The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-11-25
Education for the People.

Education Ter the PEOPLE.
Having achieved national independence,
among the first subjects to which the Fathers
of the Republic gave legislative attention
was that of education.
The Congress of the Confederation in 1855,
in an ordinance disposing of lands in the
Western Territory, reserved section sixteen
of every township for the maintenance of
public schools.
The ordinance of 1857, g for the govern
ment of the territory Of Ohio" not only con-
frmed the ordinance of 1885, but declared
" that religion. morality and knowledge be-
ing necessary to good government and the
happiness of mankind, schools and the means
of education shall be forever encouraged"
This shows very clear and decided views
on the part of the founders Of the republic.
Schools and the means of education SHALL
be FOREVER encouraged" Through sill
time they must be encouraged. There is no
circumstance or condition possible that can
release the Republic from this obligation.
They are to be encouraged by the Govern
ment; in the territories by the National Gov
eminent in the States by the Legislatures
thereof. Consequently, the general govern
ment has, at great expense, placed the States
in possession of power sufficient for this en-
enlargement. This advantage the Southern
States, by rebellion, threw away.
1t is evident that the trainers of the Con-
stitution of the United States understood
that the power to provide for public educa-
ton was as certainly committed to the gene
raj government as the power to lay and
collect taxes, and to provide for the common
defence and the general welfare. Gouverneur
Morris, of New York, held, according to Mr..
Madison, that the power to establish at the
seat OF Government a University for the adj
vancement of useful knowledge and the pro-
motion of agriculture commerce, trades and
manufacturers was included in the grant of
exclusive legislation over the district in
which the seat of government should be 10
Gated. The Convention agreed with him.
President Washington held, that the power
to encourage agriculture, trade, manufactu-
rers, and education, was included in the first
clause of the enumerated powers of Congress,
viz: " to lay taxes and to provide for the
common defence and general welfare of the
United States"
The American doctrine then, is this, what
| ever government has control of the general
welfare, whether that government be national
OF State, it must provide the means of edu-
cation. .l..
On the Sth of January, 1890, Washington
said to Congress:
knowledge is in every country, the surest
basis of public happiness. In one, in which the
measures o! government receive their impression
SO immediately from the sense OF the community,
as in ours, it is proportionabiy essential. To the
security of free Constitution it contributes in
various ways, 10y convincing those who are in
trusted with tile public administration, that exc
~ valuable end of government is best answered
by the enlightened confidence OF the people, and
by teaching the people themselves to know ard
to value their own rights; to discern end provide
against iuvasions Oitbem; to distinguish between
oppression and the exercise of lawful authority,
| between burdens proceeding from disregard 10
| their convenience aud those resulting IRON the
inevitable eXigencies OF society; 10 discriminate
the spirit OF liberty from that of RIGHTEOUSNESS
chershing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting
speedy but temperate vigilance against en-
| croachIaehts with an inviGlabe respect Tor the
| laws"
Wise words Legislators of 1868 in North
! Carolina are eXhorted to consider them well.