The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-03-18
Public Educ alton.

Public Educ alton.
"Promote as an object of primary Importance,
institutions for the general diffusion OF knowl-
edge. In proportion as the structure of gov
ernment gives force to public opinion, it should
be enlightened. - Washington.
We wish that so much of the Farewell Legacy
of the Father of his country, were written in let
tiers OF Gold all over the Halls ofour Legislature,
that when the great subject of Public Instruc-
ton comes before the Delegates, it might inspire
them with its liberal and elevated SENTIMENT
Within the past few years much has been said Of
the vast natural resources of Maryland. Aud it
is fact that cannot be too often repeated, lit
should be impressed on the mind of every citizen
however humble, that he lives in State which
possesses all the elements of material prosperity
Every Legislator should feel that he makes Laws
for State, rich in all the resources ofgreatness
and power, the development of which will be the
work of generations to come 81
Here are broad valleys smiling in the native
fertility of their soil. Here are vast mountains
stored with the mineral treasures of the earth.
Here are deep forests filed with the timber that
builds navies. Here are proud streams asking
to be set to work. Here is a deep Bay inviting
the burdens Of commerce.
What is needed that all these vast treasures
may be made to yield their increase, and contri-
butte to mans happiness and prosperity we
answer-Popular intelligence thorough sci
enti6c education of the people, by means OF an
effective system of Public Instruction.
The State Superintendent, in the admirable
School Bill which he has reported to the Legisla-
ture has thoroughly comprehended this matter.
Dscarding the errors and filing up the delicien-
cies amid which other States have been cropping
their way, he has digested system, which il
adopted, will at once place Maryland among the
first in the educational facilities which it will
present to the young. 1t is not partial, not grad
nal. 1t is ssperfect in its adaptations, comprehen-
sive in its aims, immediate in its operations -
1t aims to bring up the citizen to the standard
which God has set in the works Of nature around
u.s. 1t aims TO develop the treasures of mind
that they in turn may develop the material treas
ures of the State M
Mr.. Van Bokkeen understands his work.
He has devoted his life 10 the instruction Of
the young and the development Of the best meth
ode of training. He has entered on his duties
with that earnest enthusiasm that LIBERAL Christ
ian view which his office demands. He has Civ
en- us system of which the State may be proud,
O and we would be glad to hear that the Legisla-
ture had simply ratified his work, without at
tempting an alteration or amendment. 1t can
not be supposed that a body of men, taken from
all the pursuits of life, without having given the
subject thorough study, can prepare system of
education amid the bubbles and contention of
Legislative Hall and to curtail, amend and al
ter the one now before them, cahnot fail to weak
en- it, and may indeed, to a great extent, defeat,
the object had in view. 1t would be like maim-
ing and crippling man, and then expect him
to work as well or better than if he were sound.
We understand that the Committee have deci-
ded to strike oni the County Directorship-the
very clause upon which the efficiency of the sys-
tenn depends. Wherever this Office has been in
corporated into a school system it has been found
to work WELL Once established, it has never
been discontinued. Our schools must have ju-
dicious supervision there must be some one to
infuse life and energy into them; some one to
encourage and direct the teacher; some one to
enlighten and stimulate public enthusiasm for
the work Of education. This is the business of
the County Director. a''ol gig ~ go
Objection has also been made to the local taxa
ton provided for in the Bill. Now if the people
70 -. fov 4bav do
clare by vote. But until they do so declare We
don't see why Legislators shonld be SO chary of
asking them TO support their own institutions.
If the money thus acquired was TO go into the
pockets Of the members in the way of hundred
dollars mileage to EACH or were to be used for
buying specice for their per diem, there would
probably be less opposition to it. They might
even argue themselves into belief that they had
a constitutional right to it. o al.l1
1t is also proposed to. cut down the travelling
and other expenses of the State Superintendent
TO shamefully small sum- All this is the worst
sort of 'penny-wi and pound-foolish'' policy.
If we want school system we must expect to
pay for it. If it cost nothing it would be worth
nothing. b 1uasla
A liberal support OF Public Schools is the very
highest economy. 81 ignorance is the curse of
God !" Ignorance is the mother of vice -
are old sayings, but they are true as old.
And we verify believe il costs more 10 apprehend
aud punish the criminals made such for want of
proper education, than we expend each year for
the training ofthe young 30 als
b.
Will not our legislators rise to comprehen-
sion Of the Importance Of this matter will they
not realize that on their legislation depends the
future happiness, the virtue the intelligence, the
loyalty, the prosperity of Mary land I? 800
Gentemen, you are legislatng not alone for
the present but for all time The work that you
do now will live when your written records shall
have been resolved into dust, either in the hap
piness and prosperity, or in the ignorance and
misery of the generations that are yet in the fu
ture. Which shall it be2 A T0m
81 Colored Rebels. 2i a
Abolition in the south was practically accom-
plished by the Rebel Senate before they adjourn
ed deciding ia rnl and enu in 400 600 slayha tn