Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-02-04

Classes
Not many years ago. and in some COUP.
tries of the old world even at this present
day, it is not thought desirable, nor even
practicable that AZ classes of the human
family should be educated. A few of the
elect, destined for the Learned Profess
IONS" were favored with what might be
called "liberal education" further than
this, the nation had no concern. Happily
for the huma n race, this barbarous idea of
barbarous age has yielded to the light Of
reason, and the enfranchisement of mind,
marked new era in the history of men.
Like the development of the principle of
pc rsonal freedom, this was another grand
step in the progress of humanity. 1t has
now SO far gained strength, that there is a
spirit Of honorable contention among coun-
tries of the highest civilization as to what
is the best method of efeeting this object.
The wisest and best of earth have given
their lives to the study of the subject, and
left but little for the ordinary thinker to
develop new OF startling In common
phrase, sit is worn threadbarc," and all
who approach it, do it with the trepidation
of forbidden ground. Not SO, however,
with the Rev. Mr.. Barrett, to whose high
ly edifying and pleasing lecture on this top
ic we listened to few evenings since
He handles his subject in an able manner,
developing new ideas, and making the ver-
lest common place new and attractive by
the flashes of his own fair genius. There
is witching grace and quiet beauty about
his style, that first enlists the attention, and
then holds it. 1t was easy to perceive that
he was in earnest about what he was
speaking, as every man should be in earn.
est on subject of such vital Importance
The Common School," which Mr.. Bar,
rett very eloquently and truly calls the
"aachor of hope 10 the world" was organ
lied to this end. So far it has done noble
service, and would seem to point to the fl
nal triumph of mind over the dark armie:
of ignorance. But before this happy stat'
of things shall have been accomplished.
will be necessary that the dignity of labor
which is oftener quoted than felt, shall
have been successfully vindicated.
Labor is the basis of all wealth, intelli
.gerce and power. 1t is condition of lif
Diyinely imposed. Gin the sweat Of tn.
bow shalt thou eat bread all the days Q
.ny - is an edict none can escape
How w;ae, then, that man should give dig
nifty to that Which has earned evefythln
for him,-tnat he should respect, and see
to elevate all, who thus labor for his com
fort and well-being; whether like Phidias
he gives the cold marble life and beauty
or, like Angelo, embodies a nations relig
ion in one grand, magnificent temple, Q
whether, with pick and spade he tunnel
our mountains, and digs our coal.
Educate the working classes then,
you would give to labor its true dignity
and make that labor most productive
Physical strength without skill and intel
ligence is an improbable agent: but wit
the two united the most productive result
are secured.
To effect this end let the common schoe
and all its branches, organized in the mos
perfect manner, be everywhere establishe
and supported. Let such laborers as MI
Barrett, who give themselves earnestly t
the work, be literally paid Teachin
BY lectures is of rather late origin, but
has already gained high character as a
efficient mode of instructing the masses
We are also glad to know that there is sue
a thing in our village as working Men
Association" and Library. This is anotl
er step towards the great work of "Educ'
ting the Laboring Classes"
E@ The Legislature of Michigan. cor
vened by Gov. Bingham. is now in ext
session.
The matters presented to them for legi
alton are as follows:
1. The land grants of Congress in aid
the construction of certain railroads in th
State.
r IL .-J,..o1 n,