The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-22
Education.

We must press this subject. There is q gen.
eral desire, everywhere, to do something effec-
tive with regard to it, but, at the same time a
general fear that nothing can be done. Fling
doubts 10 the winds, We have the power to
make a great beginning-tO establish a well
devised and thorough system, and what is more
the mans to carry il on and force it through.
We stated last week what New York had ef-
fected for her common schools, and with fund,
in comparison no larger than ours. Let the
following table speak for itself
Kentucky. New York.
School fund. sI,22l,sls 2,l75,5l4 AZ
No. Of Children be-
tween and l6, s5,432 200, 40
Why, our fund is the largest! Taking the
proportion Of children to be taught, by far the
ages who attend the common schools Of New
York. Last year it was 74s ,3S7, exceeding those
between the ages of 5 and Is by AZ ,934! How
is il in Kentucky Who can answer this ques-
ton without pang1
True, her position, in some respects, lie bet
ter. True, also, that she is free from one terri
bic difficulty which besets us. But the great
success Of the common schools in Louisville,
proves that the State has only 10 take hold Of
the subject in earnest 10 insure success in all
parts Of it.
There lie no doubt about the right Of every
man to be instructed. Not that he must seek
instruction for himself-not that he should 90
out Of the way to get tive mean nothing Of
the kind, however strong the individual obliga-
ton may be upon one and all to do this We
mean that the State should put the means Of
education within every mans reach, and see to
II, that her children are taught TO read and
write. And especially must this be the case,
when the State has, a. oun possesses, fund-a
sacred trust-which, II rightly applied, and
wisely managed, would accomplish this great
end!
The character Of Commonwealth is every
thing to her. And what constI lutes that char
aeter1 Intelligence and virtue. 1t may possess
other and great qualities; it may have courage,
and all the physical attributes in the highest per.
fiction; it may be noted for generous impulse
and a warm patriotism; but II it lack these, IL
cannot occupy an elevated or commanding po-
sition. Who at home, likes to hear il said Of a
State, that 0ne-seUenh Of its voting population
cannot read the Bible, or the written charter of
our common liberty Who, abroad, when
hearing such q fact declared, Of any Common
wealth, can associate with it greatness, or those
higher qualities Of mind, and soul, which give
perpetuity TO human hsPpiness7
Nor viii it do, in reply, to point TO distin.
guished statesmen or lawyers, or diVines. We
should rejoice to have such. Itss good and
glorious sign to see and hear them in any state
But how fares il with the mssses-how il IL with
those who know not how TO care for themselves,
and who, If they did, possess no means to ad.
vance their own moral and mental culture p
This is the test question. The exceptions-the
great men who have de6ed all opposition and
risen TO place and position, Zone in ten thou
sand The few who are born to fortune, and who
have their minds cultivated 10 the uttermos,-
cannot be made the rule. Give US the poor bows
Of the poorest hOvels-give us the ragged APP
Prentices in any Of our cities, give us the sons
and daughters Of the tOiling craftsman, or the
stinted farmer, ane let Us know how IL fares
with them, how they are cared for, whether the
social sunlight by which the mountain tops are
lit up, rests also upon the low places, and we
will tell you whether the State has done, and /,
doing, its whole duty.
The Sonth, Kentucky included, is fearfuIly in
the back ground IL iudged hv fhf. -, w
have furnished statistics frequently to show this
And can we doubt a. 10 the ssusss Why