New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-09-09
The Mechanics ON Free Schools
~ n n d N 20

vellow Mechanics! Work ers Of whatever name
mr. occupation Citizens of every class OF this great
Empire Statel
We are called to act, at coming election
upon one of the greatest questions if not the most
1oomentous one, that ever did or ever can agtate
a Free People. Shall Or shall we not have Schools
Free to All children Of the Commonwealth, Of what
ever condition or calling
Il being question whose decision will not only
affect the interests of those now on the stage
action, but will continue to radate its good or evil
effects in an increased ratio of power upon those
who are to rise up in our places, to guide the ship
of State, and hold in trust the Charter of Human
Liberty, il is our duty to act with that considera.
ton which shall result in the accomplishment Of
the greatest good. To this end we should suffer
no preiudices to bias our judgments, no personal
piques to warp our feelin gs-no mercenary motives
to tbwart our generous impuses,-but rather con.
slider the subiect calmly in all itn bearings then
rise above all selfish feelings and act wholly for
the good of our Race and for those who yet
toe young TO feel, know and act for Themselves
Believing then, that the establishment of sys-
tenn of Free Schools is called for by right and just
ice, this Convention should not shrink from urging
upop every citizen of this State who believes that
the child should be Grained up in the way he
sbould co." that "Knovledge is Power" to put
bis shoulder TO the work and help to triumphantly
sustain the decision onCe made by the People, that
our Schools shall be Free
There il no one, probably among all the op.
parents of tire measure, that will deny the great
and inestimable worth Of good education, or that
Republican institutions can never live and thrive
among an ignorant people, They all admit these
truths, yet many of them will deny any right to
Government TO dituse intelligence among it's sab
jects They seem to forget that it is to Govern
met they are indie bted for their success and their
right to acquire and hold Property-thst it is the
intelligence of the People that makes their rights
respected
Property is acquired by Labor-bp we ating and
toiline 1t is the strong sinews and muscles that
fill the cofiels of the world. 1t ia by the iutslli
geDce and industry OF its people that Nation
proepers and grows rich. II that industry is
GUIDED by knowledge, the rise OF the Nation 70
power and renown is Just in proportion to the per.
lection of their knowledge The truth OF this ia
seen in the striking contrasts that are found
wherever ignorance or knowledge Is enthroned
spd is strongly exhibited between the Sc0tchman
and the Hottenfot the European and the lndGn,
the Ensliahmsn and the Australian, or the people
Of the United States and the people OF Mexico.
IFS Nations wealth is wrought ont by the toll
of s 80 bjectsiits greatness is built up by those
suhiects-it must follow that IT owes them recipro'
ca obligations. 1t should secure to them the great
eat amount OF good possible in all things concerning
thelr temporal AUhUB anu open W tD6ul huCn
streams of light as shall tend to enlarge their men
tai powers and increase their comforts and pleas
ureE thereby improving their condition 10 all re-
spects while at the same time it would build bul.
warh of defense in the hearts of it's subjects that
no enemy could break down
In the words of one of EdpcRtiona most able
champions 1.-THE State in its SOVEREIGN capacity
has The deepest interest in this matter II it
would spread the means of intelligence and self
culture over it's entire surface, making them difu-
sVe ss sunshine, causing them TO penetrate IN
every hamlet and dwelling ard like the vernal sun
quickenps into life the seeds OF usefulness aud
worth, wherever the prooga al hand of Virtue may
have scattereo them; il would call into existence
an order of men who would establish broader ba
sis for its prosperity and give brighter luster to
its name-who would improve lts arts, impart wis.
dom to it's counsels, and extend the benehcent
sphere of its charitieH \ ct hot for its sake
only should it assume this work. 1t is corAllsry
from the sxioms Of its Constitution that every child
born within ts borders, ahould be enlightened. In
its psternal character it ia bound even 70 those
who can make no requtal. Sacredly is it bound to
develop all the existing capacities, and to secure
the utmost astainabe weilbeipg OF that vast crowd
aud thrope of men who, without being known dur
ing life beyond the ueighhoriDg hls-Without eay
ing any proud name behind them after death, still
by their life long industry fill up, As it were, drop
by drop, the mighty stream Of the country pros.
perity,
There ia not barbsrous nation that has any kpecl
ic established government, but ak ample Prov.
sion for the comparatively superior education oisa
heir Of sovereignty. How much more needtu then,
that oil should be prepsred for thsT responslblll'
ties where all born to the right TO hold and eX-
efcise controlling power!
ua the State and property holders who resp the
increased value that honest Industry gives every
thing.
The poor daylaborer receives only stipsated
p,tance OF four six, or tee shillings for hs days
TOLL which with the vicisstuaes that surround
him, is too often barely enough to keep together
the body and soul Of those dependent on his hands
Tor support. Now his toll, combined with that OF
his fellows, may have the effect 70 increaRe the
vsue Of property il the vicinity, hse, ten fifteen,
or even one hundred per cent yet 1Oes he receive
any Of the pecunary benefit II falls to the lot of
the property holders aud tents TO Increase ths dis
parity, and is even too often used to augment the
poor mans misery.
ssThis being the case, and no one can truly deny
It. who will look at the facts as they exist--is is
hut Justice that Property, inasmuch ss il Ia the
creation Of the State gathered by the hand Of toll
and held in trust by its citizens for their prssent
use, TO be transmitted TO coming gener sSiors,
should be used by the Stase to snnoble and elevate
thNse, by giving 10 all the people the Of that
light and knowledge which sh&ll enable them
rightly to und ersrand iheir responsibihsien aRd
duees as sentient beings and citizens Of coamon
Republic
Let the opposers of Fl 10 Schools make tho.
rough ard candid examination Of all cur ais Pris.
ona and other places OF criminal punishmert-!et
aim look into the records OF our Courts and zee
what startling disparity Is exhibited between the
uneducsted ard those possessing common school
education. Let bin bit down with an unbiased
mind and conssm plate even In hs own circle nj az
quslntance the great difference in the capacity Of
these Of equal natural abiiitiea who are educated
and those who are not. Let him sum up the adj
vantsges that would accrue to himself to them.
selves and to the community, were they possessed
o. the knowledge 20 be acquired Ia welctnduct-
I'd Common eehool. Let MIN 20 into . nesghhor.