The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-08-20
Death of Horace Mann.

tnaL horace Mann QteQ al CHOW OpTiugsp
Ohio, on Tuesday afternoon. Though his
health had not been good for many years.
owing to oyer-exertion in his public labors
during his residence here, yet we were not
aware of any special attack of sickness
which would endanger his life-a life of
so much general usefulness and, seemingly
to mortal eyes, well nigh indispensable to
the important institution to which he has
lately given all his energies.
Horace Mann was born at franklin,
Norfolk county, in this State, in May,
1796-and was, therefore, at the time of
his death. in the Gath year of his age
His father died early, leaving but little to
his family besides worthy example,
But this was enough for a mind SO keen
aud indomitable as that of Horace. Slen-
der advantages were around him-even
the district school was but the germ Of
what has labors have now made 1t for our
children-but he laid hold of every OPP
portuuity within his reach with all his
might. Exhausting the instruction OBJ
tainable at home, he determined to go to
college, although the way was in inverse
proportion to the clearness of the WILL
But by the aid of an itinerant schoolmas-
ter he was soon fitted for the Sophomore
class in Brown University, which he
entered in his twentieth year. His college
life manifested the same qualities which
afterwards became known and read of all
men. .is.t. ..t ey-
After graduating in 1919, he devoted
himself to the study of law, hut was soon
appointed tutor of Latin and Greek 10 the
college. His legal education was carried
on at Litchfield, Conn.,, and at Dedham.
He established himself as lawyer at
Dedham, in 1926, and had soon an extern
sive practice In the county of Norfolk
At this early period he interested himself
in the cause of temperance and Of public
education, being then one of the pioneers
of these reforms.
In 1927 he was elected TO the House of
Representatives of Massachusetts. In 1884
he removed to Boston-much of his legal
practice followed him. That year he was
elected to the Senate of Massachusetts,,
one of the members from the county Of
Suffolk. In 1887 he was chosen Presi.
dent of the Senate. His legislative career
was highly honorable to himself, and per-
manently useful to the State. He advo-
Gated the abolition of imprisonment for
debt; labored to ameliorate the penal law;
assisted in the improvement of prison
discipline; contributed much towards pro-
curing the revision of the State Statutes;
and BY his earnest efforts In behalf of the
insane, did more than almost any other
man in the establishment of the Hospital
at Worcester.
While President Of the Senate, he CON-
tributed materially towards the founding
of the Board of Education, of which, in
order to insure its practical efficacy, he
became the first Secretary. Giving up a
lucrative practice, he was elected to this
most laborious post in 1887, which he held
till 1849. In this office he won that just
fame which will keep his memory bright
so long as the cause of education shall be
dear to Massachusetts,. At that time the
very foundation of what now constitutes
the varied and not sufficiently appreciated
methods of our educational system, a;
connected with the Board, were to be laid
Normal schools were to be founded; i'm
proved school houses were to be built
teachers conventions were to be held
lectures to be delivered; reports to be pre-
pared and published. Mr.. Mann's twelve
volumes of Common School Reports SHOW
, how faithfully this work was done. Blu
the three Normal schools of the State, tn
new school houses all over the Common
wealth. the district school libraries, tn
improved character of the schools, of tn
books, the teachers, and the scholars, al
r show with what fidelity and what wisdom
; he labored.
. Owing to the inadequacy of the fund
supplied by the State, he sold his owI
library to help build Normal school,
/ which outlay coming, some years after, t
: the knowledge of the Legislature, wa
: Justly repaid. At his own expense, i
9 1844, he visited Europe to examine tn
8 schools there; and the results Of his re
5 searches, which he published on his rettirr
J., have had a wide dissemination.
' After the death of John Quincy Adam
e in 1S48, Mr.. Mann was elected to fill th
y vacant place in Congress. He was twic
|, reelected. One, at least, OF the cam
q paigns resulting in his election, will Ion
g be remembered for the sharpness Of th
Q contest. Some of his speeches in Cor
gress were characterized by great abilit.
particularly those on the question {
slavery, and by pungent rhetoric, whic
L gave them wide circulation at the Mort
: He ever applied stern but humane mt
), rality to all the problems of legislation.
d Mr.. Mann left Massachusetts, abodt 81
/, wears ago to assume the Presidency
l. Antioch College, Ohio, an institution whit
% was designed to lead the way in affordir
o higher grade Of education to the Wes
n In this position he has labored indefai
n gabiy, and with good measure Of success
10 We sincerely trust that his vacant pls
e will be made good.
d In his essential features Mr.. Mann W
a Characteristic offshoot from the old P
y ritan stock-keen- witted, intrepid, i
9 domitable, philanthropic, whole soule
le His resolution in pushing forward to
ID object, and his command of trencha
re language did not, at times, lessen q
y number Of antagonists which his decid
" course was calculated to evoke; bat &
nobleness Of his aims and his genera
self-denial in their prosecution, have, '
a believe, long since changed opposition in
IN respect, if not into admiration. Mr.. Ma
y. wrote much and always well. He labor
ps hard through life, and his praise is
at every nook and corner of the Commc
en- wealth, where his educational lsbors {
ID blessing generations as they arise. I
On example is treasure to American you
of Long may it fulfill its fruitful mission.
he Boston journal. Essgss R Sc
IL Trouble In Bourbon counfy.-fvo Jay HAWK
SIS it..f in Limbo. 49, ..,.
ds From q gentleman living near r
nd Scott, we learn that couple Of the no