Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-03-26

Mr. Davis inquired whether Mr.. Edmund,
knew how many removals had been made by
jefferson.
Mr.. Edmunds again confessed his ignorance
Mr.. Davis said there were only about twenty
Mr.. Edmunds was pleased that there was one
gentleman in the Senate who had been identified
with the government and was familiar with the
details of its history from the days of Washing
ton down to the present time. (Laughter.)
Mr.. Davis suggested that the Senator from
Vermont would do well to make himself more
familiar with that history before going so much
into its details
Mr. Edmunds thought it unnecessary for him
to do so, as the Senate was bound to keep ju-
dical notice of the history Of the government
from the earliest day, as embodied in the person
/ Of the distinguished Senator from Kentucky.
| (Laughter.)
Mr.. Davis-I will give you more of it by
and by.
The following excellent article is from the Bos-
ton Trareiler 1t contains soUe wholesome
truths, pointedly set forth;
The Influence Of our Public Schools,
In the years eighteen hundred and fiy-one and
two, George 5 Boutwell, was Governor Of Massa-
chusetts. Henry Wilson was President of the
Senate. and Nathaniel p Banks was Speaker Of
the House of Representatives. Ii was quite a
new era in the politics Of this State. They held
the three most important political offices in the
Commonwealth. They were all young men,
educated in the public schools, without any
powerful friends to lean upon, or great infu
ences in their favor They fought their way,
single-handed, through every thing that wealth
and prestige could bring against them, to those
high positions which before had been almost al
ways filed by what was called Sc educated and
influential men," They have all continued in
public life ever since, rising step by step to the
most responsible positions in the nation. Every
body must acknowledge, without regard to party
predictions, their distinguished abilities and
grand success. Where else on earth and under
what institutions could such young men be edu-
Gated in free public schools So as to fit themselves
for such positions, They have undoubtedly felt
the great want Of higher education, and have
hborei increasingly TO acquire knowledge in
every direction. Had they graduated at Oxford
or Cambridge they probably would have felt
equal want and necessity.
What proof these men furnish Of the value Of
our public schools. By the laws Of the State
parents are compelled TO give their children the
advantages of elementary education There is
enough caught, and taught well enough, in our
public schools, TO prepare the children Of the
poorest parents for aimest any business or posi-
ton in public or private life, and these advanta-
yes are increasing every year. The great object
is TO bring out all the genius and enterprise Of
all the people If we were 10 close the schools
and reduce every man educated there TO the con-
dition Of a day lab0rer, what would become Of
our commerce, manufactures and mercantile
business Who are the men Of growing wealth
and influence in the State, Nine-tenths Of the
usefulness and enterprise in Massachusetts, comes
out Of the public school room. And it is our
creates, glory that SO large a portion of our dis
tinguishel public men and merchant princes
are indebted for what they are to our system Of
free schools By free schools we mean not only
schools maintained at public expense, but free in
broader seuse-free from political, religious,
scientific and social intolerance, where the mind
works for itself IN the direction Of its greatest
straightforward the child begins to think, con-
tIive and plan for himself, the moment he be
gins to learn. The people understand this, and
they are in advance Of Legislation and law in
their support Of public schools. s. long as We
can pour out AN army Of twenty-five thousand
recruits yeir from our public schools INFO the
service of public ami private enterprise, Mas
,aciu-e-ts will maintain her influence and her
prosperity.