The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-01-22

tons may be, if these are not seconded by that
commendable spirit which iInpels the parent tc
impress upon the child the necessity of a sound
moral aud intellectual training, your represent
atives are generous, in vain. Everything de
pendS upon the people hence the grrat com.
plant, preferred by the convention of teachers
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 un.
qnestionably not so much from the indifference
of the State as from the negligence of those
who are invited to share and enjoy the bless
ings of cheap and admirable system of popua
lar education. Ifmy fellow citizens will only
recollect the difference between the Opportuni-
ties of the present generation and those of their
fathers and how much is te be gained by a cul-
tivation of modern facilities, they will require
little eXhortation to the discharge of duties
which relate almost exclusively to themselves
and to those nearest and dearest to them.
The importance of common schools; in re-
publican government, can never be fully est-
mated. To educate the people is the highest
public duty. To permit them to remain in ig-
norance is eneXcusable. Everything, therefore,
should be encouraged that tends to build up,
strengthen and elevate our State on the sure
foundation Of the education of the people
Every interest and industrial pursuit will be
aided and promoted by its operations every
man who is educated is improved in usefulness
In proportion as he is skilled III labor, or intel
llgent in the professions, aud is in every respect
more valuable to society. Education seems to
be essential to loyalty, for no State in the full
enjoyment Of free schools, ever rcbelled against
the government.
Pennsylvania should be the vanguard of ed
ucati"u, She should remember that as she has
been the mother of States, she should also be
the teacher Of States. "The great problem OF
civilization Is how to bring the higher inteli-
gence oi The community, and its better moral
feelings, to bear upon the masses of the people
so that the lowest grades of intelligence and
morals shall always be approaching the higher
and the higher still rising. A church purified
Of superstition solves part of this problem, and
good school system does the rest
TIE STATE MILITARY.
Nothing after the education Of the people
contributes more to the security of a state
than a thorough military system. The fathers
of the Republic, acting upon the instinct OF
preparing for war in time of peace, embodied
this knowledge among the primary obligations
Of the citizen. Yet the rebellion found us
in our institutions was so firm that the idea
Of an attack upon them from any quarter
much less from those who had been the
spoiled children" of the government" was
never believed possible, however threatened.
The first clash of arms found us equally un-
deceived and unorganized, and we very soon
experienced that the contrivers of the great
slave conspiracy had not only strengthened
themselves by the stolen ships, arms and for
tihcationS of the government, but had been
for yems designedly lns.ructng their youth in
the science Of arms; and VIXEN tie bloody
tempest opened upon US they were ready to
spring at tie heart Ofthe Republic, while the
citizens, in whose hands the government was
left, were compelled to protect themselves
and their country as best they could.
When we reflect upon the terrible sacrifices
we endured 10 maintain our liberties, and an
ticipated that glorious period Of our country
when the whole continent viii be dedicated
to human freedom, and when the despotisms
of the earth will construe our example into a
standing threat against their tyranny, we can
not disregard the consideration ofthis impor-
tant subject.
As before remarked, PENNSYLVANIA contri-
buted ever three hundred thousand troops to
the national cause: Dcducting the loss Of
nearly thirty Thousand by wounds ana disease
incurred in the field, what an immense army
has been left to circulate among and to edu-
cate the mass Of our population Properly
COmprehending this thought, we have at once
the secret of our past success, our present
safety and our future power. i woHd be
easy to create an emulation in the science of
arms among the youth Of the State, bypropef
organization, and to dissemenate, in all our
schools, that loyalty to the whole country,
without which there can be no permanent
safety for our liberty.
In their late report, the visitors to west
Point Military Academy laid q significant
stress upon the necessity of such precep-
tors, in the future, as would teach the student
of that institution their first and unavoidable
to the principles upon which the
government itself repoSeS. The neglect of this
kind of instruction was felt in almost every
during the recent conflict; and it
Is not going too far to say that many who dis
their oathS, and who Grew their
swords against the government that had euu-
Gated and nourished them, found mere
tricious consolation in the fact that they were
permitted to cherish an allegiance to the State
in which they were born, which conaicted
with and destroyed that love Of country which
should be made supreme and above all other
political obligations.
IT. in or past and recent experience, there
has been exhibited the rtluable and splendid
achievement of our volunteers in the national
defense, there has also been shown the necess-
ity for military skill, and that knowledge of,
and familiarity with; the rules of discipline so
essentially necessary in their prompt and eff
fectual employment. In order, therefore, to
make our military system effective, we should
have particular regard for the lesson, that to
prevent or repel danger our Stale should al.
ways have a well disciplined forced prepare to
act with promPtness aud yigor an any emer-
gency; nor should we forget that it is impos-
sible to tell how soon our warlike energies may
again be required in tBf field.
HOME RESOURCES AND HOME LABOR.
In nothing have our trials dUring the war,
and the resulting triumphs TO our arms been
SO full of compensation as in the establish
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