The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-02-07

and need not fear that her interests will suffe,
| in their hands. NIX.
FREE SCHOOLS.
| 1t is to be feared that some persons do not sui
6eiently value Public Schools. They may place
somewhat higher estimate upon schools in
general they may be the friends of education
but they choose to have the whole matter left te
the discretion Of parents, and not thrown, as
burden. upon the whole community, This view
Of education formerly prevailed but gradual
change has been wrought in public sentiment
and it is now deemed wise to lay tax upon the
whole community for the support of Free Schools
1 think this system is an excellent one, and
should commend itself to all wise and benevo
lent statesmen, and to all good patriots. In thi.
country, We attach great importance to democrat
ic principles We insist upon it that the mass o
the people shall rule. Cotton is not king mon.
ey is not king learning is not king social
position is not king; but We, the people, are the
sovereigns. Directly or indirectly. We will make
| and unmake the laws according to our pleasure
In this foundation of our political institutions
| We will submit to no dictation from any quarter
| 1t is thus evident that our Government will be
wise or unwise just according to the degree Of
| intelligence and moral virtue in the great mass
Of the community. 1t is not enough that We
| have q few, or even . considerable number OF
| wise and able men among us. They may be
| overruled by an ignorant and depraved com.
munity. Even small number of unprinc,pled
men may hold the balance Of power between
contendng political parties. Thus there can be
no real safety to republican institutions, only as
the great mass of the people understand and ex-
ercise the rights which belong to them under our
form of government Hence it clearly follows
that all men should be educated. The public
| welfare demands Free Schools. 1t is distinctly
for the good of the State that all citizens should
| be able to read and write for unless they are
able to do this they cannot inteligently exercise
| the elective franchise. We then have just the
same right to tax all the community for the sup
port of Free Schools that We have to tax them
for sny other purpose that most obviously con-
duces to the public welfare. 1t is not true. then.
that parents alone are responsible for the educa-
ton of their children, and have right to do as
they please in the matter They are but parts
of the Nation and thus they, and all Others, are
bound to pursue such course a. will tend to the
general good
But let US look at Free Schools in another light
Some great man has said (and suppose JUSTIFY
school education is left merely to the will of par
ents. the result will usually be that only q
portion of all the children will receive an edu-
cation. Some parents are so poor that they cannot
bear the expense of private schools. Other pa
rests, being somewhat ignorant or vicious them
selves will not feel the importance of an education
for their children. Thus We shall soon have o
community in which ignorance, and its usual
concomitant, vice, will become more or less
prevalent. On the other hand, the educated
children will hold . much higher social position.
Thus we shall soon have two distinct classes in
the community. Everything will rapidly tend
towards An aristocracy. We shall be divided.
There will be separate and clashing interests.
And there will be great danger that between
these opposite factions, the Nation will be ruined.
In fact, monopoly Of learning is one of the
most dangerous monopolies that can exist. To
guard against it. we should do all in our power
to place our children . perfect level; at least
SO far IS literary advantages are concerned. Let
them attend the same school let them be re-
warded according to their real merits let them
play together: let them all understand that they
must depend. not upon the wealth or learning Of
their parents, but upon their own exertions. for
their position in society. 1t is . somewhat
remarkable fact, that many Of our greatest and
best men have been raised up, from what are
considered the humber walks Of life. Our form
Of government strongly tends to develop the
best heart and intellect of the country. It is
wisdom to cherish and not 10 counteract this
tendency. Our safety, under Providence, con-
sists in elevating the masses Of the people to
high common level. Let the sehoolmaster 60
abroad everywhere let the schoolhouse doors be
thrown vide open to every child /: let every man
and every woman help forward the good cause Of
virtuous and universal education, and We shah
Be united and prosperous people.
Free School in Junction Is very necessary.
Many Of our people are poor. Several families
have moved into the place. specially for the pur-
pose Of giving their children such An education
as they could not procure for them in their former