Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-01-20
For the Journal.
EDUCATION.

EDUOhIlON
Education is a subject which has engrossed
the minds of many men for the last century and
half. However, 1t is only of late years thai
they are beginning to investigate this subject
and look at it in the light in which they should
And would ask if they have used any extra or
uncalled-for exerton in support of that great
cause which is calculated to amclqrate the con-
dition of our fellow-men so much 1t ought to
be regarded as one Of the greatest schemes Of
the day, and be encouraged, supported and pro-
mulgated by every citizen in our country
Look at our prisons--and well may you be as
tonished when you find only one out of every
five Of its inmates can read and write. Who
do you find there? None but the poor deluded
wretch whose ignorance keeps him down forev-
er in the lowest depths of misery and disgrace.
Look at our neghboring countries and see the
millions Of poor uneducated beings-living I'M
der the yoke Of despotism with but little hopes
Of bettering their condition. But if they could
BECOME enlightened and see their deplorable
situation, then would the dark cloud Of oppres
sion begin TO move slowly away, and in its
pldCc NOulu mug up 'h"t d Wv 'P'i' u ''NS
dom which is so characteristic of our own glo-
rious Republic; learning apd liberty would go
hand in hand; kings and cmperors would be
hurled from their thrones, and their Kingdoms
and empires would be governed by laws passed
by qualified men, chosen TO legislate for free
people.
Has not education done more for our own
country than any other part of the globe? Is she
not daily gathering fresh laurels by her liberal
system of education? To that alone we are in
dehted for that rapid progress and Improvement
in the arts and sciences which has called forth
the admiration of the world. In her institutions
of learning are found men from every part Of
the globe In her Legislative halls are her great
est statesmen and wisest philosophers. Has
not our country produced as great men IS ever
did the proud city Of Athens?
Education is theme worthy the pen OF a
giant intellect it should make the soul OF the
devotee Of literature to swell with emotions OF
admiration. 1t is despsed by few ignoble
minds and shallow hearts, who look upon It's
friends with contempt. But the man who
deserves the praise Of both present and future
ages. Such men rear the strong pillars Of soci-
ETY., and support the fabric of civilization and
national freedom; they have overcome every OBJ
stacle and broken down the barriers of naughty
pride, thus proving that they possessed beneath
rough exterior powerful mind and genius
1t was by acting thus that they have raised
themselves to that position which industry and
energy deserve. They now shine forth like
bright mctcors in society. Demosthenes, the
greatest orator that ever lived, was once cut,
Ter; Sir Humphrey Davy, the best chemist of his
age, was at one time poor apprentice to al
apohecary Was not the immortal Franklin
that great luminary of electrical science, once {
printers "Devil?" Look at Sir Isaac Newtor
--once farmers boy, but lived to be the great
est astronomer and mathematician in the world
He walked in the armament, held converse will
ihe stals, and woa = fame which will never
die.
ALPHA.