Smyrna times., 1870-03-02

the right OF claim of the preceding one, such
preparation as shall fit its members Tor the
discharge of all duties lawfully devolving upon
them. Still education is opposed by many on
the ground, that such a system is an encrOach-
ment upon individual liberty-a usurpation of
individual rights 1t is further urged, that if
the State be allowed to take the cause of
education under its CONTROL so can it with
equal prOpriety and consistency, assume iuris
dlctlOn over religious matters, and enforce the
adoption of religion. The argument is evi-
IDENTITY touHded upon gross misconcepton of
the difference between religion and education
Religion, as all know, is matter between man
and his Creator. A Truth, for the establish
ment of which, the very world has been con-
vused to its centre by the shocks Of conflicting
| parties. The horrors of the InquisitOrial age,
the seas of blood shed in the Netherland
conflicts, the burning of victims at the stake
III England, and elsewhere, and the massacre
of St. Bartholomew, all were links in the grand
chain of reasoning which led to the acceptance
OF this principle by the enlightened world
Americans justly pride themselves on the fact
that here the Church and the State are totally
separate organizations. Our government looks
not to mans rellglOn-Jew or Greek, it makes
no difference, so long as he is an intelligent,
laval tiding citizen. Every subject is allowed
| to adhere to whatever religious persuasion he
may think fit, and no hateful system of e>pion-
age Is introduced to ascertain his religious in
c!inations. All required IS that he should
obey the civil law, and endeavOr to fulfill his
duties as man and a member of society
There are certain broad, fundamental princi-
pies, underlying all State Legislation, breath
ing the Spirit of Christianity; beyond these it
has no other especial tendencies However in
timatey united Religion and Education may
seem to be, close inspection will prove to any
sensible mind that religion is entirely out Of
the question of State legislation. 1t may en-
courage, by fostering every means to extend
Its blessed Influences, but cOmpulsiOn is utterly
impossible, III a Republican government, on
indeed in any kind. Education, as has been
shown, is demanded for the security of the
State. 1t is duty of self preservation. 1t i,
a question of economy. 1t is defense against
vice and poverty; it is the right of every ind
vdual as much as the air we breathe. There
fore, if the State has any right to legisate upor
matters pertaining to its welfare and security
it has right to legislate upon education. Edu
Gated, to certain extent, the subject is bette
t able to form his own religious conclusions
Servlilty Is the characteristic OF unenlightencC
minds, and when it is urged that education
: controlled by the State, tends to create a Spiri
e of servllity among the people, forcibe refu
G tatlon can be found in the case of Prussia
e her clCzenS exhibit anything else but Servll
spirit, and with her the State education is cal
t ried out to the letter. 1t is not to be suppose
t that we would convert the State into wholesal
n mandatory of philosophers and learned mer
e but only let each citizen be beftted to fulfil tn
e duties devolving upop him as a citizen. Amer
Il can like, we proudly claim for our country pre-
# cedency in the progress of the sciences, an
f the development Of the arts in their appci
l. ton to the necessities of our daily vocation
J. We further, with good cause, pride ourseivC
y upon the almost inexhaustible resources
wealth which nature has SO abundantly lavsl
n ed upon US. And now that the population
g dOubly augmented by the natural increase
at home, and by the almost overwhelming infu
r. from abrOad-is annually becoming greater
n, the tens of thousands, may she now exter
u the Incompatible advantages of education
5 all-rich and poor-lest division occur, at
Ill may she fully vindicate her claim to being IL
er Land of the free and the Home of Il
e. Blest."