Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-24

may well be cited as the sublimest
proof of the fitness of the American
people to administer the government
according to the pledges of the Dec
laration of independence
We have but to estimate where hui
man slavery would have carried our
country, in the course of another
generation, to realize the force of this
commanding truth. And as we dwell
upon the dangers we have escaped,
we may the better understand what
Jefferson meant when, in the compar-
ative infancy of human slavery, he
exclaimed, " tremble for my coun-
! try when | reflect that God is Just p
A simple glance at what must have
been our fate had slavery been per-
mitted to increase will be sufficient.
In 1860 the slave population amount
| ed, III exact numbers, to three mil
lions nine hundred and fifty-thre
thousand seven hundred and sixty
Taking the increase, 23.39 per cent,
from 1850 to 1860, as the basis of
calculation for every ten years, in
1900, they would have numbered at
least upwards of nine millions. What
Christian statesman, as he thanks
God for the triumph of the Union
arms, does not shudder at the terri
bic prospect presented by these start,
ling figures
But while there is cause for con-
slant solicitude in the natural irrita-
tions produced by such conflict, he
is but gloomy prophet who does not
anticipate that the agencies which
accomplished these tremendous re-
suits, will successfully cope with and
put down all who attempt to govern
the nation in the interests of defeated
ambition and vanquished treason
The people of the conquering North
and West have comparatively little
to do but to complete the good work.
They command tbe position. The
courage of the soldier and the saga
city OF the statesman, working har-
moniously, have now sealed and CON
tirmed the victory, and nothing more
is required but a faithful adherence
to the doctrines which have achieved
such marvellous results.
EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.
The overthrow of the rebellion has
changed the whole system of South.
ern society, and proportionately af-
fected other interests and sections.
Demanding the enlightenment of mil
lions, long benighted, it forces upon
the North and West the consideration
of a more perfect and pervading cdu-
cational policy.
Much as we have boasted, and have
reason to boast, of our common schools
we cannot deny, when we compare
them with those Of New England,
and contrast them with the prepara-
tions for the education of the South
ern people of all classes, that we
have much to overcome, if we would
equal the one, or stimulate the other.
The recent convention of County
School Superintendents of Peunsyl-
vania exhibits some startling facts,
which deserve the attention of the
people and their representatives
Yet it is not by Legislation alone that
any people can be brought to under
stand their relations to each other as
citizens Their best instructors are
themselves. However liberal the ap-
propriations may be, if these are not
seconded by that commendable spirit
which impels the parent to impress
upon the child the necessity of
sound moral and intellectual training
your representatives are generous, in
vain. Every thing depends upon the
people hence the great complaint,
preferred by the convention of teach
ers, of shortness Of terms in some
districts, of the small attendance of
enrolled scholars, of the employment
of unqualified instructors, and of the
want of proper school houses, results
unquestionably not so much from the
indifference of the State, as from the
negligence of those who are invited
to share and to enjoy the blessings
of cheap and admirable system of
popular education If my fellow
citizens will only recollect the differ,
ence between the opportunities of the
present generation and those of their
fathers, and how much is to be gain
ed by a cultivation of modern facili-
ties, they will require little exhorta-
ton to the discharge of the duties
which relate almost exclusively to
themselves and to those nearest and
dearest to them.
The Importance Of common schools
in a republican government can ncy-
er be fully estimated. To educate
the people is the highest public duty.
To permit them to remain in ighor-
ance is inexcusabIe. Every thing,
therefore, should be encouraged that
tends to build up, strengthen nd el-
evate our State on the sure founda
ton of the education of the people.
Every interest and industrial pursuit
will be aided aud promoted By its
operations every man who is edu-
Gated is improved in usefulness, in
proportion as he is skilled in labor,
or intelligent in the professions, and
is in every respect more valuable to
society. Education seems to be es-
sential to loyalty, for no State in the
full enjoyment of free schools, ever
rebelled against the government.
Pennsylvania should be the van
guard in the great mission of educa
tion. She should remember that S
she has been the mother OF States,
she should also be the teacher of
States. The great problem of civil
lization is how to bring the higher
intelligence of the community, and