The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-27
An Address
TO THE PEOPLE OF MONROE COUNTY

county, committee to prepare and
publish to the people Of the county, an
Address upon the subject of Common
Schools. We need scarcely premise
that cur Common Schools are in la
mentable condition; that they are the
subject of much complaint. and many
serious grievances. 1t cannot be dis
guised, tina! whilst we may with no
little pride congratulate ourselves upon
the fact, that Ohio, has, within the short
space Of torty-6ve years, risen to be
one Of the most populous and flourish
ing States in the Union. Although she
has passed with unparalleled rapldity
into influence and power, and now oc-
cupies a proud position amongst her
sister States in the Republic; yet IN ad-
vancing and sustaining her Common
Schools; in providing an universal sys-
tenn of education for her children; Of
correct, sound, mental and moral cul-
lure, for all classes of her citizens; such
system as will teach her youth to dis
charge Alright the multilarious duties,
which must one day devolve upon them
as men and as citizens, she has been
culpabIy and censurably negligent
Boast as we may of the rapid growth
of our population; Of the wealth of our
internal resources; of the beauty and
utility of our expensive public improve
ments, we are still far behind many Of
our sister States in that ishest of all
improvement-th that noblest of all hu-
man progresson-the cultivation oil the
mind and the heart Of our growing pop
ulation. We need system Of uniUer-
sal instruction. One that will extend
the priceless boon the benign blessings
of education to every child in the State.
Such an one only, will enable our
youth, when they take our places upon
the active theatre of life, to appreciate
properly the blessings and privileges
bequeathed to them by their fathers; to
preserve them untarnished and in full
vigor, and when they too, shall be
called "to give an account OF their
stewardship" hand them down unim-
paired 10 their children. .. m. f..
New England has almost perfected
her system of Common School instruc-
ton. She has extended the blessings
of a liberal education TO every child
within her borders. And yet in our
manufacturing, agricultural and COM
mercla resources, and in all those fa-
cilities by which we are surrounded,
and which so pre-emincn,ly distinguish
US as State, we are greatly her supe-
rior. But with all her disadvantages
land naturally they are many she is
characterized for the wealth, industry,
prosperity and happiness OF her enter
prising population. In hardy, thrifty,
industrial energy, but more particularly
in that inventive capacity which ena-
bles one hand to do The work of thous.
ands, she has no equal in the Union.-
And what else but her system Of Com
mon Schools, and the interest she has
taken in developing the intellect Of her
peo pie, could, despite her many natural
disadvantages, give her this superiority?
Even Massachusetts alone, accord
ing to her population, produces every
year fifty per cent more property than
any other State in the Union9 Her
system of Common Schools, and its
valuable accompaniment, have produc-
ed this interesting result. General intel
ligence has ever been, is, and ever ,Dil
be, 1--WE care not how adverse extrane-
GUS circumstances may be, the soul Of
successful enterprise. "
New York has also improved her
Common Schools. Her people are ac-
tive and awake upon the subject, and
soon, very soon, will the education Of
her youth be accomplished, and the an
ticipations and wishes of the friends of
the system, in the old Empire State,
end in full and happy fruition. Surely
the people of Ohio, richly endowed
as they are with the gifts; and basklng