Indiana State sentinel., 1848-04-13
For the Indiana State Sentinel.

MesSrS. Editors: In your last "weekly" see an
article over the signature of Liberty preceded by
short editorial on the subject of the new school law
As have never seen the law itself am unable TO
judge of the merits of the act but to of the
gumerts of the article alluded to, would make a
few suggestions by way of reply.
As farmer, and a tax payer, would beg leave TO
differ with my friend from Hawcreek" as 10 conSe-
9uenceS IN some particulars.
That there too many parents entirely indiffer-
ent to the education of their children s fact too
torous to be denied by any but that this is an
argument against the establishment of system ot
free schools is far from my view of the matter On
the contrary, 1t Is strong argument in favor of such
system. Now, it is a fact, notorious to all, that
the indifferent ones, not confined to the poorest
classes but TO those (n the main) who fully able
to educate them well but who consider it much better
to give their children farm than education
Hence we find all such violently opposed to every
effort of the kind because it will require them
contribute to the schooling of the poor children Sc
much as because it requires him TO school his own
more than he thinks necessary. / have said he OBJ
jects to it not account of the poor children my
reason for this remark is found in the fact (we eS.
tablished) that TO every taxpayer acho has children
school, well dgested system Of free schools afords
him more tuition for the same money, than he could
have by simply subscribing and paying for his own
Then there is the benefit conferred upon the poor Sc
much entirely clear gain. Do you ask, how can thi.
be ! / answer, by drawing upon the wealthy old
Bachelor who has a great deal of property and nc
children. But my friend from "Hawcreek," will ask
ais this consistent with liberty 7" To this answer
if our Liberties be worth what they cost for their es
tablishment, by our Revolutionary sres, they are
surely worth perpeuaton at any reasonable expense
And if unirersa suffrage is the plus ultra of civil
liberty universal education is certainly essential to
judcious exercise of it. And again If ignorance il
the fruitful of idleness and crime, and these
/ tbo Of in tha lvil
ernment is it not cheaper in the long to pay
small tax for the prevention of crime, than large
for its punishment
The reasoning of our friend on the supposition tha
this is trick of the CLERGY is certainly very llogi
CAL How are the ''priests'' to impose upon the com
munity, and "make their living off of the ndusri
Gus! 2" Certainly not by educating them Ignoranc
is the soil in which priestcraft lourishes most sue
cessuly. 1t withers ard dies in the sunshine of sci
ence and literature. Even our friend has made tn,
discovery (by the light of learning no doubt "tha
among them are the most decetfu aud wicked of al
classes J"
had not the pleasure of attending the education
convention last May. being as our friend suggests
planting and repanting and tending [my] corn.
But have the happiness of knowing, and take plea
sure in informing my friend that il was attended b
many philanthropic and benevolent men, who wou
scorn to lend themselves 10 the furtherance of the dc
signs of any combination of clergy or hity, tha
had for it's object the oppression Of the people,
| would suggest further to my friend in all kind
ness, that it is altogether inconsistent with the LIE
ERTY in which he glories. and which he has cho
sen to write as a signature, TO Impugn the motives
and endeavor to backen the character of all those tha
may engage in, or advocate any thing that he doe
not approve. True liberty consists in free exer
else and expression of opinion all subjects, eithe
political. religious moral
But have already trespassed further than intend
ed upon the patience Of your readers. shall there
fore conclude with requesting te different printers
who may copy "Liberiys" article to copy this also.
TAX PAYING FARMER.