Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-02-28


Otherwise. II is as easy 10 turn the popu-
lar breeze against the rights and interests
of the many, in the persons of their edu.
Gated and more knowing, but real friends,
as against their oppressors. The truth is,
the only rational security the great body of
the people can have, is TO be found in the
general diffusion acknowledge among them
selves. Blu; so generally do parents, un-
aided by the sanction and encouragement
of law, neglect the education of their chill
drcn, that the greal mass will remain uned.
ucated, and the multitude Of the rising gene
ration grow up in ignorance Of their duties
as citizens of one vas, commonwealth, un-
less the state cilectually in,erpose its right
full authority, and makes adequate provision
for the instruction of all classes. 1t is true,
The educated few may think such a state OF
| things favorable to their advancement IL
wealth and power; aud II does, generally
speaking, give them tremendous prepon.
deraiing influence. But it is equally true
that it brings with it no security for its con.
tinuance. Of what avail was superior
knowledge in the educated few among the
French people, during the fearful whirl Of
the tornado which swept the monarch from
his throne, and spread desolaion and death
through the length and breadth of the landl
They fell the first victims of its blasting fu-
ry. OF what avail is superior knowledge
in the educated few at the head of affairs
:-.-.iAa Se....i. hrucrIcan ana Mexican re-
| pubics Every new REVOLUTIONARY rev.
oluton succeeds revolution with astonishing
rapidity-ends with the lives of those who
formerly administered the government
There IS and can be no security Of indi.
vidual rights, persons, or property, except
| in an educated and virtuous community
In no other will liberty, or life be regarded.
But though an educated community may
not necessarily be n virtuous, and hence a
safe community, yet it is true in fact, that
an ignorant people are generally q vicious
people. In the midst Of such people
free institutions never did and never can
long subsst and flourish. Nothing bui the
strong arm of power can iHapose upon them
such restraints as will keep them in subjec-
ton TO law, and The rights Of government.
None of the founders of our republic ever
contemplated the possibility of its existence
without education, and they have announ.
ced it in solemn form in all the consttu-
tons of the states. The experience of all
past time has fully proved the truth of the
position already indicated, that unless the
state makes such provision for the cduca.
ton of all classes rs will stimulate all elias.
ses 10 vigorous exertion, the great body OF
the public will forever remain uneducated.
Witness the condition of England. No
general system of public instruction. No
Legislative enactments providing for the ell
ucation Of all classes. No funds set apart,
and no appropriations made to promote and
forward this great work. No government.
al encouragement given, and no laws pas
sed adding weight TO the obligation of pa.
rents to educate their children. Now look
at the result. By private individual exer-
ton, few thousand are yearly educated,
while the many millions Of that vast empire
arc suffercdto grow up in ignorance of their
rights and duties as men and as citizens.-
Among the resolutions Of the British and
Foreign School Society, passed in the month
Of March, 1891, ii is repeatedly admitted
that " England is gel aneducated. In a
speech at TIC WiIberforce meeting, in 1888,
Lord Brougham declares in strong Ian.
guage that in England Ignorance prevails
to horrible extent" The same is true,
though to a much less extent, in most OF
the southern and western states. In some
of our nearest neighbors, muliitudes of chill.
dren and youth are growing up ignorant of
their rights, responsibilities and duties as
citizens of this great and growing republic.
Nothing can arrest this onward march TO
ruin, but the adoption of the most efficient
measures. Unless something eilectual is
done to change the present aspect Of things,
this multitude will increase with a geomet-
rical progression.
In such posture Of affairs, how can the
many secure themselves against the en-.
croachmenis of the few, who are ever ca.
gle.eyed to promote their own personal i'll
tcrcsts ?-they will think for the many
write for the many--declaim for the many
-lcgslale f,r the maryland execute for
the many. But they will be sure TO do all,
think, write, declaim, legslatc, and execute,
so rs 10 subsorvc most certainly and effectu.
ally their own ambitious views and purpo.
SIS Of gain |; is true, all will he proles-
scdy and os;cnsibly done for the public
gool-lo be repaid by that public in heavy
contributions of wealth and power. This
accumulation of wealth and power in the
hands of the aristocracy, may be expected
10 be gradual, and accomplished under col.
or of law, in the form Of grants Of exclu.
sIre privileges; but not on that account any
lie less dangerous TO the liberties, and sub
versve of the free institutions OF this nigh.
,y republic.
To remove all ground of apprehension
from this quarter. the great body OF the peo
pie must be enlightened; to secure our chill
dren against catastrophe SO fatal 10 all tina
is sublime and glorious in the present high
wrought anticipa,ions of the future, they
must be taught those great principles o
freedom and equality, as developed in the
constitution and bill of rights, OH which i
based the whole. superstructurc of our 60
vernment. But thus great work will neve
be accomplished, and the means crestet
and preserved Of perpctusting the liberties
Of the people, without the direct and efficicn
ntcrpositon and action Of the government
of the respective states. The people mus
move their rulers and Legislators to cngag,
heart and hand in this matter, and sustain
them in carrying forward the great work
II can and must be done. The interests O
unborn millions arc suspended upon lis &C
complIshmcnt. low much 10 be deplored
L -