Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-05-11
DEMOCRACY AND EDUCATION.


radikelsm.' The Democracy of Tennes-
see have proceeded on the same theory,
though there sentiments have heretofore
been expressed in better English. We are
not surprised, that with such sentiments
governing them, the Union and american
finds such serious objections to the bin in
troduced in Congress, some days ago, by
Mr.. Hoar, of Massachusetts,, to promote
education throughout the United States.
We do not think the opposition to the bill
is based so much on the legal objections
which are suggested, as upon the bitter
hostility of Democracy to the elevation
and independence of the masses. There
can be no reasonable objection to the gene
raj government taking hold of this ques-
ton, and securing to the people in every
State the first great requisite to self-gov-
characterization. If it were certain
that they would be afforded this privilege
through State agencies and efforts, it would
be, perhaps wiser to leave it to the States ;
but if the ruling wealthy citizens of a
State refuse to give to the masses the privi-
leges of education, we see no objection to
the privilege being given them through
federal legislation. We have not seen the
particular bill to which the Union and
american refers, and do not say that there
are NJ. Objectionable features to it; but we
do say THAT as an abstract question, we
believe Congress certainly has the power to
provide educational advantages for the peo-
pie. We might, from our general know
ledge of Mr.. Hoars eminent legal talents,
safely say. that we do not 'belieyt that any
tenable objections can be raised to his bill,
but we do not now propose to go into the
defence of BILL the provisions of which
we have never seen. The object we now
have in view, is simply to note the object
ions made against sssystemFof education
to he controlled by Congress.
1t is said that the school teachers to be
located throughtthe country under the pro-
visions Iof'such a law would be so many
political drillsergednts " for the Repub-
lican party.
If such objections iliS based upon the
general principle that school teachers and
the friends Of education are Republicans,
we aceapt thdohjection az well taken. We
confidently believe that threc-fourth4 of the
school teachers in the United States are in
sympathy with the Republican party! The
reasons sobvious. 1t is the friend and sup
porter of schools while Democracy, in
most cases opposes them.
But if it is supposed that such teachers
would prostitute their position to partisan
intrigues and corruption, we think the
Union ana 1Dcricd' very grossly misrep-
resents the class. Ii is an unfair and I'M
just way te-argue the question, and il not
creditable to those who undertake it. at
would bring into the field political army
of $1,000 plant men, who prefer political
drilling to ordinary work in the field and
shop" Such reckless, unfounded charges
against a most honorable and worthy pro-
fession shows the bitterness and fear which
tn" Democracy entertain for its glorious
work. But are not the same objections as
plausible against every system of general
education? There must be center of APP
pointing power in every state system of
education, and it would be just as valid am
objection to every such system to say that
to the political party for the time domi-
nant, 1T afforded an army of ''pliant men, !"
political drill sergeants."
The Republican party would be very
foolish To establish such a system. To he
used for such purposes, just now, when, if
the Union and 1mericoa j. correct, it is
about to he hurled from power by an indig-
nant and outraged people" If the De-
mocracy IL so soon to regain its a-cendancy
III Congress and at the White House, would
1t object to having control of such Il plant
army of 10000 political drill sergeants?
such objections are not even worthy of At
tention. They come from contracted
minds, who view questions entirely from
partisan standpoint. They cannot sepa-
rate the merits of such question from the
effect it will have upon their political
schemes, and whenever it conflicts with
the latter their course is certain. We hone
the friends of education in Congress will
not be disturbed by such opposition. We
assure them it comes from men whose in
huence even i'm Tennessee j. on the wane
WHEN we undertake To keep the Pceas
and Herald informed as To Conpression-
al matters, we will answer its question.
propounded yesterday morning concerning
the German resolutions. 1t sneaks out of