USA > Georgia > A discourse delivered before the Georgia Historical Society : on the occasion of its 6th anniversary, on Wednesday, 12th February, 1845 > Part 4
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. And with no small pleasure can the citizens of Savannah turn over
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the records of State legislation upon the subject of education in all its departments. Those records bear ample, honorable testimony to the liberal and patriotic views which the representatives of your city and county have ever entertained upon this important subject. In all the conflicts of political parties, the representatives of Chatham have known no party feelings upon the subject of education. They have ever rallied to the rescue, when any of the institutions of learning needed their aid ; and it has long since become an axiom with the friends of the State University, when inquiring to whom that institution might look for support, that the representatives of Chatham need not he doubted. And often, in the hour of need, has that seminary been indebted, in no small degrée, to your representatives for, if not its existence, at least for much of that assistance which it has received from the Legislature, and by means of which it has been enabled to accomplish much of what it has thus far effected.
And I will again ask, may not, will not your city come forward in the great and all important work of general education ? Can she not in her wisdom devise, and by her public spirit and patriotism cause to be put in cperation, a system which will ultimately bring the blessings of education within the reach of every child in our State ? May she not, by her efforts and by her example, excite other portions of the State to emulation, and thus arouse the energies of our people, until every citizen of Georgia can read the constitution of his country-until no freeman of, Geergia shall be unable to write his own ballot when about to give his vote for the rulers of the country ?
There may be many difficulties which must be overcome to secure the blessings sought. But the difficulties, however numerous, will be few, compared with the numberless blessings which in rich variety would be spread over the State. There may be many obstacles which must be removed, before the object of the friends of learning can be fully attained. But are these obstacles insurmountable-are they 50 formidable as to appal the philanthropist and the patriot ? Are they as formidable as those which have been overcome by the energy of this city in effecting her great work of internal improvement.
The in ortance of some cheap and direct communication to the in- terior of the State was long since perceived by many, and urged upon the consideration of the people and of the legislature. The difficul- ties also in the way of this important work were seen and acknowl- edged to be neitheir few nor small.
I need not mention the disappointments and discouragements to which this city and the people of a large portion of the State were sub-
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jected in the failure of plans, and in the unsuccessful expenditure of funds. Had the friends of internal improvement despaired under these failures and disappointments-had they finally concluded that, desirable as might be the object, it could not be accomplished, the city of Oglethorpe would at this time exhibit little of that increased pros- perity which it enjoys and a large portion of the State, unblest with the means of disposing of the fruits of their industry, would present much less of that growing wealth which now marks the wisdom of your policy, and shows how rich may be blessings which spring from an energy of purpose, not weakened by discouragements, nor paralyzed by repeated failures.
But what are the blessings, rich and varied as they evidently are, which your city enjoys, and which the State reaps from your wise and successful system of internal improvement, compared with the bless- ings which city and country would reap from a wise and successful . system of general education ? The moral power which would thus be put in operation and the economical effects which would result from its operation upon the production of wealth, and from the consumption of objects of foreign commerce and of domestic manufactures which must pass through your city, would be incalculable.
The increased prosperity and wealth of your city would, I donbt not, , exceed in a far higher degree even its present highly flourishing con- dition, than the force of your most powerful locomotive exce eds that of the humble animal which draws the rudest cart to your market.
An uneducated people will be an indolent people-an uneducated people will be a wasteful people-wasteful in the use of even the ener- gies which it possesses-wasteful in the consumption of the few pro- ducts which it creates, and utterly regardless of the prosperity of others.
The natural resources of that part of our State whose products must pass through or be consumed in this place-are incalculable. With an intelligent and industrious population, such a population as the country under proper culture could support. the business and the wealth of Savannah would increase an hundred fold. No one can cast his eye over the map of the State, without seeing that the country which must depend on Savannah for a market, and upon which Savannah must depend, for its greatness. is capable of making her a great city. How much would its business be augmented, were even the county of Chatham as highly cultivated and as thickly inhabited as the common districts of Belgium and Holland ? And why should not every part, not only of this county, but of almost every county in the State, bo as thickly
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dotted with intelligent and industrious inhabitants as the countries to which I have alluded. Are our swamps and morasses more inviting than were those of Holland in the days of Cæsar ? Are our pine barrens less susceptible of improvement than were then many coun. tries in Europe, which are now highly cultivated ? Can we believe that a large portion of that vast territory which borders our seaboard and that through which your Rail Road runs, were designed by the Creator for barren wastes ? Shall most of the large counties which surround this city, continue in their present condition ? Must they support only a meagre population-such as is now scattered over them ? Must their descendants, generation after generation, pass away unblest with the advantages of an education, which would arouse their energies and excite to industry and economy-to wealth and to a still higher degree of civilization and refinement ? I trust not ! for the hon. or and prosperity of our State, I believe not! Must the healthful regions of the Northern part of our State with their rich vallies and their fer- tile hills, be longer neglected ? Must the hardy yeomanry of that portion of the commonwealth be longer, and still longer, deprived of the means of raising their children to a level with those of more favor- ed portions of the State, and of the confederacy ? They may not now pour into our public treasury, the same amount of taxes which come from the more wealthy parts of the State. But let war invade our soil, and they will, they must, according to the laws of the country, pour out much more of their blood to defend the possessions of those who are now enjoying, in so high a degree, the blessings of education, and the refinements which spring from wealth. We greatly err, when we suppose this section of our country, incapable of a high degree of culture. Its physical resources are incalculable, and its moral sus. ceptibilities well worthy the first care of our government.
Educate its sons, elevate its inhabitants, by showing them the value of knowledge, and you will soon produce a population which will turn those now barren hills into fruitful fields, and those rich vallies into the very garden spots of the State.
Your Savannah would then be covered with boats, laden with the products of their soil, and your Rail Road would teem with cars freighted with the fruits of their manufacturing industry and skill.
Cultivate their intellect, and you will cultivate their soil, you will pat in operation all the arts which harmonize and bless life.
Were gocd elementary schools in operation only four months each year, in every portion of the commonwealth, how different would soon be the state of the country and how vast the increase in the business of 5
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every section of the State, and especially the business of our principal towns and cities !
In the present advanced state of science and the arts, it is not diffi- cult to infuse into elementary instruction so much knowledge of the science of agriculture, and of the mechanic arts, as to inspire the young with the desire for further knowledge and for. improvements in all the departments of life. But now it is saddening to the heart of the patriot and the christian, to observe the indifference manifested by multitudes with respect to almost every thing which can bless and adorn life ! There is an apathy upon the subject of education and the improvements in the arts and in agriculture, which is far more fatal to our prosperity as a State, than all the causes which the imagination of the demagogue has ever presented to our people.
Our people must be aroused, they must be educated before any thing like general prosperity can be expected-before our towns will flour- ish -- before our Rail Roads and Steam Boat Companies will prosper -before our city-I shall be pardoned the term, she must be our city,- will become what nature designed her-what her great and good found- er designed her, and what every enlightened patriot of the State would rejoice to see her-a great emporium, of' a great, and intelligent, and prosperous people.
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APPENDIX.
PAGE 6th.
SINCE the printing of the first sheets of this address, I have received a let- ter from my esteemed friend and former pupil, JONATHAN ADAMS, M. D., of Meriwether county, giving me some facts relative to the adventure of his father. to whose services I have alluded on the 6th page. From the informa- tion given me by Dr. ADAMS, I find I have not stated correctly the history of that expedition. I heard the General speak of it many years since, and at the time, took no memorandum. The following is a concise, and, I apprehend, correct account : In September, 1793, the frontier settlements, and espe- cially those of Hancock and Green, were thrown into alarm by the hostile incursion of the Creek Indians. It was believed by many to be very import- ant that an attack should, at once, be made upon these savages in their own territory. But there were orders of the Executive on the subject which seemed to forbid the officers in command of the militia from effecting any such purpose. Gen. ADAMS (then a Major) and his friends considered the cmer- gency so pressing, that he determined to lead a company into the territory of the hostile Creeks. Seventy-five or eighty men immediately started, as most of them supposed, in pursuit of some marauding bands, and followed them through what are now Putnam and Jasper counties, to the Ocmulgee river. "There the design of the expedition was made known to all ; and as the lead- ers and the principal men were determined to go on. the others were unwilling to return, especially through such an Indian country. They pursued their march, and on the List of September, late at night, reached the east bank of the Chattahoochee, and by the barking of dogs and other indications, found themselves opposite an Indian village. They were ignorant of the river, of the country, and strength of the enemy ; but knew that an exhibition of their own weakness would ensure their destruction. Adams, therefore, proposed to one or two of the company to explore the river. and. if possible, make their way across, and learn the situation of the town and the best mode of attack. The attempt was made, and all failed of reaching the opposite bank but Adams. He succeeded, and alone, accomplished the object-was driven from the midst of the town by the dogs-returned to his own men-led them across the river-destroyed the town, killed most of the warriors, captured some thirty or forty of their women, and led his men safe again to the other side of the river, and finally, with only one killed, safely home, through a wilderness of more than 150 miles. This was the first expedition of the whites into the territory beyond the Chattahoochee, and was believed to have been followed
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by a most favorable impression upon the savages. The Indian town destroyed was about six miles above what is now West Point, Troup county, and is still known as the burnt village.
PAGE 14th.
I had determined to throw into this Appendix a considerable amount of statistical information concerning the Academies in different parts of the State. Much which I expected to obtain has not been procured-in some instances because I have not been able to ask for it, and in others because I could not obtain it. But I find. that the more I become acquainted with the history of these institutions, the more fully am I persuaded of the truth of the remarks made on the 14th page, concerning them. In almost every part of the State, where there are students to be educated in such institutions, the inhabitants have been liberal in the erection of buildings and in the support of teachers. We have, at this time. many Academies well conducted, and the teachers liberally sustained by the tuition of pupils. Had we good ele- mentary schools, a much larger number of pupils would, doubtless, be found in Academies-the children of the country would be incited to the pursuit of knowledge by the impulse given to them in these primary institutions-parents would be urged on to the education of their children by seeing the improve- ment of their minds, and by reflecting upon the advantages arising from this improvement.
How long will the citizens of our State slumber over the most, by far the most important, subject which can engage their attention and employ their Legislature ? Is not this a subject concerning which all can agree ? a subject, with respect to which. party politics and sectional jealousies need not exist? That our people are disposed to sustain good Academics, when the advantages of such institutions are urged upon them, is fully proved by the ease with which almost any individual possessing talents and respectability, can succeed in persuading the citizens of a county or a ne'gliborhood to establish such a seminary. What immense suins of money have been expended in our State during the last thirty years in bailding houses and in furnishing the means for giving instructions in these institutions. Iam aware that the zeal of pa- trons often languishes, and that these houses and these means are too often permitted to remain useless-only the monuments of the former zeal and of the present apathy of our citizens. But let the education of the State be a distinct department of the Government. and the officer having the control of this department be a man of zoal and energy and ability, and this apathy would be prevented-these walls of science would not be dilapidated.
PAGE 21st.
There is no truth more fully established, concerning the carly history of the State of Georgia, than that its most distinguished citizens early resolved to make the education of our people a prominent subject in the administra- tion of the Government. It stands out in bold relief upon our institutions, and upon the early legislation of the country. The education of the wholo
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people was the object at which they aimed, and the measures which they ad- opted, show the purity of their motives and the ardent desires which they felt upon this great national subject. No one can fail, upon looking over the records of our legislation, to see with what disinterested feelings the great and good men who controled the destinies of our State during the struggle for independence and immediately succeeding that eventful period, devoted them- selves to its general interests, irrespective of all sectional partialities. I have said the difficulties attending the organization of the University, were many · and formidable. This may be seen by recurring to the condition of the coun- try, when it was resolved to establish such an institution. The location of the principal seminary, was a subject of no small difficulty. For the con- venience of the then population it should have been placed in a very differ- ent part of the State from that which was selected. The men, however, who had influence in the councils of the country looked to the ultimate welfare of the commonwealth. They had, as far as I can discover, no difference of opinion on this subject, farther than as to what would be for the best interests of the State when all our territory should be obtained, and the whole country covered with an intelligent population. By casting the eye over the map of the State, it will be seen that the seat of the University, was at the time of its selection, just upon the northwestern boundary of our territory-it was per- haps the most inconvenient location for the then population which could have been selected-it was just upon the Indian territory, far removed from the principal population, and almost inaccessible from want of roads or any pub- lic conveyances to and from it. Had the Indian title to the lands farther north and west been extinguished, the University would doubtless have been loca- ted still farther west. And yet, notwithstanding the location was so incon- venient, the friends of learning in the low country, readily acquiesed in the selection, and united heartily in endeavoring to organize and put it in opera- tion. The records of the Trustees and the Senatus Academicus, and the Legislature, show that all the distinguished men of the State. were united in endeavoring to carry out this important measure. The funds of the University, however, were very small, when the Legislature and the Trustees determined to commence the institution. No lands belonging to it were thought suitable for a seat of the College. And when one was selected on 6th of July, 1801, by a committee consisting of Geo. Walton, Abraham Baldwin, John Milledge, John Twiggs, and Hugh Lawson. Gov. Milledge generously purchased the tract of land at a cost of about 4000 dollars, and made it a donation to the in- stitution. On this land, it is well known, the town of Athens has been prin- cipally built, and from the sale of lots the Trustees have derived probably not less than 30,000 dollars. When the Board determined to commence a building suitable for such an institution, the funds at their disposal were wholly inadequate, nor was the State at that time able to make any large ap- propriation for sucha purpose. The institution very soon became involved in debt, the work was obtained, only, at very high prices, and for many years the Trustees labored under peculiarly embarrassing circumstances. A ro-
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spectable number of officers could not be sustained, the College building al- ready commenced could not be finished without incurring a still heavier debt, and the institution could not be suspended without jeopardizing its existence. Under these circumstances, Baldwin. Jackson. Milledge, Early, the Hous- tons, the Habershams. Clay, Few. Brownson. Taliafero, Stephens, Walton, Jones, and indeed all the distinguished and leading men in the State, perse- vered in their determination to establish a respectable institution. Though the College was in its infacy and had few advantages, Gov: Jackson, then probably, by far the most popular man in the State, sent his sons to it to re- ceive their education. His example and that of other distinguished men had a large influence in inducing others to send their sons. For many years the institution labored under difficulties which would have defeated the design of its distinguished founders, had not its early friends resolved that the State must and should have a College of its, own. It is one of the most interesting portions of our history to see with what zeal and perseverance the great men of the State labored for such a length of time, and under such adverse circumstances, to establish a literary Institution which they believed would ultimately be an honor and a blessing to their country.
If there be any subject concerning which many of the carly patriots of Georgia, may be said to have been disinterested, it is that of the University. A large portion of the citizens, in the first settlement of the country, felt that they could not enjoy any immediate, direct, advantage from an institution of this kind, and were unwilling that the State should sustain it. The College was therefore very unpopular. . And yet the principal men of the State often risked their popularity in its support. And this has been true with the men of all parties, down even to the present day.
PAGE: 24th.
Georgia has often been represented as more inattentive to the great inter- ests of education than almost any other State in the Union-a statement which does great injustice to our citizens. A correct history of our State will show that those who have preceded us have done much for the cause of education-a full statement of all which has been given by the citizens of the State would, doubtless, surprise many. I cannot at this time give a history of what has been done by our citizens in the cause of education. . A few instances will, however. be sufficient to sustain me in the remark. that we have not been as utterly regardless of the interests of knowledge as many sup- pose. A number of our Academies have respectable, and some of them very ample endowments ; the result of both legislative aid and private liberality. Meson Academy, at Lexington. Oglethorpe county, received from ten to fit- teen thousand dollars, a permanent endowment from the individual whose name it bears. The Burke county Academy has a permanent fund of more than seven thousand dollars, and within a few years the citizens of this county have given to other institutions probably over $20,000. The Richmond Aca- demy has buildings and library and apparatus worth, probably, $30,000-an
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xnunity from real estate amounting to $1600, and Bank stock to the amount of 812,000, besides lands which are rapidly increasing in valne. Here. also, is a Medical College endowed by the State to the amount of perhaps $35,000, and possessing buildings, apparatus, library, and the usual means for con- dueting such an institution, to the amount of 850,000. This institution is now well established, and justly meriting and largely receiving the patronage of the State and other States. The Chatham Academy has large and valua- ble buildings, and funds sufficient to sustain an institution of superior charac- ter. In the village of Washington, there is, besides the Male Academy, which has always been well sustained, a female institute of very high character, for the establishment of which the citizens of that county have come forward with liberal subscriptions. They have a beautiful building and library, and apparatus sufficient to render it an institution of high order. In La Grange, , Troup county, are Academies, both male and female, upon which the inhabi- tants of that village and county have expended large sums, and where hun- dreds of both sexes have for years enjoyed superior advantages for instruc- tion. No one can visit these and many other Academies and High Schools, which are found in all our older and thickly seitled counties, without seeing that a large amount has been expended by our citizens for purposes of educa- tion. The Montpelier Institute, under the patronage of the Episcopal church in Georgia, has probably cost $20,000 in its establishment. One individual gave $10,000. The Female College at Macon has probably cost not less than 870,000. For the establishment and endowment of Emory College, there have been raised between 80 and $100,000. For the establishment and en- dowment of Oglethorpe University between 80 and $100,000. For the estab- lishment and endowment of Mercer University and a Theological Seminary, between 150 and $200,000 have been given. The citizens of Georgia have given to the Theological Seminary at Columbia, S. C., about $60,000. To Randolph Macon College. N. C .. 810,000. To the Columbian College. D.C. 825,000. To the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J., 825,000. To the Theological Seminary at Andover. Mass., a considerable amount-how much I am unable to say. as I have received no answer to an inquiry touching that subject. which I addressed to one of its Professors. I know that Mr. John Whitehead of Burke county gave $2500. We have here for the pur- pose of establishing institutions of learning, privato subscriptions by the citizens of Georgia, and that within a few years. to the amount of more than £600.000. Ihave mentioned only a small part which has been given for this purpose in the State. Our people are not-they never have been. regardless of this subject-but from our peculiar situation, we have thus far failed to unite and concentrate the action of our whole people. They have the ability and the disposition to spread the light of knowledge over our State. Let thom be properly enlightened, and they will come forth with an energy which will overcome all obstacles. That our University has not accomplished more is undoubtedly a source of regret to every friend of knowledge-that it has accomplished as much as it has, is, perhaps, a cause of rejoicing to all its friends. It will not be denied by any one. that this Institution has been grad- ually advancing in usefulness since its funds have been sufficient to sustain The expenses necessarily incident to a respectable College. These expenses
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are much larger than many, who have had no eupchence in the management of such institutions apprehend. The University of Georgia had for an en- dowment 10,000 acres of land. located by the Surveyors in what are now Han- cock. Green. Oglethorpe. Clark. Jackson. Franklin, and in the fork of the Tugalo and Seneca rivers. By the treaty of Baulit. the last tract was lost by falling into the State of North Carolina. Thus. 5000 acres. equal in value to more than one-eighth of the endowment of the University was wholly lost. The remaining lands were long unsaleable. and could not be rented for any valuable consideration. The country was new. lands abundant and cheap-much. cven of a good quality. could be obtained by merely surveying it and paving the fees for granting. The lands. therefore. of the University, could not be made available for any valuable purpose. and the Trustees were unable to commence the institution. None of the kids belonging to the University were sold until 1803. and then only a small portion and at a low price. Most of them romined unsold! and unproductive till 1816, when they were nearly all soll, and $100.000 vested in Dank stock. asa permanent fund for the support of the institution. . The Legislature. in consideration of the large amount of bonds for these lands over the $100,000, guaranteed that this pernnent find show! yield annually eight per cont.
The College was nearly suspended from 1516 to 1819. and by aid of the surplus funds, during this period. the debts of the institution were paid, the buildings repaired. the small fibers in red. and the Philosophical and Cho- mical Apparatus, greatly enlarge d. fromthis period the Institution began to assume a respectable ;talt spddents increased -- the Board obtained the services of a respectable number of officers, and continually enlarged the Library and Apparatus.
The first Commencement was on Thursday the 31st May 1804. The ex- ercises were held uder an arbour. creche in the campus-the number of grad- uates was nine. Of these & are now living. viz : Col. Gibson Clark, Gen. Jeptha V. Harris. Col. Win. H. Jelen and James Jackson, at present Pro- fessor of Chemistry and Natural History. In the University. The Hon. Au- gustus S. Clayton one of it - a tuttiring friends. to the day of his death, was also a member o: this clu-s. as Irwin. Jared Irwin, Robert Ruth-
erford and William Willnot. Were the wwwour remaining members. The whole number of graduates is and among whom are found a large number of our most useful and di-tingui- mod ation
The University Las hin ryt perhaps 75 or 80 thousand
dollars. It bus a veryest Philosophical Apparatus-a good Chemical Ibratory-a large Me! - it'sbinet, and a very neat Bo- tanie Garden. Theo love chiati af ghtendollars. It hasa Library of very valuable ] bok- to the number of about y thon and volumes. which have cost at least 2pmog de. =
1 amounting to about 5tamos midi Chersof the University are Sofies have Libraries now a President. six Profesors and two Tutor -. Considering all the circum- nehme that they have not betrayed their trust-and flotther ch the State may not have done as much as many friends of learning could desire, he has done more than many apprehend-there when many Stres which are supposed to have been very lib- eral in their endowment and algorit of seminarios of learning ? It is true. What the citizens of :. tothis In :- stitution. Ithas gotborntis minion strach h users and donations as have been bestowed upon theker Colours. But may not the liberality of our Fitzen- which has been so fron towards other and private seminaries. be get turned towards this ? And sing so much has been done by the Trustees to carry out the designs of its patriote. and enlightened founders, may we not recibiy Sapere tus the State Will herefter appropriate to it whatever may be necessary to place it by the File of the most fevered, and useful Cu !- lear s in the land.
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