The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-08
Tho Frne School System.

The Free SchOOl Sys lelI4.
Among the many blessings "nlch arc
,,rom;scd in the train Of Republican SUI
nremacy, when the Ancient Dominion
shall be delivered from the old fogies who
have ruled it 50 long, is that of system
Of universal education. Every child Of
the State is to be taught at least to read
and write, and to have the opportunity OF
acquiring q grade of education as much
higher than that as his talents and indus
try will allow. In short, the free schools
of Massachusetts, and other New England
States are to be brought into full opera
ton in Virginia.
This is all very beautiful in theory, for
il must be acknowledged that in general
intellectual culture Virginia falls behind
Massachusetts,, while in higher walk of
learning, and especially the science of 60
vernment, Virginia is vastly her superior.
But it may well be doubted whether
"progrcss" isalways Improvement. Where
the intellectual and moral trnits arc dcvc-
lopcd in equal proportions among any class
or races, such class or race furnishes the
highest type of human character. But they
are not necessarily dependent on each
other. Some Of the best men in every
community arc comparatively ignorant,
while some of the worst are highly cdu-
Gated. So far, therefore, as mental cul-
ture is fostcrcd at the expense or to the
neglect Of the moral, the effects cannot
but be dcmoralzng to social order.
There is nothing new in this train Of re-
mark, for the subject has long occupied
The attention Of serious and rejecting men;
but we have seldom seen it discussed in
such a striking manner as in q pamphlet
entitled "Crme and Punishment" by DR..
BLANCHARD FosGArE, formerly physicianto
the New York State prison at Auburn.
This little work of fifty or sixty pages
contains q mass of facts and information
which cannot but be useful to every en-
lightened Christian and statesman. 1t IS
the result Of long experience and obser-
walton, and is no less applicable to this
than to higher latitude.
To give even brief synopsis of the
work would require too much space. A
passing reference, however, to few OF the
statements Of the author will afford food
for reflection, especially in view of the
new era on which our country is entering
and in consideration Of the lately enfran
chised and very numerous class which |:
to receive the benefits of popular instruc
ton.
That crimo has increased during these
late years beyond all proportion to the in
crease of population seems to be admitted
on all hands. This alarming fact IS as
cribed by DR.. FosGATE to various causes
but chiefly the following: 1. The cheal
literature Of tho day, spread broadcas
over the land, and ministering to depravet
Sensuality. 2. The periodical issue o
those gorgeous plates of fashion, stimula
ting desire for dress to crafty which
health, wealth, and virtue arc too offer
sacrificed. 8. Strikes Of labor on the one
hand, and combinations of capital on the
other, making the commission of crime
almost a necessary instrument Of sclfpro
scrvation to the INDECENT. 4. The admins.
tration of oaths innumerable in almost
every business transaction of private life,
we'll nigh absorbing Omniscience in the
person of the revenue official. S. Secu-
larizing the pulpit, making earthly schemes
instead of heavenly aspirations the objects
of its mission. G. Uprooting by physical
1orce institutions moro ancient than his
tory and anterior to records of holy Writ,
thus changing the status of great popula-
tions, and involving crimes consequent on
social disintegration. 7. And the free
school-a system based on appropriating
the gains of one citizen to the benefit of
another on the questionable plea of public
utility, rendering right in property less So
cred, and imparting facility to the
commission Of crime that no moral train.
ing Will be likely soon to eradicate.
The moral sense of the people has been
shocked in these late years by the &C
counts published Of the prevalence of q
certain crime at the North. 1t was but q
short time since that Mr.. GREELEY wrote
powerful article on the subject, which
was extensively copied, and attracted ge-
neral attention. The statement made by
Dr. FosGATE is SO astounding that it is
given in his own words:
I'm view of the manifest decadence of
s,!ai piety and the increasing prevalence
y, crime, in conjunction with the promis-
ouous popular education pursued in this
ttSS thu iay, = question may be drawn from
Ro o Important work of DR.. II. R. Slower. of
. nvssun, the magnitude Of which NAV be
sum summed up in the warning Of Granville Il.
tnat as sure as there is in anv nation =
hidden tampering with foeta, lisa s so 0Mr .
will tho chastisement Of the Almiah t fall Sa,I
on that nation A''''