The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-28
HORACE MANN.

HORACE MANN
We deeply regret the contemplated retire
ment of Horace Mann from Congress at the
close Of the next session, and nothing could
reconcile us to it but the prospect of his cleo
ton as Governor of the State which he has
represented.
He was born in the year 1916, of highly re-
spectacle, though poor parents. His only edu-
catonal advantages were such rs were fur
nlshed by the district schools in those days.
But he made the best use Of them, and fought
his way to college, entering Brown University in
his twentieth year. After graduation, he de-
voted himself to the study Of law but was soon
appointed tutor of Latin and Greek In 1926
he established himself in his profession at Ded-
ham, and obtained an extensive practice In
1927 he was elected member of the House
OF Representatives. In 1884, removing to BOs-
ton, he was chosen member Of the Senate in
1886, President of that body and in 1887, Sec
rotary OF the Board of Education, which Office
he held till the year lS49 when he was elect
ed to fill the vacancy in Congress occasioned
by the death of John Quincy Adams, and he
has since been twice reelected to that seat.
His life has been devoted to the highest inter-
ests OF mankind, and he has always signalized
himself by his enlightened efforts in behalf of
Education, temperance, the relief of the In
sane, and the abolition Of imprisonment for debt
and since his advent at Washington he has
stood forth as one of the most eminent of the
champions of Freedom.
From a brief sketch of his life in one of our
exchanges, We copy the following extract:
He called the attention of the public to the
condition of the insane, and by his untiring
efforts the Hospital at Worcester was built
The aim of his legislative action was to re-enact
the natural laws of God into the statutes of
the people. His greatest achievement in the
Legislature of Massachusetts, was the establish
ment of the Board of Education This was
almost wholly his work. But to make it effect
i've, Secretary was required, who should de-
vote great energy to the work. Mr.. Mann ac-
cepted the office of Secretary, with the salary
OF 5 800 year. At that time he had pro
fessiOnal income from 50 500 to 5000 year
He was President of the Senate of Massachu-
sets, respected and popular with all parties,
and might reasonably look to any office in the
gift of the people of Massachusetts, He threw
aside all these-the gain, the office, and the
honOr-and took the new post of Secretary of
the Board OF Education, with at least twice the
labor OF his previous vocation, and only half
the pay; with no honor, and no expectation.
no prospect OF political preferment
In this noble calling he was more indus
trlous and selfdenying than before Every
thing was to be done Normal schools were
to be founded; school houses were to be built /:
teachers conventions were to be held lectures
to be delivered; reports to be prepared and
published His twelve volumes of Common
School Reports show how faithfully this work
was done. But the three Normal schools of
the State the new school houses all over the
Commonwealth, the district school libraries,
the improved character of the schools, of the
books, the teachers, and the scholars all show
with what fidelity and wisdom he labored. If
the money granted by the States was made
quate to the object he furnished the balance
out of his own scanty savings and actually
sold his library to help build Normal school
The Legislature, years after ascertained the
fact and justly paid what he so generously had
given.
"At his own expense, in 1874, he visited
Europe, to examine the schools of England and
the Continent. The value of his researches,
and of the book he published on his return, is
well known. The work has been several times
reprinted His career in the House of Rep
at Washington, is 50 well known
that we need say nothing of it. His speeches
against the Great Sin of America have rung
through the land like the Apocalyptic trumpet
saying Come up hither'
Such a man is an honor not only to the
State that gave him birth, but to his race. He
is not a mere politician-he is philanthropist
and statesman, and in comforting upon him
the highest Office in her gift, Massachusetts
will but show a just appreciation of his services
and character