The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-08-23

ToTLE. Here is his opinion:
"That the Education of youth, ought to form
the principal object of the legislators attention
cannot be matter of doubt, since Education first
moulds and afterwards sustains the various modes
of government. The better and more perfect the
system of Education, the better and more perfect
the government it is calculated to introduce and
uphold. In this important object, fellow citizens
are all equally and deeply concerned, and as they
are all united in one common work for one CON-
mon purpose, their Education out to be regulated
by the general concert, and not abandoned to the
blind decision of chance or to idle caprice"
a ARIsToTrLE.
One Of the purest Of the Grecian
philosophers was EplcTETUs. | quote
from him the following most noble SEN
timent:
"You will confer the greatest benefit on your
city, not by raising the roofs, but by exaltug the
souls, Of your young fellow citizens; for is bet
ter that great souls should live in small habitations,
than that abject slaves should burrow in great
houses"
The great leader of the intellect of
modern times, LORD BAcoN, bears his
testimony in favor of the diffusion of
knowledge, in these words:
"Learning doth make the minds of men gentle,
generous, and plant to government whereas ig-
norance makes them churlish, thwarting and mu-
tinous: the most barbarous. rude and unlearned
times have ever been the most subject to tumult,
sedition and changes" LORD BACON.
No names Of men living since the
revival of learning, should have greater
weight with ingenious minds, on this
subject, than those of LOCKE and Mil
TON. Each Of them thought and wrote
largely upon Education, and their opin-
ions, though already quoted, may be
again presented. Observe how all
important is the sphere of Education,
as it is defined by Milton:
81 call, therefore, a complete and generous edu-
cation, that which fits man to perform justly,
skifuly, and fnagnanimously, all the Offices both
private and public, OF peace and war"
JOHN MILTON.
Hear again the words of Locke:
"The well educating of their children is so much
the duty and concern ofparents, and the welfare
and prosperity of the nation so much depend on it,
that would have every one lay it seriously to
heart" JOHN LOCKE.
LORD KAMEs, PALEY. and Dr.. BLAIR
are among the most distinguished of
modern authorities. Mark the strength
of their language:
"Education being Of great importance to the
public as well as to individuals, may well be deem
ed one of the capital articles Of government.
is entitled to the nursing care of the Legislature
for no State ever long flourished where Education
was neglected; and even in a private view, not a
single branch of it is below the attention Of the
gravest writer" LORD KAMEs.
Ito send an uneducated child into the world il
injurious to the rest Of mankind; it is little bette
than to turn mad dog, or wild beast into th'
streets 1t is to defraud community of a benefac
tor and bequeath them nuisance"
WILLIAM PALEY.
knowledge is therefore the best foundation o
happiness" HUGH BLAIR.
MANY at this day delight to quote th'
political wisdom Of BURKE:
"Education is the cheap defence ofnations."
EDMUND BURKE.
But no men have spoken more strong
Fl ly, or with more heartfelt zeal on thi
subject, than the ever glorious found
ers of our own Republic. In May
, l647, this order was solemnly made, il
: all the puritan colonies:
"To the end that learning may not be buried il
the graves of our forefahers, every township; afte
the Lord hath increasd them to the number of fl
ty househodels, shall appoint one to teach all chi
dren to U,ite and read, and where any town sha
increase to the number of one hundred familie.
, they shall set up a Grammar school. the maste
thereof being able to instruct youth SO far as the
f may be fitted for the University"
Il The homes of these puritans wer
not on the fertile soil and in the genia
climate of Ohio. Consider, therefore
how much of the wealth and busines
resources, as we'll as Of the intelligenc,
, moral influence and social happiness c
: their descendants must be owing t
this early provision in favor of Educa
tion. .'iGo ao.
These were the sayings of the foun
der Of the Pennsylvania colony:
"That which makes good constitution mu
, keep il, namely, men Of wisdom and virtue, quail
ties that because they descend not with world ii
hsritance, must be carefully propagated bya vi
tuous Education Of youth"
"Above all things endeavor to bring up childre