The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-09-24

For the Nonpareil.
A good Education is more to be desired
than much gold. 1t is the wealth of the mind
which enriches and exalts its possesor above
every thing that gold can procure. While
the love of the one debases the mind, the
love of the other elevates it. We do not
believe in the doctrine that much learning
makes one mad" Festus'" opinion to the
contrary Notwithstanding the best ed
ucated community is the safest, as our Pris-
on Reports and all History proves to de-
monstration. Admitting these facts, how
important that more earnestness should be
exercised and greater efforts be made in the
cause of education. There are thousands
of men and women, scattered all through
our Western States that can scarcely read
or write; having no education themselves,
they cannot realize as they ought the import
ance Of educating their children, conse-
quentlv. little or no attention is paid to es-
tab!ishing School Districts, or erecting COM
.
be as fair az the Goddess of Beauty herself,
with graceful form and poetic motion, we
shall GU. but sorry figure in the society Of
well educated, intellectual, and truly accom-
plshed men and women. 1t is there We
shall feel true poverty the poverty of the
mind. There We shall wish we had paid
more attention to thorough education in
the School-room, and less to artificial
graces, and rvolous conversation Of the
Ballroom. We would not, however, be un-
derstood as dscarding all amusement. They
are good in their place, and when properly
conducted useful. But it is the continued
round of giddy pleasure, to which this place
is somewhat given, we object to taking from
US all relish for intellectual pursuits, and
prev enting that true cultivation Of the mind,
without which we will forever remain but
little more than bockheads. Do you want
Council Bluffs to number ten thousand in
habitan,s within ten years if so-just talk
to your parents, brothers, and sisters of the
Importance of good schools, of Free Schools,
the chief glory of New England. Let them
and tho whole town know that you are in
earnest. You can tell them in truth that
hundreds Of famlie, would long ere this
have made this place their residence if we
but had good schools. Eastern people will
not move west until their children are well
educated, believing if they do they must
grow up in idleness and ignorance. Thisis
the chief objection we ever heard raised
against the West. And must we forever 90
on in this stupid and Indifferent way? care
less of everything pertaining to our true in
tercst? Let the citizens of Council Bluffs
strive as hard to reach " MASN's Pcak" as
they have g Pixies Peak," and they will
on find themselves elevated high above
the Gold Regions Of the Rocky Mountains.
The elevation to which tho late lamented
HORACE MANN has striven to take us, was
an elevation Of the mind which in compar-
son reaches to Heaven; for this he has al
WAYS striven with devotion and ardor
which nothing but death could dampcn.-
Nearly his whole life has been given to the
cause of education he has spoken and writ
ten volumes in its behalf.
We may refer to this subject in future
number should these few remarks from a
school girl be deemed worthy a place in the
Educational Department of your excel
lent paper. MARY.