The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-12-07

as being too exclusively professions, are un-
suited to the former purpose, and until that is
accomplished nothing is gained by the prepar.
alton, of teachers. 1t seems to me that in com
formity- with the principle that the know
ledge descends, and that the supply creates
the demand, the first step should be to es-,
tablish high school in each district in the
State, in which pupils could be prepared for
business or the university, and from which
a certain number of INDECENT young men Of
Industry and promise should he sent to col.
lege at the expense Of the State, upon the
condition of deyotng themselves, TO the Of.
fee of teaching for a specified period after
their graduation. The next step should be
to institute, as teachers and pupils could be
obtained, inferior schools in every portion of
the land, until the means Of instruction are
made accessible to all. The high schools, as
a preliminary measure, would be real and
efficient provision for populsr instruction
Ligli; cannot be confined. "a City set on
an kill cannot be hid Intelligence is es-
sentially ditfusive, and whatever increases
learning in one portion of the community,
elevates the standard Of thought in all. The
high schools would at once create demand
for the inferior, and furnish the means Of pro.
eviding them with teachers.
II the State. however, should decline TO
embark in general system, and should con-
tinue to restrict its appropriation to the in
digent, the principle which at present regu.
lates the distribution Of the fund should GER
tainly be changed. BY our public policy.
education is denied 10 one-balf Of our popu.
lation. The other half who constitute our
political vitality, are unequally distributed
over the State; and it is this portion of our
population whom it is our duty and our pol
icy 10 educate. The distribution should be
in proportion to white population. If the
State undertakes TO raise fund TO educate
the poor, il should be spent where it is most
needed. Under the present method, an
more money is allowed in one section for the
education offiye or six hundred children,
than in another for ten or dozen. In a
matter Of such vital importance to the State
district and parish lines should be disregard.
ed. Whether we live in the mountains or
on the sea-board, in the midst Of light or
surrounded by ignorance, we are all equally
interested in the noble work, and into what
ever benighted part Of the State the rays Of
knowledge can be made to penetrate, we
should feel as citizens of the same State en-
joying one renown, and linked to one desti,
ny, that the partial blessing is the general
good. Ifthe rich do pay1argely to the sup
port of government they enjoy large protec-
tion, and they win consult true policy by
contributing literally to the cause of educa.
tion, where suffrage is universal, and govern.
ment rests directly on the public will. Supe-
riff al I-r> LII Al
knowledge, for, after, the truths that regulate
the relations Of life are plain, and lie near
the surface. An ignorant people may passive
ly enjoy liberty, but they cannot feel its inspi.
ration, and will bring no sacrifice to its altar.
will not on such an occasion enlarge on
the necessity and importance of public in
straction. All civilized governments recog
nize the duty, and Labor to meet its require
inents. The subject addresses Itself with
peculiar force to a slavehnlding community
The world owes its civilization to slavery. Ii
exists with us in its desirable and enduring
form. at is the corner stone Of our repuhli
lican edifice," and its strongest defence will
be found in the education Of those entrusted
with its preservation.
1t is, however, impossible that the present
system, or any other, can be made to work
we'll without responsible head. There
must be unity and energy. Allow me to urge
uyon you, as has often been done, the me-
cessity Of appointing Superintendent Of
Public Instruction. Select man suit
able for the work. Pay him literally.
Cheap officers usually render cheap service.
Make it his duty to visit every ,neighbor-
hood in the State, and ascertain where schools
are needed--where school houses may be
conveniently located where. owing to
sparseness ofpopu!ation, they ycannot--where
those who are able to educate will unite with
the State in the establishment ofAcademies.
In word, do as has been done elsewhere--
have survey Of the field of ignorance, and
with the map before you, decide on your
system. Make at least this effort, and if it
results in nothing-if in Consequence of in
surmountable difficulties in our condition, no
improvement can be mado on the present
system, and the poor Of the land are hope
lessly doomed to ignorance, poverty and
crime lyon will at least feel conscious Of
having done yourduty, and the public ankle
~ on the subject will be qaieted. 81. 80
The Lunaiic Asylum is well managed,
and successfully performs its mission Of mer-
cy and humanity. feel relieved from the
necessity Of making may special recommen-
-.