The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-12-03

ty rs to their execution Of the laws Of the
College. Our young men are commended
to the sentiment, well expressed elsewhere
by an able writer, himself an aumnus of
the College, "Obodiencc to law and to lawful
authority is honor"
ARSENAL AND CITADEL ACADEMIES.
beg leave to refer you to the Report Of
the Board of Visitors of the State Military
Academies, wish are llourishing us ever
Their order and discipline are excmpary--
The Graduating Class of this year, consist,
ing of twenty, turns out to society in its va
rious callings, young men who, as hereto
fore, by their capabilty and willingness to
be useful, will do credit to their training,
and to the State whose patronage they
have shared
FREE SCHOOLS. ~
The Free Schools are doing moro good
than they have been allowed credit for
Wherever educated gentlemen of the coun-
try have generously interested themselves in
the subject, and with commendablc zeal
and public spirit have devoted portion of
their energies to the success of the schools.
the law has operated well. AS n basis for
practical system, regarding the character
OF our population and the geographical pc
culi'rtics of the State, have not been able
to arrange one more satisfactory. Let its pro-
visions, with some amendment, be faithfully
and jndiciously executed, with consideration
for those chiefly interested, and it will dis.
cover itself to our community system at
once available, useful and creditaLIe, inv-
ting and rewar'lng the services Of qualified
teachers, n supply of whom cannot be too
eariy provided for. The excellent public
school Which has been organized in Char.
lesion 10y the commissioners of st. Philips
and st. Michacls, will very soon furnish a
number OF young persons, who, it may lie
hoped, will do something towards introdu-
cng into other portions Of the State, the
benefits Of the improved system under which
they have been trained. recommend that
provision bc made for the establishment,
without delay, Of one or more Normal
Schools, at which the promising pupils
from the schools below may be further cdu-
Gated for the purpose, and trained to the
art Of teaching. These are admirable insti
tutions, and if well managed, cannot fail to
send forth the young people Of the State in
to the business of life as witnesses Of their
usefulness. They are eminently entitled to
the notice af the benevolent and public spi.
rited citizens Of wealth, who may desire to
render useful to their kind, a portion Of the
surplus means with which they have been
blessed. The first Normal School in Amc-
RIGA was founded on All offering of 5000,
for the purpose, by Mr.. Dwight, wealthy
citizen of Massachusetts, to which the State
added 10000, and the thing was soon accom-
rishcd l have seen that school in success.
fu' operation, and freely give you my belief
that a State which prctcnds to sustain a gen.
cral system of public education should not
remain a year without school of the kind
for the regular supply Of competent and ac-
customed teachers. In order to add effect
to the system by furnishing the means for
sc'f-regulation, and by which may be impair.
ted to it equal usefulness in every portion
of the State, recommend that the several
Boards of Commissioners of Free Schools
be authorized by law to raise, by assessment
on the amount Of general taxes in their re-
spective Election Districts, q sum of money
equal to that appropriated by the State out
Of the public treasury, TO be expended and
accounted for in like manner. Whenever
the funds can be raised for the purpose,
think it would contribute to the welfare Of
the State to establish also Marine School
at the port of Charleston.
ASYLUM FOR TIE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE
BLIND.
transmit the Report of the Principal of
the Asylum for deaf mutes and the blind
The public works there are in progress, and
am happy to have it in my power, by aid
ing the expenditure Of the public money, to
contribute somewhat to the liberal establish
ment of this high charity. Among the
blind, as well as the deaf and dumb, trades
are beginning to occupy the minds and the
hands of pupils, thus assuring them of their
ability to be helpful, and cultivating Whole.
some self respect. and cheerful industry
Soon will grow up a colony of pupils on the
lands of the State, and q society which will
be independent and thriving, by their vari.
ous trades and occupations. The Commis-
Esioners will see to it's regulation in due
time. These good citizens have performed
so well the service of the State in this re.
gard-so consistent and disinterested have
been their ]abors-so judicious their arrange.
ments for tho benefit Of their charge, that I
have great satisfaction in coop Grating with
them ex,ofticio. recommend that they be
invited to embrace within the sphere Of their
supervision the public education under tie
Lenn GnI, ~ L.. Al. n