The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-08
THE PUEBLO SCHOOL SYSTEM.

The Dispatch of this morning seeks to
break the force Of our article on the free
school law, and still asserts that without
the Conservative party we should have had
no such system in the state. Let US see
how plain statement shall put The
Dispatch down, especially in respect to its
own candidates who are now seeking to
steal a little Republican thunder in order
to save them from utter rout and confusion
before the people.
The success of the free school system in
The state, and its popularity among our
working white classes, has caused the Con-
sentative party materially to change the
tone of its opposition to it. This was 10
be expected, and we have several times
taken occasion to notice this change, and
to warmly commend the more liberal
members of the party for it. But we were
not prepared for the mendacious attitude
they now take, in declaring themselves the
friends OF the system, and the actual
authors of it from the start. The genius
of lying can 60 no farther. 1t caps the
climax in this particular flight, and stands
monument of mendacity more enduring
than brass.
Let us see what Colonel Withers, the
Conservative candidate for lieutenant gov
ernor, said of this system not so long ago
that we need to jog his memory or that
of his Conseryate friends in regard to his
utterances. Having copy of the consti-
tuition containing the school law in his
hands, he said at Farmvlle and other
places in the state: 8 You may strike out
the test-oath and DISTINGUISHING clause, and
the county organization system, but you still
have that Infamous free school system left,
which will, if adopted, force the property
holders Of the state to pay regiment of
she carpet-baggers' from Massachusetts
to educate the children of non-propcrty
holders" He then spit upon the constitu-
ton, threw it down and stamped it under
his feet. We have the authority of
gentleman who boths saw and heard this,
and whose name can be given if desired.
Mr.. RaleighT. Daniel, who now aspires
to the position Of law officer of the
commonwealth, was member of the
last legislature from this city, and while
quite as decided as his fle-leader in his OPP
position to the school system lacked some
what Colonel Withcrs' theatrical demon.
stration. During the legislative session of
last winter, Mr.. Daniel, in discussing
measure relating to free schools, said: 'Tf
ever have the power | will render the
school feature Of the constitution nugatory.
1t shall never be carried out by any vote or
action of mine.o
We are not prepared TO give the views of
General Kemper as publicly expressed on
this subject for, while there is no end to
his speaking, be is known to be constitu-
tioDally averse to appearing in print and
hence, what he may have said at any par
ticu'ar time is not so easy Of access just at
this moment. But his general opposition
to the constitution, as submitted by the
Republican Convention framing it. is well
known, and the free school provision was
especially obnoxious tc him. But be this
as at may, without the Republican party
there would have been no free schools in
the state, and this every man of intelligence
in Virginia we'll knows.