, 1862-12-27
WRITTEN FOR THE WASHINGTON Statesman ]
The American Citizen.

The American Citizen.
In country like ours, where the people gov
ern, every person rises into Importance. He
shares in the election of all the officers of the
government. Every person is also subject
He is bound to submit to all the laws of the
country Every voter is also at some time du
ring life liable to be called to fill some Office and
almost one quarter are elected for some Official
position. 1t necessary, then. in order to carry
on the government WE'LL that every person be ed
ucated Alright Says Edward d. Mansfield =
"An American Republic must be founded on an
American education an education arising out
of the nature of its institutions imbued with a
knowledge of its era; and filed with all that is
free, true, hopeful and glorious in the New Tes-
lament revealed through Jesus Christ" This
government is quite different from the govern
ments of most other countries. In kingdoms and
the power. These rulers, although they prevent
a great deal of good being done, nevertheless
prevent some evil. But in America this restraint
is in great measure removed, and hence it is
necessary that every person should be educated
so as to withstand the temptations to do wrong,
which everywhere present themselves around
him. The question then arises What constitutes
an American Education? l answer: 1t must
be such an education as shall conform to the idea
of complete christian republic, and shall bring
forth all the natural abilities of each person. He
should be educated physically, intellectually and
morally; or should have sound mind in a
sound body. First, physically; without a good
constitution man may have the will, but not the
power to do good. He must breathe the pure
air, have sufficient exercise and sleep, and eat
substantial food, his other powers will be of little
value. Second, Intellectually. He must have
knowledge. This should comprise what is neces-
sary for himself as an American citizen knowl-
edge of the Constitution of the United States
and of his own State of the laws under which
he lives; of the workings of the government and
the machinery by which it is carried on. He
should also have some knowledge of mathemat-
les, the sciences, history, literature and language
Third, Morally. Man without an education is a
beast and even if the intellect alone be educated
he becomes a mighty instrument to do evil; but
educate Alright the moral faculties and the lion at
once becomes lamb. There is the wisdom of a
serpent and the harmlessness of a dove. Says
Mrs. Adams to her son "Great learning and
superior abilities should you ever possess them
will be of little value and of small estimation, un-
less virtue honor, integrity and truth are cher
ished by YOU Remember that you are respon-
sible to your God" The Bible is the best book Of
morals: Well has Cowper sung:
g. There is liberty unsung
By poets, and by senators unpraised,
Which monarchs cannot grant, nor all the
powers
Of earth and hell confederate take away"
Better than all books it makes plain the Divine
law and will of God; and delineates human ma
tuTe and the obligations of the human soul to its
maker; and shows what man must do to be eter-
nally happy.
All this education should be acquired as far as
possible in youth, for when this season of life i;
passed, it becomes difficult to impress anything
very forcby on the mind. "Just as the twig is
bent the tree is inclined" Me.