The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-05-01
For the Jeffer sonian Democrat.
Education and Its Effects,

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The excuse of the mass of mankind
for the little knowledge which they have
Of books, is, that they have no time to
read. This, some extent,is undoubtedly
true with the mechanics and farming class
Of community. The duties OF The farm
must be attended to, in preference to all
Others. But, to become an expert in any
art or science, il is necessary that we ac-
-quire knowledge Of the principles upon
which it is based.
No persons time is so much occupied
as to preclude him from pursuing the more
profitable works OF the dav. For instance,
one hour spent in reading the history of
our country. becoming acquainted with
its interests, its relations TO others, and
By this means learning what our obliga-
tons are to it, is an hour well spent. The
nature Of society requires that we know
the true relation we sustain to it, as mem
bers. The nation is made up OF individ-
uals, each having q common interest. To
live in ignorance OF the primary princi-
pies ofthat society Of which we seek pro.
lection, is without apology.
Through books we converse with the
great and good Of earth, and thus our
feelings are assimilated with theirs. We
arrive at higher conception Of the obi.
cations we owe, not only TO our fellow
men, but 10 ourselves we learn to live as
becomes men.
Where you find education you find
morality although il has been asserted by
writers that education tends 10 corrupt il
by opening wider field. We might as
well say that knowledge OF law would be
the means by which to make US break
that law. The one reasoning is as logica
as the other. The mind may be trained
to evil, but assert tha. il is no part o.
education. IL has a different and Q
higher mission.
Education not only increases morality,
but it tends to refine and elevate the char.
acter by giving healthy activity to the
mind. 1t directs ones impulses to thai
; which is noble and high-minded raises
his thoughts above that which is low anc
groEeling. We would draw distinction
between the word education and knowl
edge. We may have knowledge Of ih,
means by which TO produce the most un
y, scrupulous ends, but, really, this forms NJ
part Of education. The term education il
derived from the Latin, edaco, and means
to lead. The modern use of this word
comprehends all that instruction and disci
pline Of the mind which tends to enlighten
l. the understanding, and correctly mould
:. the character. The term knowledge sig.
}, nifes PERCEPTION Of that which exists
This may be PERCEPTION Of fact eithe,
b. good or bad.
rs Government should encourage literar,
a talents. The Romans were so wise in th
a administration of government as 10 en-
% courage foreigners in the exercise OF thei
al genius, by giving them place in th
er country, and even supporting them at th
he public expense. The consequence wa
Id that the people of Rome were much i'm
ID proved by being constantly surrounded b.
0. genius OF so high an order. Poets, paint
" ers and sculptors by reason of this gsner
d GUS spirit. sought refuge in her CLASSIC
ii fields, and made Rome the center of tht
,e intellectual world.
ID How much more refined is that natiol
se where the masses are educated wher,
- the arts and sciences are cultivated By tn,
se people. Happy, indeed, was Greece, il
g. the days of her prosperity, when her son
sought to rival the great Of past ages
be Alas since the fall Of that noble Re
public, that praise-worthy emulation hs
,v ceased, and with it the greatness Of he
Il people.
ID Prot. Dick writes that the only way {
giving an ennobling spirit to nation, ii
to cultivate her people. By this mean
o. you raise the mind above that chaos G
~ bigotry and superstition which is the con
10 10 diiion Of those nations whose people ar
~ less educated. The human race are ever,
day improving in morals and refinement
because the authors of to-day and of pas
ages are becoming familiar TO all persons
The comparatively low prices of our bes
books are bringing them within The reaCl
3, OF every one. Many Of the Astronomical
phenomena of the heavens and the geo
,. logical developments of the earth have
" heretofore, been lost, from the fact tha
the masses, who were thrown in way
observe, were not sufficiently educated t
- attach due weight to that which they ha
h. discovered. The fossil remains Of animal,
v and other curiosities, have often bee
u thrown aside by the miner as not wort
er preserving.
Let every one read--read with the Ut
- derstanding. Ignorance has no apology
~ - and much less should it have an advocat
~ SCRIBE.
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