Nebraska advertiser., 1859-07-14

Fer the Advertised
Education OF the Citizens keeesSa.
~ TO the PeFpituiJ OF our Gov
nFHuanu

WHICH the exercise or the sovereign pow
er IS invested IN the people, or The repre-
sentatives Of the same. Such being the
case, each citizen having a voice in the
formation Of those municipal laws. which
not only govern them individually, but
each of their fellow citizens. And, when
we contemplate the vast number Of be-
ings who are and may be citizens Of this
republic who have the control Of their
o~wnsocial and political societies. We an
not but admit that they should be endOW-
ed with intelligence and education, which
viii enable them to form such laws for
their government as VIII promote their
best ~interess. For ignorance woul In
capacitate them for making such laws as
would be for their benefit. The history
Of the world has proved to Us that where
ignorance, RIGHTEOUSNESS and immortality
are predominant among the citizens Of
the repabIr its dissolution IS inevitable,
Therefore,i it is ~indispensably necessary
for the preservation of the honor and uni
on of our RePabic, the peace and wei
fare of our citizens, and their social IN
t~erests, that every citizen should passes
that education which viii enable them to
command the respect and admiration of
the world. When we speak of education,
We do not mean a classical education,
alone: for such is Of little benefit unless
united with moral and liberal views, pat
notism, discretion, and intelligence. We
do not suppose that any citizen Of the
United States would, if he could, obtain
that scientific, moral and political knowl-
edge which IS so essential to citizens Of a
free government. For there are some,
and we fear many, although possessed Of
superior advantages, are Indifferent to
their much needed accomplishment of a
good education. But a there not be an
improvement! Is there not some means
by which every one can obtain these re-
~quirements which are of such vital impor-
lance to every Amerieancitizen? There
IS ample means to obtain a correct knowl-
edge of our moral, social and political
regulations, and It is a duty we " to
our country to improve these If
we are our own rulers we should know
how to rule. The constitution declares
that we are all endowed with equalrights
and equal privileges. And have we not
all an equal opportunity Of obtaining that
information which is so desirable TO eve
ry citizen and lover Of a free govern
ment? IF ours Is a first class nation
its position can only be sustained by the
enlightenment of our citizens. Their ig-
norance IS the only source through which
a dissolution of our Union can be easily
effected For as the people become ig-
nOrant they become d~epraYed, and just
in that proportion their contempt for the
federal constitution increases. For in
that condition they are more Influenced by
''party feeling" and there isno source of
danger to the Union Of these States more
to be feared than the strife between no.
litical parties and factions which are com
posed Of Ignorant fanatics whose motto is
rule or ruin. If our citizens are well IN
formed and possess intelligence and sta
bility there Is little to be feared from the
action of political parties as the people
would then fully comprehend the bless
ings Of that liberty which their consttu-
ton and form of government secures to
them. They VIII not suffer themselves
to be betrayed by party differences; but
viii have a higher ambition; VIZ: the ad-
Fancement, welfare and unity of the na-
ton. That we may be an example for
other nations IN the Enlightenment and
stability of our government. Our legis-
latOrs are, or should be guided by the In
terests of their constituents, and it is in
dispensably necessary that their constitu-
ents should be capable of giving them
such instructions with regard 10 their acts
of Legislation as would advance the In
terests Of U government, and promote
the general welfare of its citizens. Look
at the republic Of Mexico in her present
state of civil war, and see the blighting
effects of ignorance and fanaticism, for
such is the u source of her present dis
tracted state. Turn u eyes wherever
we may, where once a republican govern
ment existed, and we viii find, invariably,
the cause of its overthrow has been due
to the ignorance and depravity Of its citi-
zens. Let every American citizen feel
that his education and the education of
the rising generation is a duty he owes TO
his country, and this republic viii exceed
all other nations in social progress and en-
lightenment. Empires and kingdoms may
totter and fall around US but our govern