Hillsdale Whig Standard

We are requested to publish the following from the Monroe Commercial.

New York Free School State Convention.

We learn from our New York exchanges, that there is a Free School State Convention at Syracuse, the 10th of July next. The Free School Law of that State was passed by the Legislature at the session of 1849. It contained a provision that it should be voted on at the then next State election, and that the act should become a law, provided a majority of all the votes cast on the question should be in its favor. The vote stood 249,872 for the new law; 91,951 against it; majority for the law 157,921.

The present law went into operation about the middle of November last; and on the tenth of April the Legislature passed an act to re-submit it! About 15,000 petitioned for a repeal or modification of the law, but none for re-submission!

The friends of Free Schools in that State, under these circumstances, which are the more embarrassing from the consideration that the present law is not what they themselves desire, have invited many of the most distinguished friends of Free Education from various parts of the Union to meet in State Convention as already stated.

The Syracuse papers contain the replies of Gov. Seward, Horace Greeley, Salem Town and others.

We publish to day Mr. Mayhew's reply, and may hereafter publish some of the other letters.

Mr. Mayhew's reply to the invitation from a Committee to attend the New York Free School Convention.

Monroe, Mich., June 3, 1850.

Gentlemen:—I have to thank you for your obliging invitation to attend the State Convention of Free Schools, to be held in Syracuse the 10th of July next.

The subject of Popular Education is one which should engage the earnest attention, and enlist the warmest sympathies and most hearty co-operation of every Patriot and Christian Philanthropist in our country. To Americans especially should direct their attention, as the one great subject which underlies all our dearest and most cherished interests. It is unquestionable of greater importance to us, than any subject of state or national policy which can engage the attention of a great and free people. Every thing, indeed, depends upon its proper maintenance.

That greatest of all experiments, the capability of man for self government, which, wherever it has been tried has failed, we are trying again. Its result, in my opinion, depends entirely upon the educational policy which shall be pursued by the various States of this Union.

It is of the utmost importance that, in a republican government, Universal Education should precede, and then everafter co-exist with, Universal Suffrage. It requires but little discernment to see that existing popular intelligence and virtue, and the means provided for the education of the rising generation, are wholly inadequate to the most successful, if not even to the safe, administration of our state and national affairs.

The education of the American people should be such as to acquaint them with their rights and duties as citizens and sovereigns, and at the same time lead them to cherish those principles of virtue which shall enable them, while they temperately enjoy their rights, faithfully to discharge their duties.

With us, then, everything depends upon the correct education of all our future citizens. With it, we may, and must certainly shall, perfect and transmit to the latest posterity, the rich boon we have received from our fathers. Each generation has its duties to perform. Nobly did the sages and heroes of the Revolution perform theirs. If we discharge ours with equal fidelity, there lies before us an empty continent to be filled up with innumerable millions of human beings, who will be made happy through our wisdom; but if we are recreant to the trust reposed in us, they will be rendered miserable through our folly.

It would seem that no enlightened mind can for one moment question where both duty and interest lie, in relation to this matter. Wisdom then requires us to pursue that policy which will be most likely to secure to every youth of our country, such an education as will contribute most to personal and social happiness, to the well-being of neighborhoods and communities, and to the highest prosperity of the States which compose this great Nation,—and this requires that the improved Common School should be free to all our country's youth, and that, if need be, agents be employed, vigilant and active, 'to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in.'

I sympathise fully with the sentiments contained in your circular, and be assured it will afford me the utmost pleasure to attend the proposed Convention. Business calls me to New York in July, and if not utterly impracticable I shall make my arrangements to be in Syracuse during the sittings of the Convention.

Very respectfully and truly,

Your obedient servant,

IRA MAYHEW.

Messrs. HARVEY, CRANDEL and others,

Committee, Syracuse, N. Y.