The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-11-18
For the Lancaster Ledger.
The South Carolina Free School Sys.
tenn

in the highest degree was everywhere the
topic Of general discussion and political
harsngne, both in private talk and public
defamation. But instead of that sereni.
~ OF temper and composure of mind
which should follow such an extraordina-
~ ontburst of popular wrath and indig.
patton, and which had for its Object the
continuation or withdrawal Of the Pub.
lie Funds" for the support Of the State
CoIlege-we are, this day, by no means,
wanting of those, who with objections,
complaints and contentious against the
"Free School System most ardeu,Iy de.
s're' and long to see the unwieIdly ship
OF State, driven furiousIy, headIong down
amongst the shoals and uuirksands, by
gales OF popular excitement and commo-
ton.
Whilst every other State is rising con.
tnuaiiy, from glory to glory, in the Iitera-
ry armament, shall South Carolina grow
weary in her noble exertions for extend.
ing the inesiimsble blessings Of public in.
slrvction 10 all. Shall she alone be suffer
ed to glmmer aud sink below the horizon
never more 10 shine amongst the lumina
rles that compose and adorn the beautiful
cIrciet of the UNION I No, no, bursts
from the lips Of every true patriot and
lover OF his country-while his heart be-
gins to beat AMI his blood begins to DO !,
and conrse more rapidly through his veins,
he saws, tha', rather than she should be
reproached with snorsnSe, Wills, all a.
round Is radiant with light, sincerely
desire she w,ud endure any exlremi,y
OF prv"ti,n, and forego even her whole
treasure, thst it might be exhausted it,
the Intellectual Improvement of her chill.
dreuI' Yet such are the fraities aud
weaknoses Of human nature such are
the conflicting opinions Of mankind that
every s. stem Of Free Schools, devised aud
adopted, has ever been so unfortunate rs
n.vrr TO meet with universal assent and
appreciation.
VIII lc some are diligently employed in
u,mg every means in their power, and
putting forth every energy to 20 the gren-
est possible good for the weiI-bciug an
prosperity of tie State, hy the diffusion
Of general Intelligence, accordin. to e.
tabished principles aud specified resuIa.
tons of the Free Schools and those hinl,
er Institutions Of lear'ing, there are 9th.
era, who are ever to be found I,ursuir Z.
some other course, ard devising snn.o
other means, to effect the same good aud
TO arrive at the same end.
Since it is popular feeling and unanim;.
~ Of consent that gives weight aud ef.
fciency to an Institution OF public ins:ruc.
tion in every State Of the Union, it is
greatly 10 be regretted that the South
Carolina Free School Sys,em-so long
established, and so useful in its practical
operatlons-sh have 10 encounter %
many trivial objections, and meet with SO
many unnecessary distractions in its way
rs tend manly 10 cripple its efforts and
weaken its powers, as it rises higher up
ward and moves boldly onward in it.
mission Of LIFE, L,cur AND LIBERTY
showing its blessings upon all around
and even upon those, who long for death
warrant to be sighed. sealed and deliver
ed for its destruction.
When an Institution OF learning, in
its "practical operations" is doing well
my motto is--let well enough alone =
Lest an happily, 10 An earnest endeavor to
make some improvement, when it is &C.
tual!y 10 the highest state Of improvement,
Of which it is capable. we may fnd ia
our sad experience, when il is too late
that we have pulled down aud destroyed
what was our oVer-much Jealous intention
to build up and establish. Which | will
here attempt to illustrate by giving an
anecdote, that was told Of an Indian =
he was once requested by physician
to take medicine in order that il might
improve bis health and constitution but
who ip refusing to receive it from his
learned practitioner, assigned this as bis
reason "Me am now weli me take
medicine TO make me better me take
sick, and me will die" However, | am
not opposed 10 all changes, or to any
change, when such change, or changes
may tend to our advantage. But surely
We have made small progress in the arts
aud sciences, and have studied History to
A;;lc advantage; anlc=s We have learned
this important lesson That when any
institutions or system Of laws are doing
well, we should, FIRST, have discoyered
their weakness or imperfections, so as lo
be able 10 have Them stranothened mr. ra