The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-03
COMMON SCHOOLS.

lowing letter from Rev. G. III. Wiley, the State
Superintendent of Common Schools. We entirely
concur with Mr. Wiley in the views which he ad-
vances, and we trust they viii 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 languishing for want of
support. tithe of the moneys sent North for
newspapers and journals of various kinds, would at
once place the North Carolina Journal of Educa-
tion in prosperous condition:
Mr. EDITOR: A recent number of your paper
contained communication from a leading citizen
of the State recommending, in view of the exigen-
cy of the times called session of the Legislature
to make provisions 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
a strong disposition to encourage those who have
so long labored, under great difficulties and trials
domesticate and foster the arts and institutions
by which alone nations become selfreliant inde-
pendent and prosperous. This is my for
now venturing to offer, in my official capacity
some suggestions for the consideration of the pub
lie of my native and beloved State; and while
dislike thus to obtrude myself on the attention of
the people, 1 feel that the best interests of
the State are concerned in the matter.
1t has been recommended that the manufacture
Of gun-powder and of other military defence, be
promoted; and while have objection to make
to this, I must be permitted to say that, if we
would have patriotic and invincible armies, we
must lay the foundations of power in the hearts
and minds of the people.
The war Of independence is not to be success
fully carried on with powder and ball alone; and
in this arduous struggle the first and greatest
my to be overcome is that love of ease, that spirit
AL h
people to depend on foreign sources for their
books and manufactures, for the food of the mind
and the clothing of the body, rather than make
little temporary sacrifice and undergo some self
denial, to furnish facilities for procuring these at
home.
In this connection, nothing is so important as
the first training of the young intellect of the
State; and what is more likely to influence this
than the from which it imbibes its earliest
knowledge? Impressed with these views, l have
labored 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 voice, commended
these efforts it has not manifested its appreciation
in that general cooperative action which alone
can render them entirely successful.
May I not therefore, with propriety, now ap-
peal to the people of North Carolina to rally to
the support of that system of schools in which
nine tenths of their children acquire their first
knowledge? And may | not urge them to give
efficiency to the efforts of those who have toed
and sacrificed to purge these schools of all poison
Gus literature, and to feed the young mind and
heart of the State with food that will nourish
healthful and patriotic spirit? And let me ask,
is it not above all things proper and necessary,
that the teachers of these schools should be under
the influence Of the public sentiment the friends
of education at home, and in position to receive
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
under its auspices journal devoted exclusively to
the interests of general education, edited by per-
sons in our own State designed to furnish field
in which the friends Of schools, of every class,
can labor together for their mutual advantage,
and for the public good, to unite consolidate and
direct to one great end cur educational energies
and resources, to cultivate spirit of fraternity
among all who aiming at the public welfare, to
6iffuse necessary information aud statistics among
the officers and teachers of the Common Schools,
and to accustom the people to rely upon them
selves, and to consult and foster the organs that
breathe the conservative sentiments of home
The Legislature has already recognized the use
full promise of this journal, and it has passed an
act which will enable the Boards of County Super
intendents of Common Schools to place it in the
hands of every District Committee in the State.
The cost of the Journal is only one dollar per
annum, and the Boards of County Superintendents
are authorised to subscribe for copy for each Of
the Districts in their respective Counties.
Would not so small sum be thus well spent in
each District? Ought not the Common School
system to furnish, incidentally at least means of
Improvement to parents, and especially to its own
officers?
This system is the most all peryading secular in
fuence in the State, and whatever regularly cir
culates through all its veins and arteries must in
evtably, or later, radically affect the char
acter of the whole State.
The seed sown in this ground ripens into rcvo-
lutions and is it not time to plant it with those
thoughts, facts and sentiments which, entering in
to the popular mind and heart, ultimately produce
a steady out-growth of selfreliance, energy and
patriotism, infinitely better for the security, the
prosperity, the honor and glory of the State than
"High-raised battlements or laborcd mind,
Thick wall or moated gatc!"
1t does seem to me that the provision made by
the last Legislature is wise one; and feel sure
that many Boards Of County Superintendent so
consider it, and need only to be encouraged by an
expression of public sentiment.
NV purpose now is to call forth through the
press, such expression; and l hope that the Ed
itors of the State, with such view, will publish
this card and utter their sentiments the subject.
The beginning of year will be favorable
time for action by the County Boards, and can
not but believe that the response to this appeal
will be prompt and emphatic, giving practical en-