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461

Everything is wanting; a general desire for education, faith in the free school system, knowledge of the method of operating it, and the means to erect school houses and support them.

5th. The people of Virginia, not only do not believe in a system of Free Public schools, but they disbelieve in it and strongly hate it. Of course I do not include in this statement, the colored people, and there are many honorable exceptions among the whites. I state it as applicable to a great majority of the wealthy, educated and influential citizens. As for the poor whites, few of them understand their wants, and would be glad of schools, but many share the prejudice of their more fortunate neighbors, and more are utterly apathetic.

6th  It is impossible for the State to pay the interests on its public debt, much less can it, put in operation, and carry forward without assistance, so costly an improvement as a system of public schools.

7th.  With going into details I should say that the General Government, should, through proper agencies, co-operate directly with local