Texas in 1850. By Melinda Rankin. Page: 126 of 196

TEXAS IN 1850.

129

which they have succeeded admirably. The extensive
prairies, with which the country abounds, might be turned
to very profitable account in serving as pasturage for
immense flocks of sheep, and requiring so little attention,
it might, evidently, be rendered a very lucrative
business.
Nothing. can be more manifest, than that middle
Texas is rapidly improving in population and wealth,
and presents a most ample field for industry and enterprise.
Yet in the midst of such general and increasing
prosperity, it is to be regretted that there is not a corresponding
interest upon the great subjects of the mental
and moral improvement of the population. A traveller,
recently, examining this portion of the State, in reference
to these subjects, thus writes: " The fact is, (and
the sooner it is known and felt the better for the permanent
welfare of the State) on the great subject of
education in the most comprehensive sense of the word,
we are not, as a people, doing what we should do. A
very large majority of the rising generation of middle
Texas, now growing up in our midst, are entirely destitute
of school instruction; and yet these are the persons,
upon whom will soon devolve the duty of electing
all our officers, from the judges of our highest courts
down to the lowest office. Ought not the minds of persons
who are to be clothed with so much power to be
enlightened ? And yet, in many of our counties, common
schools cannot be found. In many neighborhoods
the Sabbath school is the only means of instruction
afforded--and yet this is the great State of Texas,