The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-08-02
EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN.


How many parents are there who struggle on
through years of toll, from poverty to competence
and from competence TO wealth, for the purpose oi
leaving money to their children, andIyet make no
determined exerton to secure their education.
II your children are ignorant, though you leave
them fortune in money, you have, by false econ
omy, withheld from them that knowledge which
alone can secure them in its stability and proper
enjoyment 1t were better for mans children if
they be left TO cope with the world educated and
pennilcss than ignorant and wealthy. Would you
arm your child with the power of self protection
against the wickedness and imposition of the
world: Give him education. Do you seek TO
place your offspring in situation where they may
by their own eXertion, ascend TO the elevation
which Cad ssigned them in the economy of crea-
ton' Educate them. If you would give them
the consideration and influence among their fellow
men which is conceded to intelligence aone--if
you would prepare them for their own highest
happiness and for their duties as good citizens you
can do it in no other way than by giving them an
education.
Do not say that you have no time 10 educate
your Children or that you are too poor, or that you
i've too far from school. All these difficulties
will be overcome when you reflect upon the i'm
portance Of the subject Let every naighboThood,
where there is nd school, aud where the children
cannot read and write, assemble and procure a
teacher permanently if they can, or at least until
Al, l,:J
the foundation for acquiring information from
books by their own industry. If teacher cannot
be procuredl assemble on Sundays, or at ether
convenient times, aud let those who can, teach
those who can not--and even thus, it would not
be long until every family would possess this key
to a store of know ledge and wisdom which is
ineXhaustibe and far more valuable than money.
Are you father or a mother, willing to see
your children grow UP around you in ignorance
destitute even of the means OF acquiring lnforna-
ton by readng-dependen upon the honesty and
intelligence Of others in matters which pertain 10
their higher interest! We can not believe it -
All who have arrived at years of maturity have
seen and felt the advantages Of an education or
tlc Wdht Vi IT, " see tllat HtetiStHCe rules lne
world and that is this alone which sepal ates us
from and raises us above the brute creation.
We have but recently heard more than one per-
son say that they would give all the property they
possessed for common school education, and that
their children should not 20 out into the world
lacking this essential element of their happiness,
aud independence
This is the spirit which would actuate every
parent il they once aroused to the importance
Of the subject both to their own families and to
The country.
Why dnes the South nger in the rear of many
IF her sister States in the present rapid march of
intelligence aud science, and consequent prosper
y' Is it not because we have refused TO adopt an
stlicen general system Of education, sustained by |
he taxing power, and carrying its benefits to
Every child within our borders? Doubtless this Is
he cause. Let the people arouse themselves TO
he importance of this subject--let parents and all
patriotic citizens reflect that upon the virtue and
Intelligence Of each succeeding generation depend
he permanence of republican institutions, and its
attendant blessings, individual liberty security and