Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-04-13
FREE SCHOOLS,

4
posed to the education of the masses. 1t
seems incredible that in this ageand coun-
try a political party, appealing to the peo-
pie for support, should assume such posi-
ton upon great question of reform, but so
| it is, and we intend that the issue shall not
be forgotten.
If we comprehend correctly the theory
of our Government, we believe its very ex-
istence depends upon the intelligence, vir-
tue and integrity of the people, Just in
proportion as the citizen possesses such
qualifications. is he competent to discharge
his duties. If history teaches any one thing
more positively than all others, it is that
| the power, wealth and happiness of peo-
pie depends more upon their education
than upon their numbers, geographical sit
| uation or natural advantages. Weneed not
| recite instances to sustain such declara-
! ton, for it stands out prominently in the
| experience of every country of which we
have any record. 1t is only once in an age
that men are found who have the moral
courage to make known that they entertain
such views as we now hear expressed in
Tennessee. We have heard that i'm the de-
bates in the late Constitutional Convention
it was argued that the State had nothing
to do with the education of the Masses
and that it was not right to tax the pro-
perty of one citizen to educate the children
of another" 1t is surprising to hear such
sentiments proclaimed, but it is absolutely
humiliating to feel that they influenced
body of Lawmakers to Withhold from the
Constitution provision removing so vital
a question from the discretion ofsuch body
as our present General Assembly With
the action of that body fresh in the minds
of the Convention, it should have engraft-
ed in the Constitution a provision which
would have declared to the world that so
long as that was the organic law, Tennes-
see should have thorough system of pop
ular education. But the Democracy, true
to its creed, put its foot upon this heresy of
education, and still holds it there.
But we do not intend to make this issue
solely party issue. 1t is question too
vital to the cause of christianity and to
every reform movement, to be dragged into
the mire of strict partisan strife. 1t is a
question affecting every interest of the cit
izen and State. 1t is therefore question
upon which we think every good citizen
should have an opinion, and for which he
should be willing to work.
Facts are stubborn things, and sery often
can be forced through heads not otherwise
valuable. We have in the city of Knox
vile to-day hundreds of poor children
growing up in ignorance, idleness and vice.
We see them on every street, at all hours of
the day and night. Many of them have
good parents, and have fine natural abili-
ties. If afforded the advantages of COM
mon school education, they would all be-
come useful and good citizens. They are
not ignorant from choice, but from neces-
sity, for be ii said to our shame, we have no
schools where they can learn, much rs they
may desire it. The State, county and city,
with these facts known, allow these poor
children to grow up TO manhood. A few
of them, in spite of all their disadvantages,
may become useful citizens, but far too
many of them become charge upon the
State or our people. Onthe plea of econo-
my, or because of hardness of heart, we
deny them an education, but spend more
money for them in jails, courts and chart
ties. What we refuse to give them in the
shape of schools we are forced to give in
prison walls or in charity. 1t needs no
reasoning to demonstrate this, for our own
| experience and observation teach it.
But those who will not be influenced by
such considerations may be reached in other
ways. We all profess to be anxious to build
up our city and State. We boast very pro-
perly of our unsurpassed climate and great
natural resources. We offer rich ores and
forests of splendid timber. We offer adj
vantages in many respects which justly en-
title US to hope for rapid growth. But has
it ever occurred to our men of property and
capital that we lack one thing which, to
men in moderate circumstances in life, is
very important? If we ever expect to
make city of Knoxville, or great State
of Tennessee, we must have more labor.
But what laboring man would not hesitate
long about coming ON learning that his ex-
penses for educating his children would be
| from twenty-five to one hundred dollars
per child per year? If he is II man in the
| fullest sense of the word, he will be a. So
licitous of their education as of their health
We know of what we write when we say
that the want % free schools Is one OF the
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