Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-11-28
A HOME SPIRIT.

HOME OFlhll.
The remark is oftei, made that North Carolina is
good State to meye from; and it Is likewise iact
attested by every day history that
is tho birthplace of many, very many, Of the most
Trustworthy and laborous men of the Union w ny
Il is that so few who remain in the State reach
national distinction even respectable home as
tinction. whereas there SO many who reach this
distinction in other States who still claim North
Carolina as their nativity, is question OF very
grave interest to u.s. There must OF necessity be
cause. We do not witness similar condition OF
affairs in any other State and the cause therefore,
must be peculiar to our own and if the cause be
removed we are assured the state Of affairs will
change. .-.,-, =. i. .-.,-..zl jir tr
Naturally, North Carolina is not inferior to any
of the States Her position is favorable to success
in whatever tends to make q State prosperous in-'
Auential, and wealthy. Her soil is rich; her eli
mate is varied suiting to health and the production
of fine crops of every staple product When one of
the only thirteen States she led in public spirit,
she stood equal in influence. And il to-day she be
inferior to any State in any point the blame rests
upon her people, and not upon any natural inferi-
orty. ...... ., IL.
That as State of wealth and influence North
Carolina is inferior to some of her sisters is patent
to every observant mind and our object in writing
this article is to investigate the and if posi-
BILE, to suggest the remedy. And we submit as the
most potent cause, the almost total want of prop
er home spirit. Instead Of each man and each COM
munity striving to do all within his power to build
up his neighbour and to create universal wealth,
the opposite spirit seems to prevail, showing some
thing that looks very much like jealousy spirit
which says, Il fear my neighbor will become more
wealthy and influential than myself" Hence every
home enterprise is neglected and our supplies are
ordered from abroad. Thus enterprlsing men are
driven abroad in self Defence and State becomes
the loser. The home spirit is wrong, and it must
be changed, or there is no remedy. :
Now how shall we change this spirit so suicidal
in its policy? There is association the State,
which, if properly managed, will speedily work
revolution We allude to the State Educational
Association. Revolutions in society are slow. 1t
is necessary for all preudices and habits to die out
and new ideas and feelings to be nculcated in the
education Of the youth. Why is the story of the
Boston Tea-Party an act performed in disguise,
celebrated while perhaps not half the citizens of
North Carolina have any idea of transaction at
Wilmington, in this State, more daring than the
Boston act and, like the ever characteristic indie
pcndence and honesty Of North Carolina, perform
ed in open day and without disguise? Why is the
battle Of Lexington on the lips Of every boy in the
Union, and perhaps not one in thousand ever
heard of the battle of Alanancc? These transac-
tons at Boston, at Lexington and at Bunker Hill,
have become part of the common education of
every child in the Union; their earliest reading
reading are Of these great and patriotic events
The same is followed up in the School Geograph-
les; in the Speakers, from which the school boy
learns his declarations; SO that the youths mind
is ever on something that took place somewhere
from home by distant actors.
The State Educational Association has appointed
committee to examine the text books used in onr
schools, looking to the introduction Of uniformity
in our text books Let this committee also look in
to the character Of these text books their suitable
not only in training the mind but also in de-
veloping good spirit of State pride and patriotism.
We are glad to know that very great change has
taken place in our State within few years past,
but we hope it is but the beginning of what is to
follow.
The General Superintendent of Common Schools
has had published North Carolina edition of
Mitchclls Geography, in which the State receives
special attention; he has also had published Sc
RIGS Of rth-Carolina Readers, which to some ex-
tent cover the points we have mentioned above
In the third reader, especially, are brought out
points of history, are given sketches of native
scenery. and arc furnished, also specimens of ma
tive oratory for defamation. Let this initiatory
step be followed up. Introduce into our primers,
our spoilers, readers, and into all text books
admissible, sketches of the States early history of
the patriotic and leading men, Of her scenery and
natural wealth, with their appropriate pictorial H.
lustrations which often speak louder to the chd's
mind, than any language which can be used.
These are the preliminary steps to be taken
steps which will in time inevitably work revolu-
ton. But there is no necessity for waiting this
slow process. Why may we not as people awake
at once from our slumbering, suicidal policy. and
each strive to act well and traly his part? Be not
picayuncish and narrow minded. Each produce as
many of his wants as he can within himself, and
procure every other necessary want from some one
within the State. Even if he pay small per cent it
lD,,,, ho do
of the State concentrated at home facilities will
increase, manufactures multiply, and the demand
will be supplied.
Let the State, them encourage her own schools
and school books, her own manufacturers, her own
men in whatever walk of life or business pursuit,
and our youths will no longer be under the necessi-
ty of looking for new homes in new country, nor
our business of seeking other localities of trade
| for the want of proper encouragement at home
| Greensborough Times.
A New METHOD OF DlssEcTloN.-The great desid-