Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-11-24
. A HOME SPIRIT

The remark is often made that North Carolina IS
good State to move from; and Il is likewise fact
attested byeyery day history, that North Carolina
is the birthplace of many, very many, of the most
trustworthy and laborious men of the Union. Why
it is that SO few who remain in the State reach
national distinction or even respectable home dis
tnction whereas there are so many who reach this
distinction in other States who still claim North
Carolina as their nativity, is q question of very
grave interest to US. 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.
Naturally, North Carolina is not inferior to any
of the States Her position is favorable to success
in whatever tends to make State prosperous in
auential and wealthy. Her soil is rich her eli
mate is varied, suting 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 if day she be
inferior to any State in any point, the blame rests
upon her people, and not upon any natural nferi-
orty
That as a State of wealth and influence North
Carolina is inferior to OF her sisters is patent
to every obscrvant 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 neighbor, and to create universal wealth,
the opposite spirit seems to prevail showing some
thing that looks very much like jealouSy--a spirit
which says, 81 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 enterprISing 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 one association IN 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 prcudicns and habits to die out,
and new ideas and feelings to be inculcated in the
education of the youth. Why is the story of the
Boston Tca-Party, act performed in disguise,
celebrated while perhaps not halt 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 Alamance? 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 roalng
lessons, when perhaps there is more spelling than
reading, 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 something that took place somewhere
from home, by distant actors
Tie State Educational Association has appointed
a committee to examine the text books used in onr
schools, looking to the introduction of uniformity
in text books. Let this committee also look in
to the character of these text books their suitable
ness not only in training the mind but also in de-
veloping good spirit of State pride and patriotism.
We are glad to know that a very great change has
taken place in 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
Mitchels Geography, in which the State receives
special attention he has also had published Sc
rics OF North Carolina Readers which to some ex-
tent cover the points We have mentioned above
In the third reader, especially, brought out
points Of history, given sketches Of native
scenery, and are furnished, also, specimens of ma
tive ora;ory for defamation. Let this initiatory
step be followed up. Introduce into our primers,
our sPellers our 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 il
Illustrations, which often speak louder to the chds
mInd than any language which can be used.
These are the preliminary steps to he taken
steps which will in time inevitably work revolu-
ton. But there is necessity for waiting this
slow process. Why may we not people awake
at from our Slumbering, suicidal policy, and
each to act well and truly his part? BE not
picayuneish 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
will not long he necessary; for the trade
Of the State concentrated at home, facilities will
increase, manufactures multiply, and the demand
will be supplied.
Let the State, then, encourage her own schools
and school books her own manufacturers, her own
men in whatever walk of life business pursuit,
and youths will no longer be under the necessi
ty Of looking for new homes in country,
our business men of seeking other localities of trade
for the want of proper encouragement at home
GreeHSJOrOugh Times.