The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-01-28
Public instruction.

We are daily watching the proceedings Of the
State Legislature to see what the members intend
TO do for the cause Of Public School education
It iss subject Of the most vital Importance to the
future prosperity Of the State,-a subject which
rises far above any question of merely private
or political character. However Delegates may
differ on other questions, surely they can unite
on-this. Rich and poor, loyalist and traitor,
alike demand wise and liberal legislation on tbs
subject. All are equally concerned in having
school system such as the times and circumstan-
stances Of the State require. All admit that
the present partial and discordant systems of
public education are insufficient for the work.
We have al different times expressed our views
through the columns of the .4dcocaie, on points
which we thought important in the proposed sys-
tenn. or these were, the establishment of State
No nal School the Office Of County School
Commissioner the holding of annual Teachers
Institutes; liberal increase in the salary of
Teachers, aud, as soon as practicable, the estab-
lishment Of county High Schools.
The only objections that we see can be made
to the adoption Of any or all of these principles,
is ip the amount of taxation necessary to carry
them out. We are scrupulously opposed to any
needless increase of taxation at this time. But
no public money can be so proftably expended
as that which goes to the support Of education.
None brings so large return to the State. Igno-
rance and vice Invariably go hand in hand. As
School-houses increase, Jails, Alms-houses and
Houses of r sfuge diminish. And we verify be-
lieve that it costs more to trap and punish the
rogues made dishonest by ignorance, than it
would TO give every child 10 theland a thorough
education. Besides this an ignorant people is
not capable of self government. With Us, the
highest duties Of juror, statesman and soldier,
are performed by Uncommon people. Without
|, thorough popular education, the people are not
only unfit for these importantd duties, but corrupt
and designing men will secure high places and
carry the nation headlong 10 ruin. The humble
School of the land, with their unpretend-
ing teachers and ragged urchins, are n surer safe
guard to liberty than legion of armed soldiers.
VIM. Penn the founder of Pennsylvania, has de-
clared, ''That which makes good Constitution,
must keep it namely wisdom and virtue Quail
. B
tiles which, as they descend not with worldly
inheritance, must be carefully propagated by a
virtuons education" And Washington in his
Farewell Address, cautions the nation to 'Pro-
mote as an object Of primary importance, insti-
tutious for the general diffusion of knowledge.
In proportion as the structure Of government
gives force to public opinion, it should be en-
iightened.' III aa f4i ~
Maryland needs popular intelligence, thorough
scientific education among her people, IN order
to secure the development of the vast resources
which the Almighty has committed to her care.
Mind-the great lever that is to raise the State
to her true position, is supplied to her children
in abundance. 1t is ready for the plastic hand of
the educator tits waiting to be fashioned into
practical shape. All that is necessary is that
the Legislature and the people take hold of the
subject with that comprehension which it de-
serves,