Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-04-27
For The STATE Senffnel.

MEssRs. EDIToRs.-ln your paper Of the 9th of
April there appeared article the subject of the
proposed free school system, signed Liberty" do
pretend to understand the details of the law which
passed the Legislature at its late session. hav-
ing had an opportunity TO examine. But to the
justice of tax for the encouragement Of common
schools, beg leave TO differ with your correspondent.
He says that the people agree unanimously that all
children should have chance be taught and that
this cannot be done without tax, and that such tax
would be unjust
Now the conclusion is that thing ought most GER
tainy be done, and there is but way by which
it be done, and that way unjust Here Is logic
for you.
But another view of the case. If the people agree
unanimously that all children should have a chance
to be taught. then surely the people ought unanimous
ly to ngree far as they able TO their best
and united endeavors bring about an end admitted
by all to be very desirable.
Your correspondent seems TO be perfectly Mortified
at the idea of the Industrious being taxed for the be-
neht of the indolent. presume he would rather
those who happen TO have INDECENT parents grow up
in ignorance, vice and immortality with fair prospects
of becoming inmates of penitentares poor houses
at best of becoming parents of families indoent
and ignorant themselves.
Yes the very man who is SO fearful of priestcraf,
is willing TO stand aloof and great part of the
rising generation grow up with minds and sentiments
properly calculated to become the subjects of that
very priestcraft he much breads.
Tyranny of every description has been most
successful where knowledge was not generally diff
fused.
l submit the question to every candid mind, on
which side lies the advantage to country, in
situations, poserity, and honor whether
in leaving schools to langush for want Of means,
or in using our best endeayors to establish system
of free schools in which all may be instructed
If it can be proven that the more uneducated per-
sons we have among US, the greater our security from
priestcraft, tyranny and demagoguism, (of all of
which Liberty has such dread,) then will yield
the point, and conceds that it is both unjust and u
lcise tax the people for purpose the consequences
of which might be dangerous TO our liberties.
| Ii is common a thing when man fails for
guments any political subject, to hear him raise
the cry of liberty, that it has almost become matter
Of course.
| Now | ask in all seriousness, whether it would be
inconsistent with liberty for the people of Indiana, of
their own accord to establish law which would re-
quire tax to be paid by themselves!
The subject of education Is of such importance 10
every cizeu of the State both collectively and ind-
vdually, that it is somewhat surprising to so
many who seem careless and Indifferent about the
condition of our schools, and when the only possible
means for their benefit is proposed, they ready
exclaim against such measure, impeach the conduct
of its friends of them of mercenary designs,
of intriguing pts for the purpose of stripping the peo
pie of their money. And what is all this for Not
surely because they doubt the advantages OF educa-
ton. 1t must have its origin in deep-rooed sort of
avarice that grudges every that it is compelled
to renqush for the general good, else is to be
attributed high arstocratlc spirit, that likes not
to see the common people enjoy those privileges
which may place them on an equality with itself.
| One more argument and have done. The follow
ing is from Washington's Farewell Address. l.
breathes spirit Of patriotism that should stimulate
ever true American. After speaking of some of the
dangers to which this country exposed, he says,
as the most effective mode of avoiding them
'Promote, then, object Of primary import
ance institutions for the general diffusion of know
ledpe In proportion as the structure of q govern
ment gives force public opinion, it is essential that
public opinion be enlightened"
If the common people are slow of apprehension, as
our friend Liberty" seems to think, then would in
vte the attention of every to the above quotation
both on account of the high source whence it came,
and for the good common sense and reason it con-
tains. flClNOS.
Putnam County, Russell T0Vnship, Indiana. April
| Is, 1S46.