Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-11-29
The Governors Message.

Il
long, well-written, bitterly partizan paper.
Our Governor is one Of those little men
who never forgets his party obligations.
To be known as a Radical Republican is
more important in his eyes than to be
respected as the Governor Of the State.
We will publish, from time 70 time, such
extracts from his Message as are not
mere party electioneering clap-tlap.
Upon the subject of Education, the
Governor says:
One of the most important duties of a
free State is to educate its people. The
greatest damage that can threaten the lib
critics of the republic is ignorance among
the masses. 1t renders easy the tricks of
the demaGogue, and opens the way for evil
Vaccinations OF the ambitious and corrupt.
With every citizen holding in his hand the
ballot, and invested with his proportion of
political power, general education becomes
the Only practical safeguard to the welfare
Of the State and the success OF good gov
erumens. = his oft repeated truth cannot
be too strongly impressed upon the repre-
sentatiyes of the people. II is the highest
duty Of legislators to address themselves
assduously to this subject, and to continue,
to secure continHed progress in bringing to
the door of eteIV citizen the most ample
facilities for education and sound instruc
ton. But, i'll North Carolina, the recent
elevation Of large class of people to full
and complete citizenship, who have never
had the advantages of schools and general
education. imposes this duty upon us in an
especial and grave degree. 1t is not so much
the higher branches Of learning that
l. &l,n u1a of
/ schools ard colleges that claim your
especial attention. y thorough system OF
! common schools, placing their advantages
] within the easy reach Of the laboring
classes, is the great object to which your
! efforts should be aimed. There is no other
! object to which whatever Of financial re-
source that is still left to the State, could
be SO adyantageOusly and wisely directed
! and applied. There is no other object for
which the people Weuld so willingly sub
NIT to taxation, and to which they would
so cheerfully contribute. Its benefits are
not confined to enc lass ttGrc' than
another. The lahoTer. the business man,
the manufacturer, and the p!Opertv-hOlder.
have their interests and tueir safety alike
involved, in whatever elevateS the masses,
| improves the lower conditions Cf life, in
culcates virtue and spreads general infor-
nation and instruction. The whole fabric
Of Republican Government tests upon the
! humble foundations that aIc reached by
the common schools.
How far the present condition of the
, State will permit you to go i'll this matter.
is FIR YOUR most serious consideration.
But all should be done, that a prudent re-
gard for the financial condition and ca
pacity of the State will allow. 1t is es-
peCialy unfortunate that we have not the
power to do more than seems within our
reach, at time when 50 many voters are
added to til, political element Of the State,
most Of whom are in total ignorance of
even the rudimens Cf education Every
citizen ought to be able TO inform himself
of the facts and principles bearing upon
the great duty, hich he performs when
he casts his vote, aud adds his voice and
will, in shaping the policy and adminstra-
ton Of the government of his country.
j Not being able to read is no Just cause for
DENYING The right of suffrage, and under
the Constitution the requirement Of any
such qualification is wisely and justly pro-
hibited. But it is incumbent on the gov
ernmcnt, which secures this right, and
must be affected by its exercise, TO put
! within the reach Of all its citizens the
amplest facilities for qualifying themselves
for its enlightened and judiciOus eIjoy-
ment and use.
nation as well. that has its interest and
safety involved. There is, perhaps, no
subject connected with the Southern States
of the Union, where, by action of the Ma
tional Government, large number of I'M
educated citizens have been recently
invested with the power Of the ballot, that
! so demands tie attention and action OF
J Congress. Its tenefcent and kindly offices
! to these States could not be, in an other
manner, so effectively displayed, and be
attended with such immediate and bene-
fetal results, as in providing the means for
| general, popular education. Propositions
! of this character have been introduced and
| consider ed in the National Legislature, and
| 1t is hoped they will be speedily adopted
and put into execution. How far you
might influence or hasten this by your ac-
tion should be considered. Besides, such
general manifestation of an honest desire
! to place the State in full accord with
the Nation, and to carry out Ill good
faith and in practice the .'new order
of things" to which | referred more
pointedly in the beginning OF this message
it might not be inconsistent with she dig
! nity of the State to call the attention
of Congress to the wants and ne
cessties of our people on this snhject.-
Certainly a collection OF the facts showing
the true condition of the people in al
educational point of view, and exhibiting
| in detail the best and most practical method
for its improvement, might aid II shaping
and perfecting whatever legislation it may
be the purpose of Congress to adopt.
Imay be allowed to express the hope
that the Legislature, at its present session
will be able to devise means to make great
and much needed improvements in cul
common schools, increasing them in mum
Der and efficiency, and in the length o
time they shall be kept in operation during
the year. AS regards the University of tht
State, refer to my recommendations IL
my last message, because 1 see no cause
to change or add to them, and no reasoI
to doubt their propriety and correctness:
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