Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-06-14
For the s,an,ine Republican.


ducafion-Common Schools, &c.--Well
may the people of Michigan rejoice inetho pros
pect which is before them. Well may they be
proud Of their State of her institutions. She
has come into the Union with spirit worthy Of
that great nation of which she forms component
part. Here, while yet in infancy, education
finds an abiding place-here literary institute ne
flourish in congenial soil. While those Of high.
er order are brought into existence, our Common
School is the brightest ornament of our young and
rising State, rich legacy of those legislators by
whom the system was conceived and established.
What is the foundation ofour institutions, civ
il. political and relgious1 They are based upon
the virtue and intelligence Of our people and so
long these remain in their purity they are safe.
as immutable as the eternal hills. But ifthey be
overthrown, destroyed well may we exclaim,
" pale patria mel, fugit gloria tut" the strong
tower of your freedom is broken down. A bet
ter destiny awaits us. The genius of our people
ever on the wing will soar aloft above every 9TH
consideration until the land shall be enveloped
in broad mantle of literature and science. A
mighty impetus has been given to the energies of
our people which will go onward, will not cease
in its opertion until it shall have accomplished its
purpose. Until, in every part of the country,
we shall behold temples upreared, consecrated to
the hallowed cause Of education---to the dissent
nation of pure principles of civil and religious
liberty. The world of thought is in motion. The
seeds ofmental culture are falling upon grateful
soil in bountifal profusion. The light of science
10 chi %
revealing new beauties at every glance--piercing
like the eagles eye,
g. downward, onward or above,
With pervading vision"
May we not anticipate the day when we shall
stand aloft, above all othcrs-when the world
may boast of no equal in the cause of letters. We
have every thing to incite us onward in the cause
of education. All that we have or hope for is de.
pendent upon the issue, the triumph oflight over
darkness, acknowledge over ignorance
We turn with pride to the contemplation of our
own state of Michigan. The enlightened and
liberal policy of the state and general govern
ments, seconded by the public spirit and enter
pris, ofour citizens has done every thing for the
elevation of the literary character of the state.
Though yet in our infancy-though just emer-
ging from the wilderness, we stand upon an emil
nence from which we may look down upon ma
ny ofthe older members of the confederacy. By
a law of Congress the sixteenth section of every
township has been appropriated for the support
of schools. The number of acres thus appropri.
ated amounts to over 100000, the nett proceeds
of which are estimated at $3,696,OOO. Exclu-
sive of the above, seventy-two sections have been
reserved as an endowment of state university
Here, then, we have ample provision, not only
for the primary but also for the higher branches
of education. The common school is most mn
portant in community like ours, because its in
fluence is more generally falt-its blessings more
widely disseminated. BY it, the great body Of
people are benefited, and knowledge is brought
within the reach of all. Darkness is dissspa-
ted-light is scattered abroad over the land-the
resources of the country, which otherwise would
lie dormant, aroused and called into action
the intellectual condition of our citizens is eleva-
ted, and all around puts on bright and joyous
aspect. While in institutions Of higher order,
researches carried into the deep arcana of sci.
| chCc, tno DtuutlcS oi lltcIdtuTc unIOueQ, IN tn3
common school are incucated the solid princi-
pies of action-thc modus operandi of a business
life 1t is this which will secure to those WHO
shall succeed us upon the stage Of being the per-
manent blessings Of education.
Surrounded by the indications of prosperity
on every hand, it is good to stand upon this en-
inence of time and look back upon the history of
past ages, around upon the vast theatre of the
present, and forward into tho fathomless eternity
Of tho future. II is thus that we may learn our
true situation-learn TO estimate our privileges
by contrast with those who have gone before
us. Learn to look upon the world with phi
lanthropist's eye and the heart Of patriot, and
to comprehend in the good of onr, the good Of all.
Education refnes and ennobles every sentiment
of the human heart. Then let us press forward
in the glorious cause until consummation of our
long cherished hopes hall be the reward of our
labour and toll. Let us continue true to the
spirit, the institutions of our fathers, and come
what may upon other portions of the world, we
shall be safe, shall be free, shall be happy, Let
us continue to teach the nations of Europe, the
great lesson we have taught them from the be-
ginning, that intelligence, virtue religion. are the
essential pillars of good government, the only
sure foundation of free republic.