Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-09-22
TYNER CORRESPONDENCE.
Numb Der Six.
-~----4---
COMMON SCHOOLS.
BIT CoSMo CRANIA.

our country is one of he noblest enter
prises of the American people. We point
to our free schools as the very bulwark
of our national independence. They have
made us what we now archie wisest
and most heroic people on earth. To day
our great nation stands o ut among the
nations of the earth, as the beacon light
of the world
country SAYS:
"Wiih America and in America, new
era commences in human affairs. This
era is distinguished by free representa-
tive governments, by entire religious
liberty, 10y improved systems of national
intercourse, by a newly awakened, and
unconquerable spirit of free cnqEiTy;
and by diffusion of know lodged through
the community, before altogether I'M
know and unheard Of"
And such indeed is the truth. Our
national prosperity is the result of int Iii
gent freedom, and the y Use use of liber-
". All Divine teachings have shown
that the true basis of civil and political
liberty is rig id adherence TO intelligent
freedom, and entire conservation 10 the
cause of general education. Ii is this
which thoroughly 1mercdni=cs our
citizens. Every nation upon the face Of
the globe has its distinctive policy. We
have ours, which consists IN the general
difusions of practical knowledge; and
this Is accomplished in our system of free
schools.
We are not opposed to institutions of
learning, claiming the distinctive appeila
lions of Academies and Colleges. These.
in their sphere or at least many of them
are doing much good in the canse OF edu-
cation. Blu, these are nos the institutions
that give nerve and solidity to our national
government, there are but few of the
youths of America. comparatively speak
ing who receive their education in these
institutions. The poor mans children
cannot expect prepare themselves for
the active duties of life in them. The ex-
pense of four or five years instruction Is
beyond their near ;.
Now we propose that the common or
free Schools be the peoples colleges.
where The poor mans children shall meet
the same level with those of he wealthy.
Besides in these schools every thing of
sectarian character is wisely prohibited.
For one au opposed to all Institutions
of learning under the control and sssper-
vision of any religious denomination.
Such institutions are not the safeguards
Of impartial freedom. And the day that
these usurp the place of the common
schools of our own country, this free gov
eminent Of ours goes down amid clouds
and darkness.
Let me then appeal to the citizens of
our country 10 frown down every attempt
to build up scctarian institutions of learn
ing, In wratevsr garh they may appear.
Our county is full enough already of these
aristocratic schools. and in many places
they are telling tesrially in the interests
of the free school system
A part of the religious element Of our
country has boldly arrayed Itself against
popular education by means of the free
school system. and have demanded part
of the general sehool fund, TO be applied
otherwise than designed by the school law.
And why is this demand made Simply
because, the system OF free schools is the
protective policy of individual as we'll as
national liberty. 1t has accomplished |
wonders for US as people; ard is at this |
moment elevating the masses above the |
bigotry and superstition of past ages.
The right of tlainlng our children for
their duties TO God and the State is as we
have minated tie principle object of
our government; and this it does through |
the medium of free schools. II has given |
outright for educational purposes more |
than 80 millions of acres of land, which |
at the minimum government price are
worth nearly 20 millions OF dollars
About or , millions of dollars are paid |
annually for the support Of comuoL
schools; and there is no child so vile Tar
poor, but what can receive from these
schools a liberal education. And, although |
every thing seotarian is excluded, yet
Bible morals, as well as the rudiments of
science, are daily taught. thus giving
moral dignity and manly character to
those educational eader The free school
system.
The. tone of our national life through
the influence Of our system of public in
structsen is such as to maintain AN intelli-
gent Independence, Which our citizens