble candles, whose
uncertain lights decoy the unWary
into pits aud quagmires. Let the
pupils Of this and similar institutions.
step forth into life deeply imbued
with the spirit Of our institutions and
*orthy principles. Men whose pres
ence and example shnl radiate patri-
oiism and honor and who in the
doubt and fury ofpolitical crisis.
will command the gaze and and guide
the steps of the arring. When she
does educate, let her educate efficiently.
Let her build upon the basis Of the
home and family, an intellectual.
saperstructure, grand ana comprhen.
sive, blenaing individual excellence
with State pride, making the man 4
part Of the State. and the State a mart