The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-12-04

.UOu Nllltu LHe TedcH VI e'e'l 'a'A"J ''' Wv
State. A perfect scheme cannot be matured
ut once. 1t is easy 10 devise beautiful and
consistent plan, as thing Of speculation, but it
could not so readily be put into operation
partly from the want of means, partly from
lack OF interest in the benefits of instruction,
and especially from The mpossibity Of pro-
curing competent teachers Our incpent snca-
sures should look to the double end Of creating
apopular demand for education, aud oifurnish.
ing instructors able to supply it. Normal
schools, as being too exclusively professional
are unsuited t. the former purpose; and until
that is accomplished, nothing is gained by the
preparation of teachers. 1t. seems 10 me that
in conformity with the principle that knowledge
descends, and that the supply creates the de-
mand, the first step should be to establish high
school in each district in the State, in which
pupils could be prepared for business or tie
university, and from which certain number o.!
INDECENT young men of industry and promise
should be sent to college at the expense Of the
State, upon the condition u' dev"ting them
selves to the office of teaching for specified
!: period after their graduation. The next step
should be to institute, as teachers aud pupils
could be obtained, inferior schools in every
portion Of the land, until the means of ins;ruc
ton are made accessible TO ALL The hish
schools rs q preliminary measure; would he Il
real and efficient provision for popular insruc
. ton. Light cannot be confined. ''A city set
ON an hill cannot be hid" intelligence is cs.
sentially ditfusive; and whatever increases learn
ing in one portion of the community, eievates
the standard of thought in all The high
schools would at once create demand for the
interior, and furnish the means Of providing
them with teachers.
Ii the State, however, should decline to en-
bark in general system, aid :! !!lould c"n,inu"
to restrict its appr 'priaton To The INDECENT, the
principle which at present regulates the di>tri.
button Of the fund should certainly be changed
BY our public policy. education is denied to
one-haf Of our population. The other ha!,,
who constitute our political vitality, are uHe.
qually distributed over the State; anl it is tbs
portion of our popalaliun whom it is our duty
and our policy to educate. The distributions
stould be IN proportion to white po?ulati"n.-
If the State undertakes to raise fund to cdu.
cate,the r,or, it should he spent where it i
most needed. Under the present method, ~.
more money is allowed in one section for the
education Of FIVE or six hundred children, than
in another for ten or a dczeG. In a matter of
such vital Importance to the State, district and
parish lines should be dsregarded. Whether
we live in the mountains or on the seabnard,
in the midst Of light or surrounded by ignn.
rance, we are all equally interested in the noble
work; and into whatever benighted part of the
State the rays OF knowledge can be made to
E., IL
same State, enjoying one reuown and linked to
one destiny, that the partial blessings is the
general good. If the rich do pay largely t"
the support Of government, they enjoy large
protection, and they will consult ,rua policy by
contributing literally to the cause of education,
where suffrage is universal, and government
rests directly on the public will. Superficial
knowledge is better than no knowledge, for,
after all, the truths that regulate the relations
of life are plain, and lie nearthc surface. An
ignorant people may enjoy liberty, but they
cannot feel its inspiration, aud will bring no
sacrifice to its altar.
/ will not on such an OCCASION enlarge on the
necessity and Importance OF public instruction.
All civilized government recognise the duty,
aad labor to meet its requirements. The sub
ject addresses itself with peculiar force to
slavehodng community. The world owes its
civilization to slavery. 1t exists with US in its
most desirable and enduring forn. 1t is the
corner stone of our republican edifice," and it's
strongest defence will be found in the educa.
ton Of those entrusted with its preservation.
1t is, however, impossible that the present
system, or any other, can be made to work
;tl,n IL
be unity and energy. Allow me to urge upon
you, rs has often been done, til" necessity Of
appointing Superintendent Of Public lnstrnc-
ton. Select man suitable for the work.
Pay him literally. Cheap officers usually ren
der cheap service Make it his first duty to
visit every neighborhood in the State, and as
certain where schools are needed-where
school houses may be conveniently located
where, owing TO the sparsencss of population,
they cannot-whcre those who are able to cdu-
cate will unite with the State in the establish
ment Of Academies i'm word, do as has
been done elsewhere-have n survey Of the
field of ignorance, and, with the map before
you, decide on your system Make at least
this effort, AMI if it results in nothing-if, in
consequence of nsurmountab!e difficulties in
our conuitlon, no Improvement can be made on
the present system, and the poor Of the land
are hopelessly doomed to ignorance, poverty,
and crime, you will at least feel conscious of
having done your duty, and the public anxiety
On the subject will be quoted.
The Lunatc Asylum is well managed, aud
successfully performs its mission of mercy and
humanity. feel relieved from the nece>sil!
Of making any special recommendation in re.
lation to it, as committees were appointed at
your last session to examine its coudi,ion and
report on its necessities. After comparison