The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-10-28
For The Cecil Wing.
POPULAR EDU CATION.
No. INV.


one should be bold enough to object to the
education of the laboring masses, conceive
there is no other that can be urged. The
doctrine. that the children, who arc nurtured
by the hand of toll, have no right to the re-
tinclnents of learning, is not yet, that am
aware, openly advocated in our country; but
unless something cftcctual is done, ere long,
for their relief, postcrty will have cause to
question the sincerity of those who now talk
so freely of universal instruction. have
shown in preceding articles, that complete
education for the laborng mans child is now
impracticable. 1t has been so in most coun-
tries of the world in every age; but in our
land of liberty and equality and IN this age
oflight and knowledge, this relic Of feudalism,
that consigns the poor to ignorance and su-
pcrstition should be done away.
TO make the elective franchise available, in
carrying out the just, enlightened and effective
administration of our government, an advanc-
cd degree of education among all classes OF
the community, is indispensable. The evils
to which government, swaycd by the voice
of an ignorant multitude, is liable, are so great
that it is common sentiment with rejecting
minds in this country that the unlettered
masses of Europe, are not prepared for free
dom. The application of the same principles
to the state of things at home, brings us to
the unwelrome conclusion, that some qualitl-
cation for voters, that would guarantee
knowledge of the measures they were sustain
ing or opposing, would be of immense impor-
lance to the stability of our government. But
since such qualification is both inadmisslble
and impracticable, we can secure its advan-
tagcs only by clevating the class it would ap'
ply to, and depopulating their sphere.
TO talk of raising the character of the Ia
boring classes by education and refinement
80 as to leave no quarters for ignorance in
any branch of the community seems both
startling and visionary. Yet it is the mark
aimed at in our Declaration of Independence;
a mark yet more fully appreciated by the
French lberalists, when to our motto of
Liberty and Equality" they added era
alike with talents virtue and learning the
circumstances of wealth and place, will I'M
pose no barriers between them.
1t is easy to conceive that there are many
of the Aristocracy of Young America, who do
not anticipate any such result of free schools
and liberal institutions, and who would not
desire it, could it be easily effected. To such
there can be no stronger argument
against phonetic spelling than their prejudice
cs and fears, for should this means of instruc-
ton be fully opened to the people at large.
there will rise up from the sons of perjury,
class of energetic competitors, for share i'll
their cmoluments and honors.
1t is to those who advocate instruction to
some purpose, that | make my appeal. The
time when it was said, she has learned
enough to hold the pillow or to WELD the axe"
we suppose to be passing away. The farmer
has determined that an unstinted education is
as necessary in his business, as in any other
human allotment. The mechanics, impress
cd with the motto that knowledge is power
are demonstrating that in those qualifications
which dignity and cnnoble the human mind,
they are second to no other class of their fell
low citizens. But in competing for the prizes
of educational refinement they are kept in the
back ground by their more opulent ncighbors.
The college is yet deemed essential to COM
pletc the literary candidate, and this is rather
beyond their reach. The laboring man, whose
earnings are yet more limited, all the proceeds
of whose toll are barely sufficient for the
physical wants of his family, feels too that
he has an inalicnable right to the book Of
knowledge, but its pages to him are in an UNI
known tongue. Unable to rcgale his mind
in hours of leisure, with intellectual enjoy
mcnt, the tobacco pipe or the dram shop now
offer their tempting bats. For want of an
expanded range of ideas, his conversation
turns upon low personalities, not unfrequent-
ly dwelling by the hour upon the failings and
vices of his associates and fellow men. His
children are liable to form their character
from the examples around them, and unless
some friendly hand, from without, be inter-
posed, all that is dcformed and ignoble in the
mind of the parents, will he pcrpetuated to
the next generation.
He then who can persuade himself that his
children will learn fast enough by the ordi-
nary process, would do well to reflect, wheth-
or in cherishing no further concern he is doing
his duty as christian philanthropist He
knows there arc thousands, who without adj
ditional facilities, will not even learn to read
their Bibles; and hundreds of thousands whose
minds will be crippled for life, by the abuses
of their carly education. This immense class
arc not in a condition to be reached by these
essays. If they were they have not the
means necessary for their own relief. Most
of the improvements of our age have appealed
to self interest THIS principle has given
them their astonishing impetus. But in the
earlier stages of education, that is string
which cannot be reached. Those who would
carry the lamp of truth and knowledge, to
the dark reccsscs of the human understand
ing can rely upon no selfish motives for sup.
port. 1t is those who are alive to the inter.
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