The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-06-01
Fer. tie Aplsreon hhlGgcnccr.
The Common School System.

having called meeting of the lately ap-
pointed School Trustees of the County, to be
held at Anderson G. Il. on The 10Th of June
next, We presume the subject of assessing the
real and personal in each School
District of the County, for the purpose of con-
tinuing the public schools, viii be brought up
for discussion.
We are aware that it is generally argued that :
the assessing of property for school purposes,
mentioned In the amended School Act, is ap-
plicable only to the county of Charleston. and
therefore we are under no legal obligation to
pay any tax for any such purpose. Now, sir,
we take the position that whatever might
have been the construction intended by the
enactors of this law, there is one thing
clear to our mind, that there is nothing that
prohibits an assessment being made for school
purposes; and. that although We as county;
may not be legally bound, yet we are under
moral obligations, to ourselves, our children,
and our countryl And permit us to remark,
in this connection, that we regard this portion
Of the amended School Act as being one
move in the right direction towards building
up for the State Of South Carolina an efficient
Common School System, which were it carried
into operation by the people, as it might and
should be, would place the school fund of each
county of the State under the immediate con.
troll of its OWN School Commissioner and Truse
tees, precluding at once and forever the possi-
biity of its finding its way to the capital ofthe
State, there to be held at pleasure by Stats
officials. -
But We are confronted at this point with
"the people are already taxed beyond the point
&c 10;
the brazen efrontery to take up your pen in
advocacy of an increase of taxes @' We admit
that we are burdensomely taxed but the edl-
cation of our children and of the masses can
not possibly be obtained without money from
some source We will have to pay for it di-
rectly out of our own pockets or submit to
tax in order to raise Common School Fund!
But sir, We are apprised that there are in our
State not few who are opposed7e the system
Of Common Schools because of the universality
of its provisions. Others are opposed from
considerations which we will not now enumerate.
Suffice it to say that the two most formidable
enemies with whom the Common School Sys-
tenn has to contend in South Carolina, are
purse-proud ignorance and aristocratic exclu-
siYeness. A very grace Justice of the Peace
once remarked to US that he regarded the old
Poor School law, to use his own classic language,
conc of the meanest.laws out" When we in
terrogated, Why so, Squire? he replied, be-
cause it affords poor children, the most of whom
are 5astqrds, as good chance to obtain an
education az mine hacei Now, sir, does not
this show selfish e1clusiveuess, 10 say nothing
of the ignorance manifested in regard to what
is the chief corner stone of Republican institu-
tions, selfish e1clusiveness, We repeat, joined
with gross ignorance inexcusable in any man
laying the least claims to intelligence Why,
sir, the principles upon which Republican I'VE
do not mean Radical) governments are founded
know no distinction between the rich and poor
no Determinations between the illegitimate
son of some rich debauchee AMI the legitimate
son of Squire z. or Col. B. But, sir, these
principles emphatically declare that each and
every one Of these are equal heirs each an
equal copartner with all the rest, in the admin
strative functions of Government; ,each an
equal participant with all the rest Of the bene-.
fits aud blessings resulting theyefrom. And
hence we infer, that as it is unqnestionably the
bounden duty Of every father.to see that all his
SONS are we'll qualified for the duties of life, in:
Like manner it is the duty of the State to see
that all within her borders upon whom she has
in any way conferred the right of citizenship,
shall be educated, so as to know how to use this
right without endangering the welfare and
prosperity of the State! And permit us to
still further remark, that Republican form Of
government pre-supposes the intelligence of tho
people. This is the very sine qua non, the
chief corner stone of the political fabric and
without this indispensable prerequisite, all
governments based upon the Republ can theory
will ultimately sooner or later become machines
of oppression, in she hands of a few lunpripci-
pied, selfish, ambitious and designing tricksters
and demagogues, which they will, run through
the instrumentaisy of thetignorant masses, for
the express purpose !efenhancing their own
private interests and personal aggrand izementI
The condition of public affairs in cur State at
present demonstrates this proposition beyond
the possibility of a successful refutation and
that when Ignorance and vice rule, the people
shall mourn! -.
But we may stand still, shutting our eyes to
this great principle underlying the very foun-.
dations of our political institutions We may
cry out, arrogantly and yociferously, that we
are tr,conspr ronsisingly opposed to universal suf-
frage! And so are VIC, without proper and
universal qualification. But We tell you, sirs,
that the crisis is upon us--the die IS cast The
political redemption and salvation of the State
of South Carolina hang upon general difu-
sion Of. education among the masses; for the
great 3triumphal car of human progress pro-
peueQ DJ the NIeSlSuDIe luSpIlutlOn Oi AtcfSi
ture, the mother of the arts and sciences, the
twin sister of virtue and the handmade of re5
igion, is upon the road; the fremen having
up full head of steam, the engineer in his
place. driving on with an impetuous and accel-
Grated velocity that knows no stopping; and
Notwithstanding, we may take our stand upon
the track, and hoop and yell, taunt and deride,
saying wait until you are prepared for this jour.
ney, by waiting ON us till we get ready; until
the general taxes are lower; until the price of
cotton advances; and until the great and diff
cult political problem Of the age is solved un-
til the question of universal suffrage is decided,
and then we will embark on board and I've
will all take ride" on this road leading to
universal freedom; yet the train comes thur
dering ONT heeds us not, it stops notI And
unless We clear the track by getting on board.
we are destined to be left behind; OF what is