Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-09-10
EDUCATION.


posal for communicating the. blessings of Ed
ucation to the great body of the people was
lately received Already, however, that dis
graceful opposition is extinct; and in no in
stance, perhaps, could a more remarkable
proof be Produced of the present rapid pro-
gress of the public mind, than the short space
of time which has sutiiced to discredit the OBJ
jections to which we have alluded ;-and that
SO completely, that Mr.. Brougham could say
with perfect truth, in the opening of the
speech before us, "that the prejudices and
fancies by which we were assured, that if we
taught ploughmen and mechanicks to read,
they would disdain to work, have now entirely
died away. During this and the two last ses-
sions, all the discussions that have taken place,
both in the House, in the Committee, and in
the Country, have never heard single whis-
per hostile to the universal diffusion of know
ledge. Every thing like opposition to the
measure itself, is anXiously dsclamed by all.
The only question entertained is touching the
best, that is. the surest, and most economical,
method of carrying it into effects
We have made the foregoing extract
from the celebrated Journal 10 which it
appeared, because it furnishes evidence
OF one OF Two striking facts. For mea-
sures, we believe, having highly bene-
fetal object in view, are at frs, recoiv
ed without jealousy and opposition. Re-
f,ection and examination will lead every
one to the conclusioD,t that, the more wide
~ EDUCATION is diffused, the greater will
be the ratio Of benefit derived. But, al.
though this is the inevitable effect of at.
sention to the subject, so that those who
have examined it, can hardly conceive
of the existence of any other opinion, YET
facts shew, that it does not always SO
strike the mind at first view.
In England, indeed, where Mr.. Broug
hams distinguished talents were put il
requstion on behalf Of the uneducated
poor, there is natural cause for oppo-
sition. The classes which are called
upon for the means are distinct from those
which are expected to receive the 6ene
.fss OF general system of common
schools. The rich and powerful feared
the consequences of teaching" plou gh-
men and mechanics to read" 1t was
not, exactly, as they pretended, thai
"ploughmen and mechanics would
disdain to work." bu, it was because edo
cation would give them the ability to as.
sumo a more commanding STATEN in the
political ranks, and to examine more full
iy the doctrines by which they are de-
barred from privileges enjoyed by others
This contamination was, to be sure, ma
rurally deprecated by the privileged
classes" who were too conscious of the
weakness OF their arrogant claims to dis
tinction, not to be sensible that general
diffusion of knowledge would necessarily
raise the commonal'y to participation
in all civil and political rights.
We say 1t was natural, that opposition
TO general system of schools should
exist in country where the people arc
divided into distinct classes, varying in
the nature and extent of their civil rights.
Our wonder is,that this opposition should
have been SO feeble, and so soon with.
drawn. We cannot but suspect, tina,
the difference of opinion touching the
best, that is the surest and most eco
nemical mode of carrying i. into effect"
has arisen, in some degree at least, from
the same selfish source. But, it seems,
It dare not shew itself in open acts eli
hostility, and therefore creates embar-
easements in arranging the details. We
may be harsh, but we Judge from the
nature Of man, as evinced by his conduct,
There are few instances Of the voluntary
REIMBURSEMENT of power.
Our intention, as probably our readers
will have discovered, is, to shew the
contrast between those from whom this
opposition proceeded in England, and
the people of our own country. Here
We have no "privileged classes" We
are all comprised in one class and the
interest is one and indivisible. If the
rich and powerful, under monarchical
government, had reason to fear the eff. |
Rects ION themselxesl Of jnstrnctinp RI o |