Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-08
Ca0lCR LlTgRAq'URg.
From the North Carolina Common School journal.
Common Schools.


is governed and hear few recitations A
few hours spent 10 this way will produce
surprising amount af good This visit will
be to teach q and to children an earnest of
7, sd 1teSen u the school and until
the next monthly v1siE ar naTds MrIr--Dsvtf
thinking Of what occurred at the last visit,
of the mistakes made, and the improper
things discovered, and how better appear
ance generally may be exhibited on the
next occasion. Thus will spur be given
to teacher and pupils that will effect an en-
tire revolution in the school, All this can
be done by an exceedingly simple thing
it needs only that the three or two Com
mitteemen 90 once month to the school,
sit down, and spend three hours in seeing
what is going on. If any one doubts this,
there is very easy way of proving it-let
the experiment be tried
LE.-Committeemen, and others
interested in the great educational interest
of the country sometimes complain that
the Common Schools require them to un-
dergo too much trouble.
If such persons will but reflect for a
minute on the principle involved in this
objection to our system, they will readily
see that it is unworthy of them. The very
idea of self-government implies trouble and
responsibility; and all can easily under
stand that there can be no freedom where
there are no public duties thrown on the
masses of the people.
In republic like ours it is the pride and
glory of the people that they constitute the
sovereignty of the State and this theory,
practically carried out, imposes on them
many labors which are unknown to the
slaves of absolute monarchies.
Our citizens have to vote, often, and at
perpetually recurring periods for Presi-
dent Of the United States, for Governors,
Members of Congress, Judges, Members of
Assembly, for Sherifs, Clerks and Consta-
bles they are often called out to hear
speeches and discussions on public matters,
and sometimes have to take part in these
discussions, and to spend time in visiting
their neighbors, and helping to correct er-
roneous opinions and they are continually
taxed for means to circulate papers and
q deSaEaeats defending their cause and sus.
tanning their principles. Much time, mon
ey, feeling and exertion are expended by
all classes of citizens in these things and
yet, does any man, worthy of the name Of
freeman, ever think of complaining of these
acts which enhance his political dignity
and are of the very essence of liberty ?
How insignificant is all this trouble-aye
and the double trouble of militia-drills, Of
County Courts, of County and Town Gov
ernments, of Legislatures and Congresses
compared with the inestimable privilege
and rights, and the glorious independence
prosperity and happiness secured by thi
trouble
The citizens of Russia and Austria anG
France have none of these troubles AYE
they are SO entirely exempt from them tina
if one even utter whisper, in his owl
chimney corner, about public matters, b
is dragged off to Jail, banished from hi
home and kindred or sent without delay O
mercy to his last account. There is n
time lost in voting, no wrangling abou
public matters, no call for time and none
to propagate your opinions-but despoti
power, independent of the people, and des
pising them, thinks, talks and acts fo
them, kindly taking all such trouble O
their hands. But the Government has to }
aoeU paid for taking from the people all til
trouble Of being .freemen: and as they, th
people, therefore, are never to be trouble
with public duties, they must give thei
children to the armies of the State to b
slaughtered on battle-6elds, where the CON
mon people are valued no higher tha
brutes; they must act and talk and live q
tyrant commands they must pursue OF
ly such trades as he allows they must g
only where he permits, and they must pa
two-thirds, three-fourths, or four-ffths
all they can make, by the hardest labor, t
keep up the pomp and military power (
the ruler who thinks for them, while but
small pittance of their earnings is left
their own support and that of their fam
lies. Nay, they are not only not allowe
to think or talk for themselves but the
must even pray as commanded, and wo
ship Almighty God, not according to tt
dictates of their own consciences, but a
J cording to the interests and will of corru]
: men who usurp the place of Deity. Thl
in soul, body and estate they are miserab
: slaves who will not take the trouble
> governing themselves. Does any citize
of this great country desire to purchase e.
emption from trouble at such price +?
, he does he has no business here.
Now our School System is founded {
f the principle that sustains our free COVER
: ment-it is to be administered by the pc
ple It has officers, and every single Of
: Ger has important duties to perform; b
: every body else is also called on for exc
ton, and to refuse it on the ground
e trouble is unworthy of people inheritil
: such glorious privileges Besides, is
; person to be exempt from all trouble
: taking care of his own children? Wou
any christian parent be willing to be entil
ly rid Of such trouble? And if a M
r has no children, has he not still an intere
/. in the improvement, morality and soc
is progress of the community in which
4 lives? Will laws protect his person, pl
At perty and rights among debased and bl
. talized population ? After all, are not t
intelligence and morality of the people |
bulwarks that support every man in
property and rights? And has not