The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-19
Educate the Children.

The principal object to be. kept steadily
in view, in the promotion OF the cause OF
popular education, is to impress on the
mind Of the whole people a proper sense
of its Importance. The parent should
consider it as, the well spring OF happi-
ness for his children; and the citizen
should regard it as the, source Of pros.
peri,y TO the Stale. When the parent
looks up 10 the highest offices of the
country. and is dazzled with the honors,
emoluments, and Influences Of official
power; when he. contemplates. those dis
tngulshed characters in the worlds his
tory, who rise from, and tower above, the
great mass Of mankind, and almost hopeI
essly covets. for his offspring, the same
lie OF illustrious virtue. let the words Of
encouragement. be 10 him.. Educate ycur,
children. and there is no honor. or office.
TO which they may not aspire!
If, when feeling the distress Of poverty
he looks with envy upon the comforts Of
those who revel in the fancied enjoyments
Of wealth.-or if, when shut out from
those Intellectual pleasures which Knowl-
| edge opens 10 her votaries, he 4repines al
the hard fate 10, which ignorance has CON
signed him, the reflection, that, by the
education Of his children, he ia providing
for the weG-being of those, who are OF
him, and are TO live after him, will be to
him, at once, lsolace inhis distress, and
source of unalloyed enjoyment.tas
IS The citizen often complains of the en-
ntefsunwise and unwholesome laws.
and OF the want Of proper remedial meas
ures for the protection OF the interests yoi
society Is lie alleges. and sometimes moi
without reason, that his rights haye}been
sacrificed by the incapacity of a jury
/ The answer to him should be,-Edmcate
i The people. Jurors will then become, vir
tuous and intelligent and the conflicting
rights Of individuals will be adjudged ac-
cording to the law aud the evidence.ajaa
! Smarting under the disappointment. %
political defeat. he sometimes inveighs
against the institutions of his county. and
affects to doubt the capacity OF man for
the duties Of seli.government. Letthe re-
ply to- this complaint be,-Educate TIE
people! They can then perform their gov
ernmental duties according TO the, design
of the trainers OF the Constitution, and
improvement will succeed improvement
as,,he people progress in intelligence ant
virtue. -. sfF ss4ytg.z. ). .1g.4,
Fears are, at times. entertained by him
that the rapid influx of foreign popula
tion, ignorant OF our laws and. hostile te
our institutions; may debase our moral,
aud overthrow our government. Lawmay
perhaps. delay. and even prevent such 4
catastrophe; but, in the education of III.
people. a barrieris erected, againstwh
the waves Of foreign ignorance and vic'
may break and foam in vain. t9 tlxgle..te
Let views OF this kind be so thoroughlJ
impressed upon the popular mind, tina
men shall proceed to actfupon a lconyic
, ton Of their truth, and we shall soon be
hold q change in the education Of tn.
, rising nera,on.sY The people will ther
unite with interest,", in, the formation o
the youthful character. The means o
education will, be increased. books which
are books will be furnished, as food 10
the mind, the zeal of the teacher will b,
, quickened by encouragement, his char
acter will be elevated. and those persons
who have hitherto stood aloof from thi
! field aof labor. will commence. with a new
! energy in the work Of useiulness.-N Mint
, Report of Mass. Board of Education.