Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-01-04
NO. 10.


rial resources and there is now strong
disposition to encourage those who have
so long labored, under great difficulties
and trials, to domesticate aud foster the
arts and institutions by which alone ma
tions become selfreliant, Independent and
prosperous. This is my reason for now
venturing to offer, in my official capacity,
some suggestions for the consideration of
the public of my native and beloved State;
and while dislike thRs to obtrude myself
on the attention oftfe people, feel snre
that the best, interests. of the State are
concerned in the matter
1t has been recommended that the man
ufacture gun,powder, 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 invincibie armies,
We must lay 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 ball
alone and in this arduous struggle the
first ana greatest enemy TO be overcome
is that love of ease, that spirit of incidence
and mistaken economy which inclines a
people to depend on foreign sources for
their books and their manufactures, for
the food of the mind and the clothing of
the body, rather than make little tempo
rary sacrifice and undergo some self-denial,
to furnish facilities for procuring these at
home.
In this connection, nothing is 50 impoF-
tant as the first training of the young in
tellect of the State and what is more
likely to influence this than the sources
from which it inbibes It's earliest knowl-
edge Impressed with these views, have
long labored to introduce into our schools
a series of books designed to develop and
foster a love of home, and spirit of inde-
| pendence and domestic enterprise /; and
while the public, speaking through pa
triotic press, has with one voice, commen-
ded these efforts, it has not manifested IFS
appreciation in that general co-operativeac-
tion which alone can render them entirely
successful.
May not, therefore, with propriety, now
appeal to the people of North Carolina to
rally to the support Vi that system of schools
in which nine-tenths of their children ac-
quire their first knowledge? And may 1
not urge them to give efficiency to the eff
forts of those who have toied and sacrificed
to purge these schools of all poisonous liter
ature, and to feed the young mind and
ia=---.s u Glie lota6e ~sth food VIII nouT-
lsh healthful and patriotic spirit? And
let me ask, is 1t not above all things proper
and necessary, that the teachers of these
f schools should be under the influence of
the public sentiment of the friends of edu-
cation at hnm,I an1 in yoe:4,o, -
f ceive impressions from those capable of ad-
, vising in their own State?
J, One object of the State Educational As
sociation is to effect this desirable end +;
: and there is issued under its auspices Jour
nal devoted exclusively to the interests of
general education, edited by persons in our
$ own State, designed to furnish a field in
!: which the friends of our schools, of every
class, can labor together for their own mu-
tnal advantage, and for the public good, to
J, unite, consolidate and direct to one great
Q end our educational energies and resources,
e to cultivate spirit of fraternity among all
: who are aiming at the public welfare, to
!. dIffnse necessary information and statistics
i among the officers and teachers Of the Com
\ mon Schools, and to aecustom the people
to rely more upon themselves, and to con
e suit and foster the organs that breathe the
r conservative sentiments of home.
# The Legislature has already recognized
. the useful promise of this journal, and it
r has passed an act which will enable the
! Boards of County Superintendents of Com
mon Schools to place it in the hands ot
r. every District Committee in the State.
e The cost of the journal is only one dol
K lar per annum, and the Boards of County
). Superintendents are authorized 10 subscribe
e for a copy for each of the Districts in thei
h respective Counties.
If Would not so small a sum be thus wei
o spent IN each district /! Ought not til
A. Common School system to furnish, Incl
r dentally at least, a means of improvement
O. to parents, and especially to its own officers
Ie This system is the most all pervadinl
o secular influence in. the State, and what
% ever regularly circulates through all it
veins and arteries, must inevitably, soouel
-e or later, radically affect the character O
rs the whole State.
" The seed sown in this ground ripens int
90 revolutions !; and is it not time TO plant
G. with those thoughts, facts and sentiment
rs which, entering into the popular mind AM
ne HCalte ultiuidLeIs pIOuuCe SsCduJ Out
growth Of self-reIiance, energy and patriot
ism, infinitely better for the security, tn
prosperity, the honor and glory ofthe Stat
than
/" Highra battlements or labored mound,
to Thick wall, raoated gate'"
1T 1t does seem to me that the provision
tie made by the last Legislature is a wise one
We and feel sure that many Boardsof Count
be Superinsendents so consider it,, and neeC
lst only to be encouraged By an expression O
DIS public sentiment.
sh Ny purpose now is to call forth, througl
ar the press, such expression; and | hop,
u that the Editors Of the State, with such
h view, will publish this card, and utter thei
he sentiments OF the subject.
nd The beginning Of a new year will be
ce favorable time for action by the Count,
u Boards, anu cannot but believe that thu
response to this appeal viii be prompt anC
ur emphatic, giving practical encouragement
a to those who have hoped against hope, an
d. labored for weary years to build up nev
es, and more prosperous, energetic and self-re
- l,,,r, Cfo3a -, i. "a