Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-10
National System of Education.

Tho Rev Charles Brooks Of Medlord. Mass
On accomplished scholar and educational think.
gr, haa lately published pamphlet entitled
" 4 National System Of Education" which has
de.ergeiIy attrated the earnest attention Of The
leading men Of The nation, and been sub
lecf 81 interesting discussion in our best news
papers The author Of this pamphlet has been
widely known Tor many years us a man who
hes devoted much valuable thought to the sub
leet OF education, and as early rs l849, drew
public attention somewhat to himself as the
adyoeata Of Ihe National System. The exciting
political contests which marked our history for
the ten years preceding the war, Of course, were
moi favorable to securing full public hearing
tor thia proposed enlargement Of our education.
al ayf.om, and when tho wsr actually cane 1t
waa no timo then, Of course to talk about
/" National Systems" to O people who we're at
timyi uncertain Of the perman9nce Of Their
National existence But as the cl4sh Of arms
dies finally away, it seems iittins time to build
up those amelorating, humannlng, educating
influences, the want OF WnosO thorough dls9cm-
.ul,i)n mako oil nations reader prey to civil
wars and connections An intelligent educated
South would have boon too wise to have wasted
it5 material resources in fighting the North.
Mr.. Brooks plan Is stated thus briefly and
.orclby by himself 10 DO /" the extending Of tho
New England system Of free schools 10 State
Colleges ana b National Universities The
tom viii gre &c, supper. and manage its tree
scACo and elect aad Ply rs teachere without
lot or AaJrauCo The STATE will create sup
port md manage it5 free colleges, aud elect aud
pay V teachers by the same ruls The United
state w.li crsate, support and manage its free
! uaus Lea, and c.cot and paJ its teachers,
Thus ta. 81 hole system balns with the people,
goes 900 with tho people, and ends with the PEG
/ pie eud ~ deslgned 10 benefit all, OF every
| place, condition and color. NO plan can be
more purely democratic and possess the requisite
efficiency. Each tree sCh0O. 10 town, and
each iI0a college in O State, will make ito annual
report 90 lu State government; and each State
government viii make IT, annual report to the
naIOnal government and each national Uni
verify wiU make ts annual report 10 the gen.
erli -Yegument
'ltis apparent from these facts, that the
national government viii be obliged 70 see that
/ ey.fY STATE has IL free schools and free colleges
HlI .l-l leave Che citizens to manage the rest VI
! G. busines' ln their own wy. The national
government Ill have The c1bt,ol Of the national
IuuYg-sIu-s, cleet,uT .1ei- cheers and teachers
determining their studies, aud regulating oil
their affairs. The various branches VI study IN
the free schools and lee colleges Of a State
would 30 arranged 10 ach that there would
/ ID Is natural sequence from the Primary Seheol
0 tie National University. BY my plan, ~.
offices VI instruction 10 colleges and universities
| wi.. De 1rca t5 cene0urs, which y the trae
democratic mode, giving every person an equal
ngh5 IND an equal chance. Neither social RAM
nor hereditary prestige, can bs OF any avail
| iae greatest scholar aud best teacher will gain
lha place, as DO does 10 France"
| Among tho distinguished men who are warn
/ enlisted in the lurtherance OF this scheme Of
| Education, are Senator's W ilson and Sumner,
Iaud E1-G0y. Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts,, Judge
I tr4an, ef New Hampshire, and Gov. Curtin
Iui Pennsylvania. Through the influence Of
Gov Curtin tho National Teachers Association,
70 their les. meeting 10 pItisburg gave in their
adherence TO tlis grea. proJgci, and 1t is expect
I eI tla. Congress will be memori4lized upon the
subject 40 the coming Session. The only serious
objection 10 this scheme which presented itself
! 90 Gle minds " Senators Wilson aud Sumner,
was ,he possible doubt q the power Of Congress
o7 doc constitution to legisiats 10 futheance &
t4ls " National System, which they both
heartily approved. The reply OF Mr.. Brooks to
| this objection would seem to be conclusive,
when be SAYS If it is no. constitutional, then
tio aci of tso years ago, by which Congress
/ granted land g. the VARIOUS states Tor agrlcu-
tufAl colleges is not constitutional, Tor It Con-
gfca, can lsgslats to educate the agriculturist.,
is can also legislale 70 educate the whole nation
" The Loyal Union League" Of New York
| City h.Te already Published this pamphlet a.
,le.r oau expense, t0r genera! circulation, and
WI 7a.1 TIA; our iell0w-cltizsn, Col. Cannon
:. gin.ly interested IN the contamination oil
81 gstat Reform.