Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-04-18
WHOLE NO. 9l9.
Education and Learning.

uays ago, We euutdfWcu W cho" thdV
man Of true education, is not merely re
taller Of other mems thoughts, but one VIII
Observation-Disclosures something himself
We made the suggestions for the purpos
Of showing one Of the great errors Of u
all.
We content ourselves. particularly in sh'
sciences and mathematics. with familiar
ity Of other mems knowledge. There j.
no objection in studying. to become fsmIl
lar with this knowledge, but We should nol
be so eonteuted to stop there. We should
never fold or arms in elegant ease, unless
we, ourselves. individually have added
something TO the learning of the world =
There is no rest, but in the grave. until
this is accomplished. We do not rely
enough upon self-shut up the books, and
think-exereise in all it's might scope. that
greatest Distinguishing faculty OF the hu-
man mind-the God like power TO think-
TO analyze-to create. Stop, not even at
the top Of the mountain, but take an @rial
voyage niger up-strike out into regions
unknown before. One original thought
-one scientific discovery-one clear. bril-
liant, complete refutation Of error, is felt
throughout the whole universe of mind
adds one perfect link to that infinite series.
which brings man higher, aud still higher
bis God. Learning tells how TO think
Education is systematic thought-ths de.
ducing of logical conclusions. from sstab-
hshed facts. Learning makes us medits-
tive. reflective. happy. Education rakes
us wise, good, great.
1t certainly can rebound but little to the
reputation Of an individual, that he is able
to repeat by heart, much Of that W hich has
been written, and which can be read by
every one il he will but open the books
He adds nothing To it, and perhaps the
world would rather read it, than hear it
repeated. Such an one might, however.
be Of some practical advantage. in rehear-
sing to those who are too lazy TO read for
themselves, or would prefer to hear a lec-
ture. rather than read one. But would it
not be more in accordance with true man.
hsod, to write. what other men might de-
sire to commit TO memory
An American education, or rather what
ought to be an American education, differs,
or should differ, very materially from an
European education. The science of Gov
ernment, SO unnecessary for the masses to
study in a monarchy, ia absolutely neces
sary to be fully understood in Republic.
10 the one, the government belongs to the
King, and is controlled by an aristocracy.
The people take the laws as they are en-
acted for them. They are compelled to
live under such institutions as their rulers
seek to impose upon them, and if they are
such servils slaves as to submit, il does
seem. that the least they know, the hap
pier they are. But in our government,
where the sovereign power rests in the
people-where the citizens are themselves
the government-where the rulers are our
servants, and the President himself is but
an agent to execute our will for limited
time: how very essential is it, that we un-
perstand all the different powers of the
Federal Constitution, and the individual
privileges We enjoy under it. How can we
instruct our President what to do, unless
we know ourselves what is necessary to be
donsf The servant must not be permitted
To become greater than the master.
Every observing mind knows, that the
tendency of this government, like all the
Democracies that have preceded us, is to-
wards a centralixation of power. The lib
srties Of a people are never lest at once,
but step by step the politician advances,
until after a series Of artful approaches,
the people are robbed. and the purse and
the sword are in the hands of a few men.
To defer this crisis, the masses should be
able to see, and check the very first ap-
proach Of such q policy. They should so
understand the genius s.and power Of our
Constitution, that the very first step TO-
wards the subversion of any Of its privil
sges or conditions. would be met by
stern opposition. ard at once strangIed by
the strong arm Of the people. But how is
this 10 be done, unless the citizens have a
comprehensive knowledge-understand in
all its length and breadth, in the concrete
and abstract, the letter and spirit, the geni-
as and power of our Constitution. They
must be able to see at the nrst oiush' the
eject OF every move made On the politicai
chess board. Ihey must De learned 10 the
CONSTITUTION ana become educa'ea os i's
study. Our Federal oensttuHon shouid
be our good motner' IRON whose h'ihg
fount in the days OF our boyhood. we drew
iessons OF wisdom and OF faith. IL snouid
be our Alma Mater, around whose sacred
portals cluster the fOndest recOllsetiOns Of
our youth. Almost equal IN Importance
with the teachings OF the chistian faith as
proclaimed from the Mount Of Olives to an
American citizen, Is full knowledge OF the
a. ha.~u of tb.o