Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-12-01
Educational.

The editor of the Aurora Times does not
like the compulsory clause in the Constitu-
ton concerning education. This is very
natural, and should surprise nobody. The
deeper people are sunk in ignorance, the
nearer they will assimilate TO shat paper in
politics, and the more easily will they become
the blind slaves of that class of politicians
who have driven the country into a state Of
rebellion, and have delused the land with
blood. The States now in rebellion have new
err been celebrated for the liberality of their
educational privileges, and the deplorable ig-
norance of the masses of the poor popula-
ton is a notorious fact. Affirmative legisla-
ton forhids the education of the negro, and
the absence of legislation secures the same
Gesideratum in the case Of the ''poor white
trash" and the mind of the ignorant white
masses is as much under the dominion OF the
lords of the soil as the body of the negro.
Popular ignorance is the sheet anchor of JEFF
Davis cause, and popular education is the
bane of its advocates. Strong among these
is the editor Of the Times and hinc lila lach-
rymae. He says:
This method Of forcing education may do very
well for Prussia and other European countries,
hut it is not adapted to the United States. Our
people it fs supposed, and has been ever since we
have had a government will perform their duty
I'm this respect without any compulsory laws TO
maie them do il. Every parent. including those
Of hut limited knowledge or intelligence, must
know the importance NJ giving their children
which there is no difference Of opinion.
We do not know whether the editor ever
lived in State where common school sys-
tenn e1isted-probably not. If he had, he
would have known that where the best sys-
tenn prevails, and where the most liberal ad-
vantages are extended, there are to be found
great numbers ofparentS, who, either through
parsimony keep their children from the ten
derest age out Of schoolto reap the petty prof
It's of their labor, or do so from prejudice
against education imbibed in countries where
ignorance is the basis upon which tyranical
governments are founded. Were these pa
rents the only ones upon whom:the results of
this ignorance would fall, it might be just to
ALLOW them to suffer the consequences oftheir
avarice or ignorant prejudice. But it is not.
Another generation are the sufferers. Their
children and the communities of which these
children are one day to compose citizens, are
the inheritors of this legacy of ignorance
and mental bondage. When in other partic-
ulars the natural or other lawful guardians of
youth neglect the trusts which nature and the
good order of society impose, the law inter-
feres and compels the performance Of those
duties. No palmer proposition can be assert
ed than that the proper education of youth
is among the first duties owing from the pa
rent or guardian. Its morals, its happiness,
It's usefulness TO self and society depend in
great degree upon the proper discharge of
this trust 1t is idle to place the great and
invaluable boon If education within reach Of
the children of State, if through the avarice
or prejudice of the parent that boon is to be
denied those for whose benefit it is intended.
The compulsory clause has passed the Con-
vention; VIC are glad Of it, and if our Consti-
tutional Democratic friend does not like it,
the road is open to Dixie, the home Of igno-
rance and rebellion.