Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1867-02-02

CQMMUN NG@UOLNs
We are glad to zee that Dr.. Lyles
aHd other legislators appreciate the i'm
rOFtanes Of organising : system Of com.
mon schools in our state, upon some
Darmanent basis Bach and every lover
Of bis country, the right Of the people
and the social interests Of society are
interested In the education Of
the present generation. A vast nun,
Der Of white peFs1ns are scattered
throughout our State entirely destitute
Of even the rudimeDts ofa common Eo.
Rlish Northumberland Of whom
cannot read and write. We must do
our duty in the matter ; the children Of
our State must be raised from a grow.
cling and debased situation to the high
aud honorable position Of intellectual
freemen, if we ever hope to redeem the
fair South land from the gloom and
darkness that now e0shroud it. We
must not fold our arms and look coldly
on the question Of common school edu.
cation, because we are able to educate
our own children. Our mission does
not end here. Those who sprung from
the luins Of our dead heroes must not
be thrown upon the uncertain reliance
of private charity for sn education. The
debt we owe the gallant soldiers, who
in their lives and deaths illustrated the
glory Of Mississippi, must be paid to
their surviving children. 1t should be
our pleasure and our pride, 10 indicate
those who are without adequate means
and need assistance. Our acts and
proceedings are part and parcel Of the
history Of Mississippi. and will be read
by generations that will live and move
when We are Under the violets." Let
us do our whole duty while here.
Four years of desolating, devastating
war have left the State Of Mississippi
far behind in the race of education
The effects Of the war will be felt for
many, Ve'y many years. Persons that
a few years since enjoyed not only all
the ne~cessaries Of life, but many Of the
Injuries are now IN a state of almost
utter restitution. Unable to educate
their children with their fortune gone
and their hopes blasted, they need the
assistance and encouragement Of the
Legislature of the State. Shall it be
denied them? Not q dollar that was
ever appropriated to the cause of edu-
cation has ever been lost. Its effect
was fit somewhere in the vide, wide
world.
Establish a system of common school,
on a permanent basis in Mississippi. and
you have laid the foundation OF Der fn'
ture greatness and prosperity, you will
have drawn aside the dark mantle o.
gloom and dependency and reveal tc
the people Of the State the bright star o.
hope, shining brilliantly in the distance
bidding us be Of good cheer-you will
see dcsolate places made to bloom ant
blossom like the rose your children
educated and refined, will take your
places in the arena of public life. anc
you will look back with pride to tht
hour of your own history when you gave
your vote and influence to the grea'
cause of common schools You nceC
rot fear the result-tho future destiny
Of the great State of Mississippi is ixeC
by that eternal and sublime law tha.
has ever ruled the march of mind Yot
crnnot stay its onward career if yol
wOuld--'t is ever onward aud upward
Ia the words Of the poet
II yet shall tread the star lit paths
BY highest angels trOd,
Aud pauSe--but at the farthest world
10 the universe Of God.
Certain defeat, and scOrn, and shame,
Are his who strives TO bind
The restlesS leapiDg wave of thought,
The free tide Of the wind