The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-17
October II, 1914.

Il are furnished. 10 greater or ies'
egree, to all Il; and all, whether indiyldu
10 or communities, are accountable lo
8 ne right improvement of them. ms &C.
ountability rests, with peculiar we'gh
pom US, in connexion with The suolec' o
iucation-vitalIy connected, as 1t u.s. no.
nly with our individual well being, but
i,h the preservation and perpetuty OF The
lslitu,ons we are permitted TO enjoy, and
bouired to transmit 10 our children
h,ese institutions will inevitably, take the
haracter OF the people, whatever that
buracter may be. The best constitutions
government can lnterpose but feeble
hrrier to the corrupting influences OF lg-
ORANGE and moral debasement. Their
sau,itul and solid structures will sink and
umble, when they shall cease to res! on
e foundations of public and private viz
g ard universal intelligence.
Thi. obvious !ruth is fall of instruction
those upon whom rests the responsible.
of making laws Their duty is but
If performed when they have made laws
govern the people. 1t is a higher and
ore difficult duty 10 adopt system OF le-
FsIalion which shall have the effect Of
aking the people law, AID good and
81 fe law, 10 themselves. The most efti-
eat laws are those which govern, not by
. power of the sword, but by the silent
ffaence of virluous and enlightened prin-
pie. To educate people, then, becomes
indispensable part of legisla'ion-an
bpropriale and necessary instrument for
keculing the laws-an instrument far
ore efficient than the strongest military
rec; while at the same time, it gives 10
State high minded, vlrtuous, Intelligent
en-, to become its strength, its defence,
bd its glory.
Blu. what is education 1t is moi mere
the learning which numbers the brain.
is the discipline of The mind and the
{ Eart-developing their capacities, strength
I ling lhe, powers, and training them 10
aclica usefulness. Our children should
learned to think--to dlscriminate-to
ri the conscious power OF cultivated ln>
Iect. and the purifying, and elevatlng in-
lence Of christian principle. Ana this
ucalion should be universal, reaching
Z humble hovel as we'll as the spacious
ansion, and thus bringing on! The child
u OF the poor and the h, 10 drink to-
Z ,ther at The enlarged fountains of lnowl>
20 which we should open for all.
10 accomplish The purpose ct educating
is whole people. in manner suited to
lslain our free institutions, we obviously
.ed more elevated standard OF common
hool instruction. There is 100 wide
&1asm between liberal aud common
ducu,ion. The higher should not BE-
Fought down, but the lower raised Gfea'
oli,ica responsibilities rest on our peo'
lie, involving the NJ cessily Of high state
general Intelligence. They are TO
dye not only Of the personal qualIfica-
BIAS OF candidates for ofti:e, but OF the
b ..acter and tendency of measures. and
force and beari'g Of great principles.
Fhey must be able to correct errors OF
1T, detect false reasoning, and Pul dema
opues TO silence.
And the road TO distinction should be
,ade broader. We waa! la high public
,o.ions more men who have been trained
b maturity amid the scenes oi ordinary
Pfc. Industry, patience, perseverance, com
hon sense, sympathy Tor tho labor"g
s Elasses, contempt for the mere distinction
I office, and ii love of the noble Objects it
ives The power TO accomplish these are
nonc he fruits Of an Intellectual and
aoral training amidst the the labors and
y rails of common life. The mass of mind
s BIS it comes up to maturity. may, by
Droper system of education, be disciplined
+ o a yigor, and furnished with an amount
3 81 knowledge. fitting Cor almost aHy sta
ION, not involving The necessity OF probes
y lonal skill for It's success.
| do not undervalue the higher sem'na
les, They must be sustained establish
I ed Upon solid toundarons-placed beyont
n he reach of embarrassment! and want M
sdcocale SYSTEM of education can be sus
4niu.d without them. They are import
ant not only 20 train instructors aud n
men for the learned professions. bot t
Smaintain high standard OF education IN
g.ommuai,y. Tney are like the sun shin
: ing in his strength, and communicating
+ liGht and heat TO the. bodies by which b.
z ;s surrounded. But five would sustain
hem, let us elevate The standard OF com
3 NOR educotion, for in proportion as that
done, will the higher Institutions oe NOR
valued, and more libera!ly paaonized am
endowed; while there will be, through
GU. the community, greatly lncreasln!
thirs, for the water that comes from Ihes'
( deeper and purer fountains
The great desideralum in regard t
common education is, improced n Odes o
teachimg,-modes by which the hnher'
great waste of time NAV be avoided--th
mind stimulated to activity -lraloed
habits of self relying effort, and learned
go alone" as it shall be thrown Upon II