Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-05
EDucArIoN IN SOUTH CAROLINA.


EDUCATION In SOUTH CAROLINA.
The South are waking up to the Importance
Of establishing Q general system Of common
school education, and we are pleased to note
that proposition for this purpose has been in
tfoduced into the South Carolina Legislature.
Gov. Manning, in his recent message thus in
troduced the subject to their notice:
"Undoubtedly the most important measure
which shall bring to your consideration, is
the reformation Of the present system Of pub
lie instruction in the State. IL as has been
frequently stated, education is the cheap de-
fence of nations, and the permanence Of re-
publican institutions depends upon the en-
Iightenment OF their citizens, you have but lit
tie security for the prosperity and happiness
you now enjoy. Education has been provided
by the Legislature but for one class of the cit
ixens Of the State, which 10 the wealthy class.
For the middle and poorer classes OF society ID
has done nothing, snce no organized system
has been adopted for that purpose. You have
appropriated seventy-ive thousand dollars an
nnally to free schools, but, under the present
mode Of applying it, that liberality il really
the profusion of the prodigal, rather than the
judicious generosity which coniers real benefit
The few who are educated at public expense
in those excellent and truly useful institutions,
the Arsenal and Citadel Academies, form al
most the only exception TO the truth Of this re
mark. Ten years ago, twenty Thousand adults
besides children, were unable to read or write
ia South Carolina Has our free-sch00l system
dispelled any Of this ignorance? Are there not
any reasonable fears to be entertained that the
number has increased since that period Are
generations to come and 81, and still see no
Improvement in the education Of the humble
portion Of your population Ii no change -
effected, with increasing commerce, with 800
miles Of railroad, with your machinery with
your unimprovcd ladds, who are to be your
merchants engineers, machinists, and mechan-
los and your farmers"
Mr. Tucker, the author Of the bill for the
improvement Of the free school system, made
speech which is warmly commended. Mr..
Sullivan thought MIR. Tucker had suggested
in his plan the introducing Of foreign North
ern) systems into the State, against which he
earnestly protested The subject was finally
laid on the table.
The Carolina Spartan says:
1--WE are for educating the masses, and in
favor Of the State Of South Carolina paying her
money for it, upon system which shall extend
the privilege to all No other system will suit
us--no other will answer the purpose"
Some excitement was manifested by the me-
chanics in South Carolina by some derogatory
remarks in an address recently delivered in the
s. c. College, by VIM. B. Taber, Esq, editor Of
the Charleston Mercury. The Patriot says:
ale took the ground, boldly, that laboring
classes had no right to be educated; that the
poor man had to work; and it was useless for
him to learn to read and write; that little
made the people vicious and idle. He
opposed the common schools and denounced
them as mischievous He deprecated dema-
goguism, and urged conservatism, whilst urging
tho most olaptrap arguments in favor Of the
aristocratic few, who were TO be educated, and
who were to govern the rest of mankind in
their ignorance and poverty
al heard Mr.. Taber's graduating speech
some years ago, and was delighted with it
have been on terms of kindness with him ever
since, but must confess that never before has
il fallen to my lot land say it with sorrow to
listen to such farrago of insolence, ignorance,
and tyranny, as were embodied in his speech.
It was worthy Of the dark ages OF Europe and
the iron rule Of feudai baron. The whole
speech was not only against human liberty, bat
ia opposition to republicanism, to civilization,
and the spirit Of the age. In order to show
the mischief of education among the masses,
he appealed to the Northern States Surely,
Mr.. Tabcr has never been in the Northern
States, and has adopted all the slang Of those
who 20 North every summer to spend their
money and enjoy the richness Of tho North, and
return home affecting 10 despise the North.
They have more wealth in the Northern States,
more education, more literature, more republi-
canism, and more religion with much greater
Improvement and progress in everything than
We have Mt the South, MIR. Taber to the con.
trary notwithstanding. And, ia my opinion,
il is owing mainly 10 the education of the peo
plen
This notice Of Mr. Tsber's address called
forth a note from him TO tho editor Of the Pa
iriot, characterizing his remarks n an assault,
highly offensive and unjustifable." The
editor Of the Patriot replied, that the address
was public, and contained principles and ar
gamon . extremely Objectionable to oil my Ihisl
notions on the subject Of edneaion and its
and that his assault was on
Mr.. IT'S arguments and conclusions, and not
On him personally. Whereupon Mr.. Taber
Ielt constrained to challenge the editor Of the
Patrol 10 fight duel, which, ~ he had said
nothing impugning Mr.. It's "honor or chsrac
ter as gentleman,v Mr.. Perry declined.
Mr. Tabcr subsequently, published a card, in
which he states that portion Of his address,
was delivered without notes, that he made
he Athenian Democracy and the universal en-
ghtenment which prevailed among the whole
body Of the citizens, the basis Of all his rcmarks
and distinctly recognised the fact that the edu
cation Of the people was essential to republi
canism. He holds no such opinion as that the
State should educate particular GLASS; to the
exclusion Of others but he believes IL TO be CO.
pecially the duty Of free government 10 instruct