Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-11-05

a. i.
ought to have in our State Institution upon the plan
Of the d. S. Military Academy 81 West Point
NOur Superintendent Of Common Schools, in his
last report has Estimated the number OF Schools
Colleges, Academies, add Common Schools-an TINS
state at 3,8l4. r,6tIa
of all this number, there is not as far as know,
. single one which even processes to give any M
struction in military Science-not one IN which SO
much as the first rudments Of military tactlss sre
impaired. And yet who can doubt that the a'irasion
of military knowledge, rs ON element OF strenStn,
is Of national Importance to Tree people, "ho ~
avoid the dangers of standing armies and to for
tify the security Of peace, have reserved to them
selves the right of bearing arms; and that it's pos,
session would be of the utmost national ana
personal advantage, if, unfortunately tho pub
lie peace should DO disturbed And are there
any SO wise to know that such disturbance vii,
never occur among us? If an emergency should
arise to call forth any considerable portion OF our
militia to be embodied into an army, where is the
person to whom the finger OF public opinion
would point as the man to take the commandF In
the late war with Mexico when this State was called
upon for only one regiment, l apprehend, the Gov
ernor had no more difficult and delicate task to per-
form during his administration than to select suit
able field officers for that regiment out OF the mea-
gre material which the State afforded.
think, then, that it would be wise policy on the
part of the State to establish an Institution in which
a portion of her young men might receive instruc
ton in Infantry Tactics and military Police, in the
Science and Practice of Artillery and in Military
Engineering; and where too they might be taught
Military Discipline, and might learn the duty of OBJ
edience as Will as the art of command. The intor-
nation thus acquired would in part at least be grad
ually diffused throughout the State and in process
of time, our whole militia would become better OIL
cered better drilled and better prepared for active
service than they are or are likely to be- under
the present order Of things, But system COM
pretending Military instruction, merely as an acces
sorry to education is found to promote personal OBJ
jects by no means unimportan:; such as the estao-
lshment of firm, graceful any manly carriage, by
daily drill; of personal neatness, economy equality,
and just appreciation of others upon merit only,
by uniform Dress ola perfect physical develop.
mcnt and proportionate mental vigor, by healthful
exercise; Of good habits, method, promptness and
subordinaton, and hence increased application to
study by military organization" All these are to
be gained by superadding to the Literary and Scen-
tc course military instruction at hours usually lost
worse, on the voluntary system.
Our Colleges and other High Schools usually pro-
coed upon the old plan of preparing their students
for the learned professions, that is, Divinity, Law,
and Medicine. But there are other pursuits begin
ming to be considered rcspectable-which are now
drawing to them no inconsiderable portion OF the
genius talents, and energy of the present age; such
as Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Mi
ming, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Mechanism.
To provide for the wants of those who may desire to
engage in any of these, we need an Institution in
which, besides sound English education, there may
be obtained a thorough knowledge of those Sci
ences which more Immediately pertain to such
pursuits
An institution combining the two systems and
under military government and discipline, would
supply dcsideratum and confer great benefit upon
the State, and such one the State ought to have.
Virginia has her Military Institute purely Stae
institution-and its graduates filling important
positions in own State forks, which, if we had
an institution to prepare them for it. might have
been supplied by our own citizens. There are mill
tary schools also in Maryland in Tennessee in South
Ca ioina, in Georgia, and perhaps other Southern
States. Let North Carolina too establish such
institution, accessible to her sons. Let certain
number of young men of good moral character, Of
natural abilities, and of suitable age be
selected from the different parts of the State to
joy the advantages of the institution without mme-
date payment; and let these, when they have COM
pleted the course at the institution, be required to
teach for some specified time in the common schools
Of the State and to refund to the institution when
they become able, the expenses Of their education
there. In this way, great boon would be conferred
upon a number of meritorous young men, and
through them upon the Common Schools of the
State, and ultimately upon the State at large.
To show the advantages Of this system, need
only point to the wonderful success of the Military
Academy at West Point. Its graduates occupy
pre-eminence which those Of other institution in
the land can lay claim to. Every cadet graduated
at that Academy could, on the day of his gradua-
tion if he desired it, obtain honorable employment
in some civil station with not merely LIBERAL but
even high salary. Their services are sought for
in the educational institutions of the States in
works of internal improvement in the same, and in
various other employmcnts requiring energy, dis
ciplined mind, and scientific skill and knowledge.
do not mean to say, do believe that this pre-
emincnce is due to the superior knowledge, higher
order of talents or greater fathfulness of the in
structors Of West Point. l believe there are in the
State Institutions, gentlemen of great abilities, as
high endowments and as much fidelity to their
trusts as at West Point. But ascribe the differ
ence Of results to the difference of systems
1t is sad truth that our State has not furnished
ts quota to the of literature science and art
nay, its contribution is not adequate to supply the
home demand. Our colleges and academies have
been dependent other States for teachers-for-
merly, however, to much greater extent than now.
Our works of internal improvement have aim ost
ALL been constructed under the supervision of engi-
ncers from abroad our principal cdifices have been
planned and built by foreign architects our facto-
ries and workshops have generally been under the
of Northern artisans. Quousgue patio
mar hoe opprobrium ?
The resolution ELECTED remarks from quite num-
Der, and was unanimously adopted by the Conven-
ton.
The following resolution was offered by Mr.. Rich
ardson
Rsoed That this Convention deem it important to the
interest of the State Educational Society that have
gan devoted to the interests of general education.
Secondly That Committee be appointed to confer with
Mr. Wiley upon the expedeney aud pratcablity of having
the quarterly Common School Journal converted into
Monthly and if they shall find the practicable that
they take immediate measures to do SO.
According to the above recommendation, Messrs.
Carr and Brooks were appointed.
Mr.. Richardson also offered the following resolu-
ton: