Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-17

lruc W the DemOcrauc party, raction can 30
no foot-hold there. The South feels correctly
and thinks correctly. The main elements Of
Democratic strength are in the South.
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN EDUCA-
@@et TION.
| !. Tn the course Of our reading we have been
often astonished al the ignorance Of American
institutions displayed BY prominent men in Eng
land. An American youth at any Of our re-
spectacle colleges would be ridiculed for ex-
hibiting as little knowledge of the structure Of
the British government, as we have known
British journals, reviews, and even leaders Of
British opinion exhibit Of the structure Of our
government, We have thought, however, that
although Englishmen were ignorant of the
principles of our government, and the manner
in which they are practically applied by us,
the educated classes Of England understood
the character Of their own government and
were well yersed in the history Of their own
Constitution--if indeed, what they call Con-
stitution deserves the name. But 1t seems
that we were mistaken, if there is any reliance
to be placed in the suggestions contained in
an article in recent number of an influential
review. spe,a
The North British Reriesc for August, con-
tains an article on the early history Of England,
in which it says of writer on that subject:
His Rise and Progress Of the Constitution
is, indeed, as he tells US, neither more nor less
than textbook for his class; bit nothing can
be more significant Of the progress aoAich com
stitutiondl studies hare made than the eristence
of such a class and such a Textbook"
+ We must confess that this extract surprised
US. We had no idea that the young men Of
Great Britain were permitted to grow up in
such ignorance Of the history Of reformation of
the British constitution, as that the year 1854
the publication of textbook to teach them
that history and the formation of class to be
taught that history, is gravely mentioned in
grave review as important facts significant of
the progress Of constitutional studies in Eng
land. The English are accustomed to sneer
at the poor education Of the Americans,
as they are accustomed to sneer at every.
thing American, but we feel confident that
the young men Of the United States are
better prepared by education for the tasks
which they have to perform than the young
men Of England, This is true not only of the
masses but of the educated men Of the two
countries, according to the extract we have
l. L.. n-.t IL D.:
No one at this day would speak Of the pub
LEGATION Of text book devoted to the History
of the Constitution Of the United States, or the
formation of class to be instructed by it as a
remarkable event. significant Of the progress
which constitutional studies have made in the
United States. Nor would the publication of
text book, devoted 70 the History Of the Brit
ish Constitution and the formation of class to
be instructed by it be mentioned as remark
able fact significant of the progress of consti-
tutional studies. Indeed, neither event would
be mentioned with any emphasis whatever.
The History of the Constitution Of the United
States and the History of the Constitution
of Great Britain are now taught in our col
Ieges and universities, and have been taught
in our colleges and universities for num-
Der of years. If therefore, the North Brit
ish Review does not mislead MS, we may
safely say that the educated young men Of the
United States, as much az their education is
derided, are better informed than the young
men Of England as to the history Of the British
Constitution, the nature of British institutions,
and the structure Of the British government.
The youth of England devote their time
principally to the classics and TO those orna-
mental branches which are useful in the par
| lor. The youth Of the United States must
subdue the wilderness, open roads, and carry
the principles of free institution into the
| forest, in order to build up republican com
| monwealths. Their education to be useful,
must prepare them for these tasks and
for guarding their political system from
force, fraud, and decay, by administering it IN
the spirit in which it was conceived. They
must study the history of their Consultation in
order to understand il, and they must become
familiar with the structure of other govern
ments in order to appreciate it. This is more
important to them than any ornaments howevel
chaste and beautiful they may be. Indeed !
is the first great business Of every nation, aftel
providing the necessaries Of life, to make them
selves acquainted with the principles of thei
government so that they may perpetuate what
ever good it may contain, improve its defects
and reform its abuses. After religion, TIL
structure and administration Of government !
the great interest of the human race, and ]
will be an evil day when the study Of tn
great fundamental principles of government
is abandoned to make room for more abstrus
investigation into the rubbish Of the past or 70
the acquisitions of those elegancies which ar
suited TO the drawing-room. We appreciate th