Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-21
Common Schools.

Common Schools. I.s
We cannot too strongly commend to our readers
Of all parties the following letter from Rev. G. H.
Wiley, the State Superintendent Common Schools.
We entirely concur with Mr.. Wiley in the views
which he advances, and we trust they will have
good effect on the minds of our people. Now is the
time to Danish poisonous Northern literature from
our schools now is the time to aid the Educational
State Journal which is langushing for want Of
support A 1.-THE of the moneys sent North for
newspapers and journals of various kinds, would at
once place the North Carolina Journal of Education
in a prosperous condition.
For the Standard.
Mr. EDITOR: A recent number of your paper con-
tanned communication from leading citizen of the
State, recommending view of the exigency of the
times a called session of the Legislature to make
provision for the safety of the people, and for the
promotion of domestic manufactures.
Late events have opened the eyes Of the people of
the South to the necessity of developing their own
moral and material resources; and there is now
strong disposition to encourage those who have so
long labored, under great difficulties and trials, to
dOmescate and foster the arts and institutions by
which alone nations become selfreliant independent
and prosperous. This is my reason for now ven
turingto offer, in my official capacity some sugges-
tons for the consideration of the public of my native
and beloved State; and while dislike thus to OBJ
trude myself on the attention of the people, I feel
sure that the best interests Of the State are con-
cerned in the matter
1t has been recommended that the manufacture of
gun-powdcr. and of other means of military defence
be promoted and while have no objection to make
to this, must be permitted to say that if we would
have patriotic and invincible armies, we must Law
the foundations of our power in the hearts and minds
Of the people
The war of independence is not to be successfully
carried on with powder and hall alone; and in this
arduous struggle the first and greatest enemy to be
overcome is that love Of ease that spirit of Incidence
and mistaken economy which inclines people to
depend foreign sources for their books and their
manufactures, for the food of the mind and the
clothing of the body. rather than make little tenn
porary sacrifice and undergo some selfdenial, to
furnish facilities for procuring these at home.
In this connection, nothing is so important the
first training of the young intellect of the State;
and what is more likely to influence this than the
sources from which it imbibes its earliest knowledge?
Impressed with these views. have long !abored to
introduce into schools series of books designed
to develop and foster love of home and spirit Of
| INDEPENDENCE and domestic enterprise and while
the public, speaking through patriotic press has,
with one voice. commended these efforts, it has not
manifested its appreciation in that general coopera-
1--WE aCtOn winch alOne can render them entlre,V
| successful.
May not therefore, with propriety, now appeal
to the people of NorthCaroina to rally to the sup
port Of that system of schools in which -tenths
of their children acquire their first knowledge9 And
may not urge them to give efficiency to the efforts
| of those who have toiled and sacrificed to purge
these schools of all poisonous literature and to feed
the young mind and heart of the State with food
that will nourish healthfn and patriotic spirit p
AnH1 Of &c ifvrf OH
necessary that the teachers of these schools should
he under the influence of the public sentiment of the
friends of education at home and in position to re-
ceive impressions from those capable of advising in
their own State?
One object of the State Educational Association is
to effect this desirable end; and there is issued un
der its auspices journal devoted exclusively to the
interests of general education edited by persons in
our own State, designed TO furnish field in which
the friends of schools, of every Glass; can labor
together for their mutual advantage and for the
public good, to uEite consolidate and direct to one
great end our educational energies and resources
cultivate spirit of fraternity among all who are
aiming at the public welfare to difse necessary in
formation and statistics among the officers and
teachers of the Common Schools, and to accuston
the people to rely more upon themselves and tc
consult and foster the organs that breathe the con
servatvc sentiments of home
The Legislature has already recognized the usefil
promise of this journal, and it has passed an &C
which will enable the Boards of County Superin
tendents of Common Schools to place it in the hand
of every District Committee in the State.
The cost of the Journal is only one dollar per an
num- and the Boards of County Superintendent ar
authorized to subscribe for copy for each of tn
Districts in their respective Counties
Would not so small sum be thus we'll spent il
each district? Ought not the Common School sys
tenn to furnish, incidentally at least a means of i'm
provemen to parents, and especially to its own Of
fcerss
This system is the most all-pervadng secular in
1uen"e in the State, and whatever regularly circu
lateS through all its veins and arteries must newt
ably later radically affect the character
the whole State.
The seed sown in this ground ripens into revou
tons; and is it not time to plant it with thos
thoughts, facts and sentiments which, entering int
the popular nina and heart, ultimately produce
steady outgrowth of sclfreliance, energy and ratr
otsm, infinitely better for the security the prosper
ity the honor and glory of the State than
"Hgh-raised battlements or labored mound,
. Thick wall or moated gate?"
| 1t does seem to me that the provision made b
the last Legislature is a wise one; and feel sur
, that many Boards of County Superintendent S
t consider it, and need only to he encouraged by a
| expression of public sentiment.
My purpose is to call forth, through the press
SUCH all eApTeSsiOn, anu nope tlaL the EdltOrs
the State, with such view, will publish this cart
= and utter their sentiments on the subject.
t The beginning of year will be favorabl
time for action by the County Boards, and cannc
4 but believe that the response to this appeal will
(; prompt and emphatic giving practical encourage
t ment to these who have hoped against hope, an
labored for weary years to build up a new and MOI
prosperous; energetic and selfrelying State in til
: hearts and minds of its people.
I G. H. WILEY,
y Sup. Com. Schools Of N. G..
y Dec. 9Th, 1859.