The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-18

fest their disapprobation of offensive doc
trines publicly promulgated, and in this case
the accusation brought by MIR. Perry against
the orator was well calculated to arouse
public indignation; but the great wrong
done was in making the accusation before
ii was clearly substantiatcd that il was well
grounded, and a perusal Of the address in
question will satisfy any unprejudiced mind
of its inju ,tice.
Our Paper has beJn so much occupied of
late by the necessary publication oft acts
and legislative journals, that we have not
been able to give this addrcse, as it was our
wish and intention to do; but we hope
shortly to publish it, and we ask for it can
did and unprejudiced pcrusal.
With regard to Mr. Perry and the part he
has taken in these manifestations of interest
for Popular Education: The Eotice whic
he published Of Mr.. Taber's address did
not fail of its effects and probabablo design.
The public mind, excited on question of
so much importance, was i'm that state which
led it to regard tha notice as some sort of
evidence that he was champion of the
people against what he termed insolence
and tyranny. A number ofthose, therefore,
who felt aggrieved, waiting on Mr.. Perry,
and requested him to deliver before them an
address on popular education. To this re.
quest he of course consented, and delivered
his speech to II large audience in our Town
Hall. AS we said before, there was nothing
remarkable in this eifort-wc have heard
the gentleman make many better speeches,
and we do not suppose there were n dozen,
If so many, of his hearers who did not pre-
riousiy know most OF what he told them,
and were generally familiar with the Illus
trious examples of the b nciits and bless
ings of education which he cited on that o.
aston. Mr. Perry his published this speech
in the Southern Patriot. We will try and
republish it also in our columns, and defer
further notice of it until then, 50 that injus-
tice may be done.
But us Mr.. = has assumed CHAMPION
ship in this matter, it is proper to see what he
has done in his Legislative capacity towards
tho furtherance of popular education. in
1852, when the Appropriation Bill was in
its second seading, Mr. Ashmorc moved to
amend the sixth section of the bill by stri-
kin out, in the clause for the support Of
Free Schools, 37,500 dollars, and inserting
74,40O. A motion was made to lay the a.
Eicndment on the table, which motion was
lost by avotc of 2s yeas to rs nays. Among
the % Yeas, we find the name of Mr. Perry.
This vote wus decisive, and evinced the de-
termination of the Legislature to doublo
the usual appropriation for popular ctuca.
ton; but MIR Perry attempted to put rider
upon it, by adding to Mr. Ashmorc's amcnl-
ment, provided the said appropriation be
apportioned among the several districts and
Parishes in proportion TO the white popula-
ti)n of the State" This riler was defeated.
on motion to lay it on the table, b, vote
of yoas 7S, navs 80. The question then re-
ha 70. 81
School appropriation, which, thanks to the
liberality of II wise representation passed by
vote Of yeas 79, nays 81; but again n
mong TIE nays we lind the name of Mr.
Perry.
But this was in 1852. Let us see what
this champion of Free Schools and popular
education did Ut the recent session, uep3.)
On the 18th December. the House Proceeded
10 the consideration of sundry bills before
that body, relating TO common school educa-
ton and the free school system of the State,
embracing, We presume, all the measures of
reform proposed. a motion To lay all these
bills on the table was made, but lost by n
vote Of yeas 40, nays 81 and amonp the
Yeas We find Mr. Perry's name amc arain.
The next movement was n bill offered ns
an amendment, providing for the appoint
mc1t of a Commissioner of Public lnstrur-
ton and a Board of Educlton the former
to be appointed by the Governor, by and
with the advice and consent Of the Board of
Trustees of the Sputh Carolina ColIeye
This amendment was, on motion, laid ON the
table, but in this instance Mr. Perry voted n
gainst laying on the table. Immediately af.
ter, however, he made motion to lay ali IN.
bills and reports Of the Committee on Educa-
on the table, which motion vas carr cd. and
thus, at his instance, the various measures for
r form were laid aside for the session.
We have referred to Mr Perry's votes sim
ply To show that they do not cntitle him TO
be regarded ~ the peculiar champion of pop-
pular education. We d. sire to do him no
injustice; but we do not understand how he
can lay claim TO be considered the ueople's
advocate on this important subject, when
he twice voted against the necessary Increase
of means to extend its blessings and benefits
1t was 10 his seat in the House of Represents.
tives, by his votes aud speeches, rather than
by addressing popular assembly, that no
could most etfectually aid that great and
good cause. His profession of devotion 10
the cause would have been greatly strength
cned thereby. Faith and work should 90
hand in hand.
Ii may be said that popular education has
been benefited by the recent excitement con-
ceming Mr.. Taber's address, originated by
Mr.. Perry's notice oft. True, il has evolved
the fact that the people feel an interest in the
subject, but not that kind Of an interest which
We consider healthy or beneficial to society.
or mt all calculated to advance the cause
Let there be no meetings held to discuss the
best mode Of reforming the present free
school system let those who are competent
TEXTURE before those meetings; let library
associations be formed; let evening schools
be instituted for the tuition and instruction
OF young men engaged in mechanical pur
suits; let the people instruct their represen-
tatiyes TO discuss and remedy to The best Of
their ability, the defects IF our present sys-
tam, and, after having done this, double the
present appropriation If necessary to carry
out the reform and in this way. rather than
by angry demonstrations, will education and
enlightenment be extended, until they con-
fer their benefits on the whole mass of
the people. IL is a cause that requires no
demagoguism to aid it, it requires na pal
ty organization to secure il success, it re-
quires no selEconstituted champion 10 fight
It's battles, and much less does II reoui,e tha