Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-10-24
BY PROF. II. j. SMITH.

NJ Iis'F' ~ ~. 9hIih'
Education is Il subject which has been
spoken and written on by the greatest minds
that ever graced n pulpit, defended cause
at the bar, or stood upon the floors of our
legislative halls. II has been discussed i'll
every light in which il is possible TO view
it. And, yet, there has never been truly
good or great man, of any profession who
has opposed it. II is true we find some
brilliant minds who for base purposes, and
biser ends, Will oppose il; hut while to the
mob they do so, when within their cham
bcrs, during the lonely watches of the night,
they will acknowledge the benefits of il;
and perhaps, "when thoughts of the last
bitter hour come like n blight over their
spirits, they Nill resolve 10 do better in the
future but whcn daylight withiis pleasures
and anlusrmtnls comes they forget their re-
solves, but to be made and broken again.
We do not feel competent for the task be-
fore us, but we wric if peradHeniure we
may say something which may influence the
people Of our State to awake 10 the truth to
see the immense Importance of work before
u.s. Would to God we could say something
that would get both teacher and pupil to think
Alright on this subject and to work for IFS ad-
vanccmcnt. 1t Is in vain for the teacher to
strive to raise the standard of education here
TO level with our sister States, unless they
have the support of the people. II is the sa-
cred duty of the people to rise on Wdsse,
and at the ballot-boX instruct their legisla
tors with reference to this matter as well as
with reference to any of the political qucs-
tons Of the day and is OF vastly more i'm
portancc. We stand upon the platform of
the principles which underlie Americas free
institutions, viz :-'.That il is the right OF
the majority to rule And therefore we
appeal TO the masses of the people TO lake
this matter TO heart TO cherish education as
they would their dearest interests. 10 cherish
it as they value the future of the offspring
which God has given them TO love, cherish
and protect For il must be obvious to
every thinking mind that the teacher, with
few coadutors, can do nothing toward
rcvouiionzing the whole common school
system of our State. We need good,
thorough common school system put into
operation as the basis of the educational
fabric. We want good normal schools,
for the training Of the teachers, in
every county; we want Academies,
Scminarics, and Colleges, both Eng
lish and Classical male and female, to
complete the structure. The masses OF the
people should have the chance Of attaining
CDlullluu IllSllsu 81 NOult
have no excuse, but lcthargy, for not learn
ing at least TO read and write. Persons
may and will come forward and give as an
excuse for their ignorance, that they had
not an opportunity to learn even as much as
| to read the Bible, or sign their own name
In answer TO such, we would say that, If in
no other way than simply by imitation, they
could learn to sign their own name, and
with one months study, after they had ar
lived At a mature age, they .could have
learned to read. There is no excuse for such
| ignorance as we see exhibited every day, in
Il country Of freedom of speech and the
press, freedom of religion and politics. We
say the Americans are u free, enlightened
people, and yet the people, as whole, OF
| the minor despolisms Of the German States
| are far in our van. But do not understand
| us to say anything against our country. for
we thank God to day that we have our be.
ing in a land Of freedom and education, and
we thank God that the cause of education
is moving forward we are fast moving
to the contest with, and the overthrow of.
ignorance and its attendant evils. 1t is true
| that crime and inlamy stalk abroad in the
| bright noon-day sun, hut they arc becoming
sun struck, ard gradually rcceding TO their
| sirongholds under the cover OF night.
Grin is caused by the absence of educa-
| tion and refinement in the human mind
Education, industry, lrugalily,virtue and in
| telligcnce 20 hand in hand. Possessed of
these no nation can remain long poor or
weak devoid of these whatever may he its
natural advantages, 10 nation can lie either
rich or powerful Patriotism. therefore, no
less than religion, would teach lis TO culti-
valc these habits in others As well us in onr-
selves. They are the true principles which
uuderlic ;l true government and especially
ii Republican form. Go to yonr prisons,
where criminals of all grades, from the rcd
handed murderer 10 the unfortunate who
has committed petty theft.
| Go search the dcns, novels and caves OF
the earth where human beings live like
bruics, and famine, disease, crime and drunk
cnncss hold wild rcvpl; and see If Ignorance
rules not there supreme. ~ education we
mean The proper training Of the mind,
whether il br learned from textbooks oI
from experience. Then let us love learn
ing with love cocval with life, LEI
us cherish il rs we would have our country
prosper let us contemplate the benefits IA
he derived from it, IN connection with the
future wel!;;rc ot tie rising generation, as
wcl as th future Of our country. Let il be
proclaimed from The pulpit; let il he advo-
Gated al tllr bar; lei laws iUr It's benefit bt
made hy our I,cgi>latNrr; III the teacher
make It's advancement Ills study by day and
night lei the ptoll. talk Of il at HE tiresde
until our little State shall rcsnund with its
glorious benefits from boundary To bounda
ry. and until the people, with iLe will as o
nnr mln shall say, make us the laws ant
W. will appreciate and support them.