Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-12-03

letter from the Secretary Of the Treasury tt
the Lighthouse Board. and also copy of the
opinion Of the Attorney General of the United
States, in relation to the provisions of an act
of the Legislature of South Carolina granting
sites for Lighthouses. On reference to these
communications, 1t will be seen that the Gen
eral Government declines to proceed, on the
ground Z. that the consent given by South Caro-
lima to the purchase is coupled with the condl-
ton that South Carolina retains The jurisdiction.
Further legislation is asked. think when the
Southern States surrendered to tho General
Government the power to regulate commerce
they committed Il great blunder. but that is nc
longer debateable question. If the necessities
of commerce require the erection Of the pro.
posed Lighthouse, can see no good reason
for declining to make the cession upon the same
terms ~ other States have done. Whenever the
people of South Carolina determine to dissolve
their connection with the General Government
the possession of few Light-H Houses will in
terpose but feeble barriers to the execution Of
such purpose.
Accompanying this message will be found a
report of Mr.. Oscar NJ. Leiber, appointed, under
Joint resolution of the last Legislature, Geo
logical. Neurological, and Agricultural Surveyor
culture and Internal improvements of the last
General Assembly unanimously selected Mr.
Leiber for the situation, and did not hesitate
to confirm the appointment ! have not had
time 10 examine bis report, and therefore can
express no opinion of its merits
lay before you letter addressed 10 me by
DR.. Parker, Superintendent of the Lunatic Asy.
lun, in relation to the condition and wants OF
-,
opinions to great weight. He is decidedly op-
posed to the policy of removing the institution
from its present location. Additional accommo-
dation is Indispensable to enable the Institution
to fulfil the humane end Of its establishment.
| am sure that no appeal is necessary, to secure
for it the full measure of your bounty.
also lay before youa report of the Military
Commission, raised in compliance with resoiu-
ton Of the last Legislature. The resolution
required me TO appoint ten commissioners to
consider the militia and patrol law Of the State,
and to recommend such alteration of the same
as they might deem advisable. Nine Of the
commissioners appointed discharged the duty
assigned them-the tenth was unavoidably ab-
sent. They have unanimously agreed on re-
port, urging tho importance of preserving the
system as it now stands and beg leave re-
spectfnly to add my concurrence in the views
which brought them 10 their conclusion.
The last Legislature authorized the Board Of
Commissioners for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind,
of which am chairman ex-officio, to purchase
for tho State lhe establishment Of Mr.. y. ?.
Walker, at Cedar Springs, and 10 make due ar
rargemsEts therein for the unfortunate inmates.
am happy to inform You that the purchase has
been completed on terms which are satisfactory
tu The whole Board. and that such further ar
rangemcn;s as are required by this change will
be- duly submitted for your consideration in n
report from the Board, more in detail.
The Trustees Of the South Carolina College,
at their annual meeting in December last, elect
I'd Professor C. +. McCay, President of the III.
s,ilution. Hi, ability and altainmeuts are con-
Sidcred by those who know him to be Of lfie
highest order; and when the prejudces which
he encountered at the very threshold of his ad-
miuisra;on lave been disprlled Gf they have
not already bepr) there will be but one opinion
as 10 his fitness for The position to which he
Was cal!ed BY Il very decided majority Of The
Board, ard That. 100, without the slightest So
Iicila,ion on hi, urt. Mr. Rivers, Of Charles
ton, whose life has been successfully devoIed t.
classical pursuits, has been elected Professor "f
Greek Literature, in place Of Dr.. Henry, deceas-
ed and Dr.. LeConte, Of Georgia, Il gentleman
eff well established scientific aitaumcns, has
been elected Professor of Natural and AIerhani-
ca Philosophy. Both these appointments,
believe, are admitted on all hands to have been
judirious ard most fortunate for the institution.
In the death of Dr.. Henry, the College
mourns tho departure of an old, able, and faith
fu professor. He was a ripe scholar-a man
full Of Icarning-who, without ostentation. de-
lighted in throwing open the abundant store
house Of his knowledge, and inviting the stu.
dent to partake freely Of its riches. 1t will he
long before it will have the good fortune 10
rejoice in his equal.
The conduct of the students is reported TO
me to be quiet and orderly. The Faculty are
assduous in their several departments, and the
future of the institution is as encouraging rs
at any previous period of its existence. Though
was not educated at the College, Lhavc seen
and realized itl benefits TO the Stale. socially.
morally and politically. Ii is rare, indeed, that
its graduates have failed in after life, by cxam-
pie and conduct, to vindica!e the policy which
nourishes and sustains it. In my judgment, it
has done more for the State than all her other
institutions put together. 1t is greatly 10 be
regretted that there is disposition 10 cripple
that it is the rich mans college, is the cry Of the
tv of its graduates are the sons of fathers who
were not ube to educate themselves, and no
young man has ever had its doors closed upon
him because Of his poverty.
1t is urged, through entire mscnnccp'ion,
that it is time to make it self-susl:ining insti
tuition, and the example of various colleges is
held up for our imitation Take away from them
their various endowments. and there is not.
strictly speaking, = set-sus,ainiug college in the
Union. While it is the duty of The State. "a
far as lies in her power to instruct The destitute.
it is no less impera,ivelv her duty 10 provide for
those who are SbIe 10 pay for it, The very high.
est standard Of education. As taxpayer, |
prolcs' against The Withholding from The South
Carolina College whatever proportion Of my
annual taxes goes to its support, if am q, lhe
same time to be taxed for the support of free
schools. Ignorance among the masses is incom-
patiLIe with the true idea Of republican govern
mcnt, but without superior intelligence TO con-
troll aud direct it, the education which contents
itself with the mere ability TO read and write.
will prove q curse rather than blessing.
The Military Academies continue unohtru.
sively, but not the less satisfactorily, TO pursue
their even tenor Of usefulness and Success. No
equal amount of the public expenditure yields
better return. Tile discipline here is severe, the
mental training trying in the extreme, but lhc
cadet who survives The lest. finds himself armrd
for the labor of life before him. earnestly
commend the College and these Academies TO
your fostering care. Both nre developing the
intellect and adding 10 tile strength Of the State,
and both merit your conntenance ard support.