Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-07-09
For the Spirit OF Jefterson.l
The Free School System.


The great principle Of universal or free ed.
ucations by which the masses will be reached,
has obtained among Improperly enlightened
people. tits grand fact that in our great
contederacy of soyereignties there is hardlya
State that has not Incorporated it in its organic
law, and throws around it the agis of its pro
lection. The education and consequent in
telligence of its citizens is recognized not only
as the strong pillar of the State, but beyond
all controversy it is the power and elan of a
strated in the recent victories of the Germans
overt the French, the successes of the former
over the latter being attributed in large de-
gree to the superior intelligence of the Ger
man soldier, in whose country education is SO
generally distributed. The above predicates
being correct an objection to the system of
free schools is at once met, viz: that the
State has no right TO levy tax on one portion
OF her citizens to support another, or in other
words that it is arbitrary and unjust to force
one part to pay for the schooling of the chit
dren of another. If. left to the voluntary ac>
ton OF the people, the system would only be
partially adopted, if at all, division of senti>
ment being almost sure to exist. 1t is abso-
lutely necessary that the State take the matter
in hand and by its strong arm provide means
for the education of all her children. This
can only be done by judcious legislation in
reference thereto, the basis of support, prop
erty taxation. TIE STATE as justified in so
doing on the ground of self defence. For it
is an automatic truth the more enlightened
aud intelligent its citizens, the more stable
and enduring the civil compact and the
greater safety thrown around life, property
and the public veal. In the execution of the
system it is necessary that the richer counties
contribute their euantum of the taxes to the
general fund, though it be in excess of the
amount required to support the schools within
their own borders, in order that the poorer
counties may have the benefit of the system,
thus making it general in its effects, the State
as a. whole being tho beneficiary. This neces.
sty bears upon the State more heavily than
ever before, from the fact, that large por>
ton OF the population have been elevated to
the status of citizenship, emerging from
condition OF Ignorance. These are included
10 the bond, their culture to be carried on in
schools entirely separate from the whites, a
very important feature. population SO ig-
norant thrown upon the State forces her in
respect to her future interest and veal, to fit
them tor the proper discharge of the duties of
citizen, their education though in a limited
sense being the essential need. The manage.
ment of the system since its Inauguration has
been Of such character as to bring it into
disrepute. This has been decidedly partizan.
As consequence. the administrators, until a
late date, have been wanting in capacity and
reliability, occupying their positions as sine>
cures. more anxious about the pay than the
faithful discharge of duty. In order that the
system be most advantngeously carried out. it
is necessary that its functionaries-itsb boards.
its commissioners, its superintendent, its
teachers-ail feel personal interest, ap>
preciating its good and aim by an honest effort
TO work it in their several orbits faithfully and
efficiently. Were this the case then, instead
of its being spurned by so many, it would be
recognized and received as wise and benefi-
cent institution. Let US fondly hope that
those who have been entrusted by their fellow
citizens with the working of the system among
us, may rise to the full discharge of their
duties and leave nothing undone, as laid down
in the law, which embodies every climcnt of
usefulness and profit. JuNIus.
Charlestown, July 4th, 1872.
RE- We publish below short card from
j. Ii. Pepdleton, Esq one of Jacobs
warmest friends and most ardent supporters
before the Petersburg Convention. 1t will
be seen that he does not support him, nor
give the slightest countenance to His Elk,
celeucy treachery:
Editors Of tie WAretiny Register Prior
to the Parkersburg Convention / was in favor
of the nomination of Governor Jacob NV
personal relation would have made nle in favor
of j. N. Camden. Governor Jacob. for
reasons satisfactory to himself, declined to 60
into Convention. | was a member of that
Convention and am honorably bound by its
action.
My main reason why I should have voted
for Governor Jacob was that be was in on
merits and had in my juds ment done his duty.
Now [ see my duty and that is to support the
nominee. | say this only because | have
been misrepresentod as opposing Mr.. Camden's
election. Respectfully.
j. II. PENpLEroN.
z. 81 hope Governor Jacob shall not
find himself in the condition of the man who
went.down from "Jerusaiem to Jericho"
DON'T BOTHER HIM.-Sume indiscreet
Republicans are placing Ohm j. Jacob, their
candidate for Governor, in an unpleasant pre-.
dicament. They demand that he shall define
his position ON the new Constitution. This is
embarrassing Tooppose it is to abandon hope
of Democratic support; to support it is to drive
off his Republican friends, and to keep silent is
to excite the disgust of everybody 1.-THE way
of the trausgressor is hard" We learn, how
ever, that at the Petersburg conference, the
Republican leaders were assured by John j.
Jacob, their candidate for Governor, that he
was willing to commit himself against the new
Constitution, provided, if it were defeated. he
could be satisfied of the Republican support
for Governor in October. AS this proposition
involved further negotiations, not wholly un>
connected with Boreman and the United
States Senatorship, in 1874, final action was
not taken by the Petersburg Syndicate. In
the meantime, the position of the Republican
candidate for Governor upon the new Consti>
tuition, will be accommodated to the predilec-