The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-09

iluence private parties, newspapers, and
even whole legislatures, by methods more
conumciag than argument to so many;
they are not to be ignored with impunity.
Their purpose has been distinctly an
nounced by the papers under their con-
troll, and 10y their leading representatives,
and they are not likely to abandon it.
They are able to call to their aid several
elements of little consequence in them
selves, but not without weight in an I'M
holy alliance.
The lovers Of caste, who repel all COM
panionsbip with those whom they esteem
social interiors, cry out against free schools.
The sectarian refuses to give up his parish
system, for one that has no sectarian religion,
and denounces them. The penurious resist
taxation to educate the children of others,
and perhaps even their own. Self-satisfied
Conservatives, who disdain improvement,
oppose them, and regard all theories of
universal education as Utopian and danger
Gus. Ambitious demagogues, of the baser
sort, who thrive by the ignorance of the
populace, which they use as the stepping
stone to place and power over the heads of
of the wise and good, readily join in the
cutlery against free schools, or secretly plot
for their overthrow.
AsSuch % combination of active foes, and
adverse conditions of successful defense
may well cause serious alarm among the
friends of popular education. 1t is always
safe to admit in full the strength of an enc
my, that we may put forth efforts adequate
to obstacles, and so we state the case
strongly, as it appears to us. We warn
every true friend of education in the State,
every parent Of children, every man who
has love for tho people, and is willing to
labor for their good, every real patriot who
would see the State lifted out of present
embarrassnents into prosperity and glory
we warn every man who has any stake in
the future Of Virginia to look this matter
seriously in the face, and unite with lis to
defeat the unhallowed conspiracy against
its children.
An attempt is being made to commit the
dominant party in Virginia to the cause of
ignorance, barbarism and retrogrcssion.
We especially call upon the masses of that
party who have no motive to be wrong, to
defeat this attempt which if permitted will
be self-destruclion, There is no hope for
them but in the education of their children.
That is tie ark Of their salvation. VIII the
people condemn their sons and daughters
to helpless inleriority for generations, at
the beck of party leaders who have held
them and THEN fathers in ignorance as the
means of perpetuating their own power
VIII they be induced by party dis
cplnc to support policy which
shuts out their children from the
best walks of life, at the dictation of
pretended aristocracy, living upon the
reputation of its boosted fathers, and
having no claim to good will by worthy
achievements which fears for its own
feeble progeny, pampered in academies and
universities sustained at public expense,
when brought in competition with the ro-
bust manhood that comes up from farm
and fireside and workshop, educated at the
peoples colleges-the FREE SCHOOLS?
Meantime, let us spare no pains to en-
tighten and inform them as to the value
and importance of this great interest, and
to stimulate earnest efforts to save it from
peril.