Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-29
H0YRMBgR Is.
NJ Q
OF His Excellency, GOV. REID. to the
w--r.--
Legislature Of North CaroIlna.
n, ne Honorable the General assembly
- he SLnLe of Morfh Cnrnlina


In communicating my regular Message to
tne General Assembly, a ht occasion is pre-
sented for aongratulating its members upon
tbe blessings which o kind Providencei has
bestowed upon the people Of the State, and
esnoeially upon their exemption, to q cOnsid-
arable extent. from the diseases and calami-
ties y hich have visited other States and Ma
lions. with such sad and devastating conse-
ouences. Ii is also a subject Of congratula-
ton that the spirit of progress and improve
ment. which, at present, animates our people,
presents = bright prospect for the destiny of
our beloved State.
Agriculture, in North Corolina, has under
gone an important Improvement, which has
Increased the reward ofthe husbandman, ard
Unmarried an additional interest to this great
pursuit the amount Of crime committed, it
4 believed, will compare fa~vorablyswith that
of any other State the laws have been exc.
cated rs faithfully, and justice administered
a. impnrtiAlly as in any other country the
faith Of tho State has been scrupulously pre-
served, and her credit stands eservedly high,
both at home and abroad. Improvements are
being extended to afford the Farmer and Me-
chanic n cheap and expeditions mode of trans
portation for the surplus products of their
labor, and for the supplies they are to receive
In r%eturnss; a University, Of the highest rank,
aided by numerous Collegrs and Academies,
Of a high order and q. system of Common
Schools, which will sooR be second a. C..
e2 3les5 * hcate faB smont 70 every class
Of our citizens the Geological examinations
arc almost daily disclosing valuable additions
10 the inexhaustiblo mineral wealth Of the
State and, added to all these, we have a
population that is unsurpassed in the essen
AfaI nI.unamN &C Ar.n .Wnok,aoa Rrf nnA-I
withstanding this gratifying condition of
things, there are many subjects intimate
~ connected with the welfare and prosperity
Of tho people Of the State, which require the
action ofthe General Assembly.
In a government like ours, where the voice
OF the people, to o great extent, controls pub
lie measures, Education is not only n subject
in which every good citizen feels a deep in
terest, but 1t becomes one Of great public i'm
portancc, and demands the fostering care Of
the State. Hence that clause in the Consti-
tuition which declares
"That n schoolo or schools shall be establish
Cd by the Legislature, for the convenient in
s~truction Of youth, with such salaries to the
masters, paid by the public, as may enable
them to instruct at low prices and all USE
full learning shall be duly encouraged and
promoted in one or more Universities"
LII GhANNInihy ~ tAO 0bhbC &c u IA
operation, sustaining the high reputation it
has long and doservedly enjoyed ; and, at
each Commencement, sends forth a number
Of graduates to engage in the various pursuits
of life. This institution is every year educa-
ting, gratuitously, no uncomfortable number
of meritorious young gentlemen, who have
not tho means for that purpose. ltwould be
difficult TO estimate the beneficial influences
the University has exerted in North Carolina,
and in other States Of the Union.
Our Common Schools have been in opera
ton but for q comparatively short period,
and are progressing as we'll, perhaps, as we
have n right to expect, when we consider the
many difficulties that have to be encountered
in the commencement of such asystem. There
are doubtless still many defects in the man
agement Of these Schools, which time and ex-
pericnco will enable us to correct. The sys-
tenn, however, is doing incalculable good, and
It's beneficial influence will be more striking
ly obvious to the generation which succeeds
us. There is no subject more worthy of ia
yorablo consideration than Common Schools.
people. In a few years, those who now d.
rect public affairs will pass from the stage oi
action, and the welfare and DESTINY of the
State and the Republic will be committed to
the charge Of n new generation. If that gen.
GRAFTON shall be found wanting in wisdom
and virtue, what is to be the fate of the mon.
uments Of greatness erected by its ancestors ]?
The education Of the masses Of the people Is
the best security for the rights of persons and
OF property and, in q free government, where
Intelligence and virtue are the true passports
to fame and distinction, it places tho poor and
obscure upon an equality with the rich and
powerful, and will prove the best means Of
~perpeinatiug the blessings of liberty.a
DuriUW Abe laqt voor tL,oeo -. l:SA..II
from tha Literary Fund, for Common Schools
IN the various counties of the State, thessum
OF one hundred and twenty-eight thousand
one hundred and two dollars, fourteen cents,
ll2o,lO2 IA; j and, during the present year,
the sum OF sne hundred and eighty thousand
eight hundred and fifty dollars, eight cents,
(SloO,o5O u.s. has been distributed for the
same object. 1t is believed that nearly tn,
same amount has been collected by taxation
IN tho counties, for the support Of Common
Schools.
The report of the General Superintendent
OF Commou Schools, for the past year, give,
an account, in detail, of the labors and OBJ
seryations of that officer. 1t states many
gratifying facts, and presents various sug
gestions in regard to the improvement Of tn,
schools. 1t is herewith transmitted. Hi,
report for the present year will be communi
Gated in due time.
It's desirable that the principal of the Lit
erary Fund should be increased, to perma
nently secure u larger distribution for tn,
support of Common Schools.
The Swamp Lands are an uncertain sourc,
of income, and their successful management
requires a degree Of personal attention, thai
it would be extremely inconvenient for the
Executive to bestow. The titles of LARGE
tracts OF the land are in dispute, and it is be.
lieved, that trespasses, materially impairing
their value, have been committed on them
for years. When counsel are instructed to
bring suits n difficulty arises in-Hreosy;pp
the necessary to their successful
prosecution, The lands, in many instances,
are inaccessible, except to persons who have
experience in their exploration. Further
legislation is necessary to protect the public
interest in these lands. 1t is believed thai
public policy demands that provision should
be made for the appointment Of an eficien.
Agent, 70 be paid a reasonable salary, who's,
duty it should be, under the instructions o
the Literary Board, to procure facts to ena
Die the Board to protect its interest in tn,
Swamp Lands.
The Institution for the education of tn,
Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, is in success
fuloperation, and affords greatfacilities form
parting instruction to these unfortunate elias
ses Of our population, who by the knowledg
they receive are prepared to become intelli
gent and useful members Of society. Th,
institution is under the management of
Board Of Directors who perform a good dea
Of labor without receiving any compensation