Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-11-24

| take great pleasure in Informing you that
the educational Interests of the country have
not been overlooked since the commence
ment of my administration Owing to the
great drain upon the Treasury during the
first year of. the war, the Literary Board
deemed it advisable to make only half the
usual semi-annual distribution Of the com
mon school fund for the fall of 1851, and
none at all for the spring Ct 1862. Feeling
that this pressure had passed away, and that
the matter was one of great importance to
our peop,e, the Board, at It's recent meeting,
ordered the usual distribution to be made,
increased by ten thousand dollars from the
sum due for the back distribution, and re-
S lived to add that amount each spring aid
fall, until the whole shall have been appro-
priated. There has been one disposition
manifested to take this funl for war purpo-
ses. Should there really exist a elious de-
sign on the part Of any one to do this, which
[ hardly think probable, | earnestly hope you
will promptly defeat it. This small sum
could add but little to the vast amount
required to conduct the war, and its abstrxc-
ton would be an absolute robbery of the
poor children of the Safe. On the contra
~. it should be your duty to carefully pre-
serve and if possible increase this fund, make
provision for ia regular d 6:r;5ution, and do
everything in your power TO educate. the riS-
ing youth of the country. While war is des.
olating oar coast and the tide of revolution
is fcwing all around US, let the young chill
dren of the State be still assembled il their
log houses and primitive academies, in the
mountains and on the plains, and let their
first lesson be to read Of our great struggle
for civil and religious liberty -ofthe n,frpot-
ism and sacrifices of our people, ani the g'o-
-rious bravery of their fathers AMI brothers
upon the bloodstained fields of the South
It is of the very highest i'm poI tance that the
war should not carry away everything useful
and civilized in the land, and cause our chill
dren to grow up in ignorance and crime. No
one has been more impressed with the i'm :
portance of this matter than the able and
worthy superintendent of common schools,
who has labored faithfully and diligently in
behalf of his little charges, and has suf-
fered no excitement or misfortune 10 turn
him from the path Of duty. t. him, in a
great measure, is due the keeping alive of
the interests of the people in the we'll doing
OF the schools during these times of trouble.
Our time honored old University, though
thinned, as have been our mae schools eve
: rywhere by the patriotism of the boys who
have rushed to i'll up our armies, is sill in
full operation, the President and Faculty
= having bravely resolved to hold their posi-
r ton As long as they have a squad to muster.
] The female schools of the State are general
ly as tourishing as in times Of peace.
Both of the Asylums In this city arc pros
perlng under the present efficient manage
S ment-a great charity to our people and a
2 credit 10 the State.
Of our internal improvement system. |
= deem 1t unnecessary to make any mention.
Since my introduction to Office, [ have re-
S ceived no official reports or information as to
the condition or wants of any of the public
works requiring legislative action. Should
e any thing of this nature be brought to my
q attention, shall lay it before you in Especial
is message.
q In addition tn the matters herein brought
n to your attention, there are several Of an i'm
I'd pc tant nature about which it is not deemed
n prudentto speak publicly, but which will take
lie pleasure in explaining, or discussing verbally
le with you when desired. Many others | have
5 doubtless oyerlooked-for which. as we'll as
ar for the hasty preparation and disconnected
s. form OF this instrument, | beg that my recent
to Inauguration into Office, and the many heavy
ne drafts upon my time, may be considered an
On apology.
at In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me to urge
of npon you the vital Importance Of bringing
t forth all the powers aldresources of the State
Re for the common defence of our country AMI
Id our cause. The two great dangers we have
ed to meet will be found connected with ou1
ps currency and supplies for our army. Mer
IL enough to protect Us md drive back the in
On vader, we can always get, if we can ~properl,
", clothe and feed them. Let us do this anC
g preserve our paper lr'm depreciation and al
I'D will be well. In our intercourse with tn,
u authorities of our young Confederacy, havin;
els demanded firmly the rights which are du
is our State, let US yell them no grudginl
- - ILL
cir general veal, sustain and strcnxthen then
Of with our whole hearts. And in all our off
70 cial acts let US remember, that it is the spirit
Jay Of the people which tyrants cannot subdu,
to, On this depeads all. So long as they con
at tlnue harmonious, willing, self-sacriGcin,
asst the united armies of this contincn may b
'ur hurled against Us in vain; with sach a couI
me try and such a people We might set them
the defiance. Our heroic soldiers, shivering
os- their rags and FLASHING with their make
md feet through the S lows, have already, eve
our through the chronicles Of our foes, excl
We the wondering adnire - of the world, .
great Generals and or.I people beyond
we distant waters of the sea stand aghast vi
our establishment at the feats OF f. eemen stru
,ro- Cling for their rights. Lat US le1ra of.he1
try and by zeal and discretion displayed for Il
general good, show to the world that we Al
ing worthy to preside over these gallant ar
rits patriotic men.
.ino Many of the matters to which | l.ve ca
uch ed your attention, if done at all, require
the be done promptly. This is especially t
lied case in regard to the raising of troops
ron State defense, and to laying an embargo L
IT i on the neceSSaries of life referred to.