1. RALEIGH REGISTER ON "EDUCATION OF THE POOR."

of education; suita

prevented action

We congratulate our readers on the appointment of a Committee on plan very able committee for the purpose of forming for the ble plan has sooner next Legislature, a system for educating the children of by Legislature. indigent parents in this State. It is a subject that halong engaged the attention of our most worthy patriots and philanthropists, and it is one on the policy of which there is no difference of opinion. The venerable framers of our Constitution directed such schools to be established, and it is time that direction was obeyed. Nothing has prevented it, but the difficulty of forming a suitable plan for effecting the object. We trust this difficulty will vanish before the committee to which this subject is now committed.

-Raleigh Register, Jan. 7, 1825.

Surprising that our Legislature has not yet provided the means of education.

poor.

2. "P. S." ON EDUCATION.

FOR THE WESTERN CAROLINIAN.

Mr. White: In perusing the message of Governor Holmes to the Legislature of this state, I was particularly and forcibly struck with that part in which he adverts to the subject of Free Schools, and institutes the very striking contrast between the state of education in Connecticut and North-Carolina. It is, indeed, surprising that a subject so interesting to every philanthropist, so superlatively important in a political point of view, and so loudly and imperiously demanded by existing circumstances in our state, should have continued so long without attracting the special attention and engaging the active exertions of our Legislature. Of the utility of Legislative interference, Example of New the New-England states exhibit a most splendid and conEngland in providing schools for the vincing illustration, in that high state of intellectual culture for which their whole population is distinguished. It is not in the giant minds of such men as Adams, Webster and Everett, that we trace the monuments of their intellectual superiority; but it is in those benevolent and political provisions for the general dissemination of education and intelligence, which, in the extent of their operation, pervade every domestic circle, and afford to the indigent parent that consolatory reflection, that a humane and liberal policy is showering blessings upon his offspring, for the attainment of which his own limited resources are inadequate. From this system of education, have emanated. results the most splendid and encouraging to the active philanthropist, and to the politicians of other states. NewEngland, at this moment, presents a population which, for intelligence, patriotism and enterprise, is not equalled either in Europe or America; its agriculture and manufactures are in a constant and uninterrupted march to perfection; her marine waves its flag and rides on the bosom of

Commercial supre.

macy of New Eng

land the result of

education.

lower order of our

every sea, and every port of the civilized world exhibits monuments of their adventurous enterprise. But when we turn our views from this interesting picture to the consideration of our own state, the mind is loathe to contemplate the humiliating contrast. Whatever may be said of our rapid advancement within a few years past, an intimate familiarity with the lower order of our population is alone requisite to disclose the gross ignorance that exists. The dullness and incapacity which is permitted to enter Ignorance of the our legislative hall, and disgraces us even in the national population. representation, and our former tame subserviency to the interests and designs of another state, evince most unequivocally the mental debasement of a large portion of our population. Those social feelings, ingrafted in our nation for the best purposes, urge most irresistibly upon us the duty of active exertion in ameliorating the condition. of this wretched part of our population: And when we consider that (notwithstanding the infinite diversity of fortune and mental cultivation which have originated in the peculiar and varied conditions in which chance has placed us) we are all originally equal; and that, not unusually, the haunts of wretchedness and poverty contain our leaders often the embryoes of future heroes and statesmen: and when obscure homes. we contemplate, how large a portion of those who now constitute the pride and the glory of their country have sprung up from the very mires of obscurity, to their present elevated stations, either under the auspicious influence of patronage, or by the buoyancy of native, unassisted genius we find additional inducements to co-operate vig. orously in the contemplated design. These are considerations which apply to all men considered as social beings: but there are others which apply more particularly to ourselves, considered as citizens of the happiest and only free government on earth. The maxim, that "intelligence is the life of liberty," is sanctioned by the authority of the Intelligence is the chief of patriots, and most amply verified by the political

spring from

life of liberty.

Ignorance of the masses hinders

ment in Europe.

experience of the last century. The more ignorant the people are, the more they are subject to be led astray by erroneous opinions, to be deluded by misrepresentations, and imposed upon by artifice. And so long as the mass of the population continues ignorant, no matter how liberal and judiciously adjusted the political system may be, its existence is destined to be transient.

Why is it that Europe has so often witnessed republican republican govern- institutions, originating in successful resistance to oppression, tumbling into the most furious and bloody anarchy, and at length terminating in a despotism more galling and oppressive than ever? It is this: the people of Europe do not possess that intelligence, and consequently that habitude of reflecting and judging for themselvves, which is essential to the permanence of republican institutions.

Education a patriotic duty.

outstripped us in intellectual and commercial affairs.

This view of the subject renders it peculiarly interesting to every patriot who contemplates with enthusiasm their splendid revolutionary struggle, and the happy and liberal political system to which it has given birth-who regards, with abhorrence, the abominable designs of the Holy Alliance to repress every burst of liberal feeling throughout the world, and who looks forward with delightful anticipation to that period when our republic shall be a light and landmark to the patriot of every clime.

But not only the permanence of our republican institutions, but the character and honor of our state imperiously demand increased intelligence in the mass of our population. It is humiliating in the highest degree, to behold Other states have the gigantic strides by which our sister states have sur passed us in the march of improvement. Notwithstanding that here was first formed the spark which afterwards blazed in a mighty conflagration throughout the Union, yet how little have we profited by this bold and early display of American feeling? Our agriculture is nearly what it was in the days of our fathers; enterprise, of every kind, seems to have taken wings, and fled to some

The education of

only sure basis of commercial pros

congenial abode; our political existence has been but barely acknowledged; and, with very few exceptions, our representation at Washington has been such as to corroborate the degrading opinions entertained of our state. It is now high time to retrieve our lost honor, and establish our character for intelligence, patriotism and enterprize. And in the masses the accomplishing the grand object, the intellectual improve- agricultural and ment of the lower classes must constitute the adamantine perity. basis of the whole superstructure. Do this, and agricul ture will feel its genial influence; commerce will wave its flag; talents and ability will mark our representatives; foreign influence will vanish from our deliberations, and our state assume that rank to which its resources and its political duration so eminently entitle it.

Lincolnton, Dec. 6th, 1824.

P...... S.....

-Western Carolinian, Jan. 11, 1825.