The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-05-21
WooDsrIELD, May 2l, 1851.
SCHOOL MEETING.

- SCHOOL MEETING.
There will be meeting of the members
of the Monroe County Common School
Association, held in the town of Lewsvile,
in said county, on Saturday, the 7th day
Of June next, at o'clock, p. M, and we
again respectfully solicit the attendance Of
those feeling themselves interested in the
GREAT CAUSE OF EDUCATION, as we think
it is their duty to attend.
JOHN BELL, Sec'y.
LEwIsvILLE, May 8, 1851.
" Go on, good friends about Lewis
vile. To our knowledge there are some
Of the right grit among you. Prosperity
will bless you. Your object is glorious
and magnificent. Nothing is better cal
culated to make better people than better
system Of fEDUcArloN-better school houses
and better teachers.
No one with his eyes open, need be told
about the want OF comfort and convenience
which exist almost throughout this part of
our State. Let us try ourselves to do what
we force our children TO do, and then we
will see the truth of this assersion. Come
with US TO the school house-sit drawed
on those wooden.horses from eight to nine
hours every day. View the miserable
writing desks; the difficulties Of the teach
er for want Of classification among his pu-
pills arising for want Of class books, &c.
Then tell me whether we need reform or
not.
Fathers! Mothers! Can it be necessary
to beg. that you will pause, and consider
well, before you place your children in
circumstances which will put in jeopardy
all their most precious interests and COM
forts. Have we the souls OF freemen?
Are we desirous of maintaining and trans
miting unimpaired to posterity, the dearly
purchased rights and spirit of our patriot
fathers. We think we are willing. Let
us guard them then. o let us guard and
try to enforce with sacred care, a system
of good common school education, which
will fit our children Tor their coming re-
sponsiblities; and make our beloved coun-
try grand and glorious.
A few learned men is not all we want.
II IVA ,v; oh IN ha fraa ,ya nust educate all
No country in the world owned more
learned and greater men than France; at
time when her cities were like vast
slaughter houses in human blood. Our
liberties must be guarded by the people.
Our people must possess abilities to guard
our liberties.
Those who are accustomed to reflect on
the nature and history of human society,
know that general education; lie at the
foundation Of all that is precious, vital,
and necessary for the we'll being, and very
existence of our free and liberal institu-
tons. Ii is so extensive and command
ing, that we are impelled to cry aloud,
until we will be heard and felt by every
citizen. Monroe county has men within
her bounds second to few in the State-for
accuteness, shrewdness, and other Won
derfllly adapted kind of abilities. Some
Of their names will be transmitted TO gen.
crations yet unborn as guardians and
champions Of our Constitution. Let our
most valuable men come and take an in
terest in popular education. We want
virtue and talents to come out now. We
need not look TO the demagogue who in
deed may have abilities-but they are
employed to catch the tone of every class
with which he chances to mingle. He
can discern the signs Of the times, with
miraculous sagacity. He has no faith for
any doctrine-no zeal for any cause
Hark how he sneers or keeps silent when
those speak who are anxious for reform.
Fidelity for principles to him is mere dull
ness. What is there in the State he would
not join in defending or destroying could
he but gain an Office! Ambition which in
. well regulated mind may be partly a vir-
tue, now becomes prostituted-disjoined
from every elevated and philanthropic
sentiment becomes scarcely less hateidl
than avarice. Politics he does not regard
rs useful and necessary science; the OBJ
ject of which is the happiness Of mankind,
but as an exciting game Of chance, and
skill, which the lucky player who is dex-
trous gambler may win fortune.
D. C.