The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-03-08

much evil as good and finally, sin spite
of the talsehoods which Constitutions pro-
claim to the contrary, the privileged few
must governW Sir, these are not exact
ly the tenets for which former genera
tion made sacrifices! This is.not the
faith in which we were brought up!-
This is not the entertainment TO which
freenen have been invited! Ours is a
government of the people, or it is pro-
fession of damnably falsehood and when
we neglec! their real and substantial in
terests, we pervent the power which the
people confer; and betray the trust which
the people repose. Such theory as
that of the modest Reviewer would put
an end to all our plans Of progress and
improvement for the millions of our race,
with al their sufferings, joys, hopes, and
gushing human sympathies. 1t would
give the lie to our democratic theory Of
government; and brand all our rcpubli-
can struggles and achievements n. the
manifestations of a wild and fruitlcss de-
lusion! Such, sir, is not my political faith!
My confidence, and my sympathics are
not with "the privileged few" NY faith
rests with the common mind-with tho
common people; in whom there is an in
herent powcr-a potent, moral Influence
which is excrtcd and felt in every organ
lied society. in its presence the dignity
of self constituted umpires Of human right
"vanishes into air--into thin air." and
the votaries Of temporary power dwinde
into insignificanre. Aud when that po-
tent will and primal power Of the people
is evoked and aroused, its voice is rs the
sound of many waters; and it uttcrs its
high mandates in the language of unmis.
takenblc authority! Those neglected and
despiSed classes are capable Of thought
of judgment-o of government; and in de-
spite of all adverse theorizing, there can
be no limitation to their progress aud
pcrfectibility. The poets burning thought
addresses itself to my mind:
"Tyrants, in van may trace the may ring,
In vain they limit minds unwearicd spring;
They cannot ull the winged winds to sleep,
Arrest the rolling world--nor chair the deep !;
The wild wave Contemns their sCeptlcd hand
ltrolled not back when Canute gave conlmand!"
| trust, sir, We all agree in what is ne
ccssary TO be done; that we are all dcsi-
irous Of accomplishing the same result
higher and more general development
OF intelligence among the common peo.
pie, 10y means of the Common School,
Here is plan offered for that purpose
1t is defective, it it is erroneous, then let
us change, modify, correct, improve it, -
The plan offered has cost me some labor
and research. have corresponded with
tho Executives of the several States of the
Unio... lhavestudic the systems ofeverv
State which has a system. The result Of
my inquiry is the system proposed. Ii
any one will oticr better plan, pledge
my humble, but cordial support of such
other and better system. l only ask, in
the name Of my country and humanity, in
the name Of high moral duty, and noble
achievement, let us DO something III this
field Of labor!
The solid prosperity and glory Of orr
country-its political strength and per
manent well-being--dcpcnd, not so much
| upon the wisdom Of its councils, and the
greatness of its statesmen, as upon the
amount Of cultivated ntellect-traincl,
regulated virtue - enlightened, moral,
and physical energy, to be found among
the rank and file Of her citizens.
The political economist will dc'Lons.
tratc the truth that il is cheaper to ed.
ucaie for the purpose Of preventing crime
and paupcrIsm, than 10 reprcss and pun
lsh the one, or furnish subsistence for
the other. Go visit your jails and pau
per establishments; make IN inquest
there, and examine tier tenants. The
great majority of those unfortunate per
sons will he found incapable Of reading
the New Testament! Incapable Of spen-
ding an evening, or Sabbath, in tho
enjoyment of any moral or intellectual
pleasure!
One of the proioundcst thinkers Of this
age has said, that "educatou deals with
causes; punishment 10y operation OF law
deals with effects" 1t requires reflection
to comprehend fully the significance OF
this remark. A boy commits theft
that theft is tie effect of vice: and that
vice the consequence and result Of a ne.
elected education. The lights and truths
OF elementary training might have proven.
ted both. But the law deals only will,
the effect. A magistrate is paid by the
State for issuing warrant; a con.ta',l ,lc
Is paid Tor making the rs:st; j,ilor is
paid for boarding and lodging tie crimi.
nal grand jury is paid for finding m
indictment; the Solicitor is paid for prose.
cutting to conviction; the petit jury is pail
Tor investigation and v.rdict; and J Judge
is paid for presiding and pronouncing the
sentence ofthe law; which dooms the of
fender TO Infamous punishment. and seals
hIs lifelong disgrace; and society sustains
loss, even thus in the just administration
OF law. The State pays dearly for not
having before paid teacher for failing
! to have sent the schooLmaster abroad
The State will punish--is bound TO pun.
ish; although il had had never furnished
that out cast youth the facilities for ac-
qulring knowledge and virtue; and she
who bad borne to him the name Of moth.
er, Tor the same reason, may have been
incapable OF teaching the child's catecbism,
And these remarks are substantially true!
and applicable to the majority Of all the
criminal prosecutions in the State. Flu
cation deals with causes; punishment,
with effects. Its cheaper to prevent than