The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-02-01

For 1ho Ml1alaslppl CLARION.
I Common schools, No. 4.
Our distinguished fellow-citlzen, DR.. wad
dell, Is addressing series Of intcrcstinI
communications to the members Of the Leg
ialature Of Mississippi, on the subject Of ID
ucation. especially those branches Of IL tina
bear upon the interests and usefulness Of th
State University OF which he Ia Chancellor
The thoughts and suggestions which he sub
inlta are eminontly wise and importanti bu
the heading Of his first paper awakened tn
hope that DO was about 20 enlarge upon thu
Importance Of Common Schools, and Civ
the Legislature the benefit Of his able coun
sci in the elaboration Of such q system a
would meet the present EFFICIENCY. Perhap
he will crafty us In future contribution
from his ready pen. Meanwhile II win no
be amiss for one occupying loas elevated pc
sition In the same field Of labor, TO add sucl
hints as have been derived from experience
and acquaintance with schools and schoo
systems.
/. First, however, let MS rehearse an old
truth, that II 10 tie political duty Of the Stat
10 Propide system Of public edwoatlon. Prob
ably no ono will controvert, or oven doubt
this proposition; yet the fact exists that ~
the State of Mississippi, there Is not at this
moment, any operative provision Of the kind
and II can, at least, do no harm for us to re-
fresh our minds little In reference to the
nature and extent of our civil obligations. 90
| far as they relate to the matter under review,
In declaring it to be "the political duty Of
the State 10 provide a system OF Public Ed
ucation," II Is meant 70 affirm that by the
very genius and intent Of our republican In
stitutions, as developed in their most I'M
questioned maxims and f0rmularies, we are
authorized TO expect the Legislative power
a.. ,.rc,rtIa f,r fha asIu of tl.a MANILA
The Preamble to the Constitution of the
United States in enumerating the objects Of
that instrument, states broadly among other
items, that 1t is 10 promote the general well
fare" This Is certainly accounting II some
thing more than more protector OF persons,
property and rights IL makesit positive,
benefcent agent In the cause of human pro-
gross and happiness. Accordingly the Uni
ted States Government, whatever Its defects
and crimes, has always been more or less q
patron of public education.
The Virginia "Bill Of Rights" passed in
I779, "as the basis and foundation Of gov
eminent" In that famous State, affirmed,
that government Is, or ought to be, institu-
ted for the common benefit, protection and
security of the people, nation, or community;
of all the various forms and modes Of
government, that is best which is capable
Of producing the greatest degree Of happi-
ness and safety" confidently submit
whether that government would not carry
Off the palm, which, being at once the crea-
ture and the sovereign Of the people, should
adopt the most effectual means for their
moral aud intellectual development and
whether that government would not fall
very far short Of comprising "the greatest
degree of happiness and safety which
should neglect altogether the education Of
its subjects. - N
The Constitution of the State Of New
York has the following article: 1.-THE capt.
tai Of the common school fund; the capital
of the literature fund, and the capital Of the
United States deposit fund, shall be respect
lively preserved inyiolate. The revenue of
said common school fund shall be applied to
ii support of common schools the reven-
ues Of the said literature fund shall be ap-
piled to the support of academies and the
sum of twenty-five Thousand dollars of the
revenues of the United States deposit fund
shall each year be appropriated to, and made
a part of the capital Of the said common
school fund"
Other States have made direct constitu-
bional provision of similar character. The |
Constitution of California provides for the
election of Superintendent of Education,
vt the same time, and in the same manner as |
,ther State officers. The Constitution of
Kentucky since its revision in 1860, makes |
similar provision. Our own State 10 not |
ar behind the others in recognizing this
POLITICAL duty. The l4th section of the 9TH |
irticle of the Constitution of Mississippi |
ays Religion, morality and knowledge, |
icing necessary to good government, the
of liberty, and the happiness
II mankind, schools, and the means Of edu-
alton shall forever be encouraged in this
jtate.n
you have no right" says the property
Older, "to tax my wealth to educate my
eighbor's children" "You are mistaken
avs the Constitution religion, morality,
nd knowledge are necessary to good govern
1enti therefore, schools and the means Of ed
cation shall forever be encouraged in this
tate.' One citizen is not taxed TO educate
hole property Of the State is taxed for its
wn protection-for the perpetuation of good
overnment. The great Thos. Jefferson,
iys: IF nation expects TO be ignorant
nd free, in state Of civilization, it expects
hat never was and never viii be. Tho
dictionaries of every government have pro-
ensities to command at will, the liberty and
roperty of their constituents. There is no
lfe deposit for these but with the people
aemsolvcst nor can they be safe with them
ithout information. When the press is
~ |
thousands Of men in Mississippi cannot read,
I'D thousands more are growing up to man
bod in the same Ignorance; hence al is not
Je. The evils and dangers viii multiply ,
ntinually with every year of neglect. The
lty, therefore, of our honorable Senators
I'd Representatives, assembled in Jackson,
ems, in view Of the above reflections, clear |
ID certain. They cannot, in justice to their
nstituents, neglect altogether tho great
lestion of Common School Education q
But what to do-that is the matter to be q
termined. Every body says something /
ist be done, but no one ventures upon q
question. Dr. Waddell was Interested i
on other points or perhaps he might have
ne so. A meeting of several teachers :
ely assembled in jackson to talk 9
er various questions pertaining to
Dir profession; but they proposed nothing 9,
the way of common school system, al g
ough they were at head quarters of public
Ormation. Possibly no one knows pre- +,
ely what IS best. Our circumstances are o
vel and perplexing. It is probable that n
, school fund, since the war, is like the
y of jackson q Vicksburg-the mere O
ost of its former Self The Governor may
be able at this time to put the members g
the Legislature in possession of the ne S
sary facts to enable them to determine
" much remains. Scattered, squandered, 8
ned to individuals once rich but now
II, or to railroads that are hopelessly in
vent, it will require much labor to collect
fragments and ascertain their value
W can We know what to do before we II
wv what are our meansq Under 3,
impression, without positive in "
nation, that this, to consider Il
Q extent is the state of the case, we have ii
eral suggestions to offer which we will re- IL
We for another communication. Ii
-- b. +. LARRABEE. =
BERDEEN, Miss, Jan, 9th, 1867. aS ci
nf fhO I0OfeIafura til