Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-10-19

oat II is always proper to enforce the truth
contained in self evident propositions upol
the minds Of community. Were the en-
lightened theories of the age fully con
firmed by the practice of the people; ,
very different state Of things would exist
Theory is always a half century in ad
vance of practice. especially in whatevel
pertains to the moral and social condition
of mankind. That knowledge is power, is
universally conceded: that it is a species
OF power conducive to the best interests oi
society, and essential to the maintenance
OF republican form Of government, is a
truth generally admitted. There is how
ever, great danger of treating the acquisi-
ton OF knowledge as a secondary conside-
ration, and thus suffering the best interests
OF the people to become supplanted by OBJ
Jects OF far less value.
In the west the condition of the people
is peculiar: they are far more exposed to
danger from the neglect of education and
a disregard to the attainments of knowl-
edge, than the inhabitants of the older
states. The people Of the west are in the
midst OF excitements--the rapid changes
in society-the progress Of improvements
and the constant presentation Of new de-
velopements in the country, keep the mind
continually engaged. The acquisition of
wealth is passion proverbially western,
and one which in many instances diverts
the attention from the cause of education.
Many of our farmers and business men,
seem to regard the attainment of property
as the thing most desirable, and the edu-
cation Of their families matter to be at
tended to at more convenient season.
This is wrong-radically wrong. Far
better would it be for fathers and mothers
who have families, to live in thatc led cot
tages and educate their children, than TO
dwell in splendor and magnfcence, and
suffer their offsprings TO grow up in igno-
rance. A good school house is far more
credtablc to neighborhood, whose inha-
bitants are tenants Of log cabins, than are
costly dwellings to neighborhood witho ut
a comfortable school house.
Notwithstanding our country is new,
and the existence Of Wisconsin as the ha-
bltation Of civilization is comparatively Of
but yesterday, yet the means for acquiring
knowledge are ample. BUTTE parents in
Wisconsin can be excusable for suffering
their children TO grow up uneducated.-
The avenues TO knowledge are various,
and within the reach Of the most humble
and unblcst with the smiles Of fortune
Books are cheap, and the methods Of IN
structon have become so simplifed, that
the attainment Of the sciences is rendered
possible for almost every condition of learn
ers. Books Of instruction in the several
branches Of literature, have become so
well adapted to every exigency of the STU
dent, that those who do not enjoy the ad-
vice ofteachers, may Notwithstanding make
proficiency in the sciences by application
and diligence.
Our common schools should be the con-
slant object ofour solicitude, and their ear
ly establishment and support, should have
the ascendency over every work Of philan-
thropy or improvement. They are the pa
ladium of our future liberties. and the hope
Of our republican perpetuity. Nothing but
the most pressing necessity should induce
any neighLorhood however small, to neg
lect the support Of a common school. To
suffer the rising generation to grow up I'M
educated, is to leave unguarded the aven-
ues to vice, to crime, and to the reign of
anarchy.
1t is true that our common schools la
Dor under many Disadvantages, owing to
the imperfection of our system and regu-
lations; and especially in this county are
there discouragements the present year,
in the support of common schools-wo
have no available school fund; therefore
the several school districts must necessa-
rily depend upon their own resources for
the payment of teachers wages. We hope
this condition of things will not again &C.
cur il future years. The history Of the
past has fully demonstrated, that common
schools can never be made efficient when,
upon voluntary association and
effort. 1t has tendency 10 shut out the
great mass, especially the poorer classes
from the benefit of public instruction.
Besides, neglect OF the part of the 60
vernment or the proper authority, to make
pecuniary provisions for the support of
schools is a departure from the law of right