The Arkansas banner., 1843-10-14

The necessity of General Intelligence in Free Goeernmeaf-Whenth the people go- vcrn, they should be virtuous and intelligent They should be not only willing to obey the laws, but competent to make them. The very foundation of republican government IS based on good morals, and general diff fusion of knowledge among the whole people. Knowledge is not only essential to the pros perity of free government, but absolutely necessary to its existence; it is at once the vital principle and the sustaining power. The experience of the past has told us, that wherever there has been mental and moral light, there has been liberty; and wherever the people were ignorant, there was slavery. Since this is so, ignorance, which might be misfortune in another country, IS a crime in this: especially, since the means of know ledge are within the reach of every individ- ual. In this republic, the intelligence of each individual is the depository and defence of his liberty. The free institutions of the United States are not secured by armies, re- venues, or constitutions, but by universal education The education of the people stands in the place of armies, bulwarks, and d throne. Knowledge and virtue are not only power and happiness, but they are ''Li6erty.o
 In the first place, knowledge Is necessary to perceire tke nature and ualue of literary and cieil institutions. The hali-educated may know enough to desire these, but not enough to respect and sustain them. The illiterate cannot see the nature and object of I ;,I, d., mind, and raise the intellectual and moral condition of natlon-to increase the neces- saries, and furnish the excellencies of life and to let man feel and know the greatness of his nature. This can be known by those only who have felt the power, and tasted the pleasures of knowledge; and such institu- tions can be established and sustained by those only who can estimate their exalting influence. The nature and value of civil institutions, the educated will much better and honor. A high degree of knowledge IS requisite to see the nature and necessity of civil government. Mans weak ness makes society desirable, and his wicked ness makes government necessary. This government he supports to protect his life, his property, and his natural rights. The great object of government Is to preserve order and distribute justice. The intelligent can estimate the value of such public check and judge; for they can see the consequences of the seltishness and maliciousness of men.
 Men, living in civil government, have natural and civil rights; and knowledge be- comes necessary Mat they may kno'o achen justice IS administered. And, in the first place, men should know what their rights arejs how many them they have surren- ] dered up to the general government, that they may enjoy its protection and the advan- tagc, of society, and what rights they have retained, and of which nothing should deprive them.
 Hating learned their rights, they shouldI know whether or not they were respected by their rulers When there is fraud and injustice on the part of those who govern, the governed should be intelligent enough to know t, aid able to defend themselves The natural love of power, and the extreme sell iishness of man, should excite him for pre- paration to judge of those who are in office, and have the opportunity of gratifying these oppressive principles. Respect and ahedd; !
  the. guardians and ministers of that govern ment which has been established for the pro- motion of human happiness. But corrupt rulers may forfeit their claims by personal wickedness and public injustice; and if this should take place, the public should be able o perceive II, and stop the abuses before heir liberties are in danger
 On the other hand, the half-educated know lot when their government is well adminis- cred. They are discontented and clamorous when they have their rights, and all the blessings of. a well ordered administration. They know not the value of the privileges hey enjoy, and are always ready for a change Il their rulers. They see not the eXcellen- ,ies of their civil .institutions, and do not feel espect enough for them to preserve them. h government where the people not only make the laws, but select those who are to administer them, there is tie most imperious for high intelligence and moral worth in every individual. The people should well understand their government, and be qualified to know that it is ably and justly administered; or whether it is not made the instrument of gratifying the ambi- ton of the few, and ot destroying the rights and of expressing the many. The people should be educated, to know whether or not they are restrained by any law which does not conduce to the greatest private and gen. eral good. The people may see evils, but they ought to be able to take that general view of the whole which would show them advantages If there were such) which more than overbalance these evils.
 In this government, justice is very often administered by jury; and as this jury is taken from among the people, all should prepare themselves for being called upon to apply the law, and judge of the rights of their fellow-men. In the inferior courts of justice, the people are the judicial as we'll as the legislative part of the government These important offices demand intelligence Ill every citizen. When those who are to be chosen for jurors are known 10 be ignorant