Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-01-26

sF The following, from the N. Y. Sun,
is full Of sound sense, and deserves to be
attentiveIy considered, and executed, PRAc-
TIcALLY, by all rulers and Legislators. 1t is
greatly to be regretted that many men would
sooner give thousands to be expended in de-
bauchery and senseless state, or upon useless
armies than tens to advance popular edu-
In the matter of schools, or whatever-the
postal rates, for instance-tends to improve
the education Of the people, every govern
ment should esteem Of the first importance,
and encourage in every possible manner. II
a government desires the strength, prosperity,
and happiness Of its people. or if it be based
upon liberal principles, it will seek to edu-
cate them for its own safety and harmony as
much as for their welfare. In this country,
where the sovereignty belongs to the people,
every direction and coloring, almost, of the
State, depends upon the culture Of the people.
The more expansive and genuine their in
telligence, the more refined, exalted -and
powerful will be their manifestations through
out society and in the nation.
BURKE has said, that Education is a
cheap defence of nations" and it is the
wide-pervading intelligence Of the American
people that forms their proudest bulwark Of
defence, as well as engine Of assault
Through intelligence, and this in its tenden-
cies is mainly attributable to education, a
people came to appreciate their rights in
unity, and to battle together in putting down
whatever is counter to their ideas of right.
That government is easily and harmoniousIy
administered which appeals directly to the
intelligence of its subjects. Here, where
government is but reflection of the masses,
It is seldom d,scordant, and never anarchial,
because it results from the intelligence Of a
majority of the people. A nation in igno-
rance is governed by arbitrary force-it can
not appreciate, nor will it yield, as does the
intelligent nation, to reason.
Hence, our schools take the place, and
save the expense Of military fostresses-they
make the whole people standing army, ever
ready to battle for their interests and rights.
because they understand them. Every new
step that advances the right education OF the
people destroys one more chain in the link
Of military and police forces behind which
Governments have formerly entrenched them
selves, and renders the machinery Of Co
vernmen,s less complicated, more harmo-
NOUS, and more certain of permanence. A
people like ours, thoroughly educated. and
Of the right morals, might safely dispense
with all standing war establishments, and
turn over the revenue devoted to them to a
school fund for whenever assaulted, such
a people would be but one huge self-acting
war machine, which, in peace, would bear
none of the signs devices nor costs of war.
Education, the diffusion Of general 'ntei'l-
gence, is what makes good and great nat'ons
and governments, therefore its promotion Is
never secured st too great care or cost, no
matter what the means, 30 long as they are
good. Schools, newspapers. books, cheap
postage, or whatever aids in educaiing
neepje 10 compQehend their true position IN
the community Of state. the people and the