The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-09-24
s.Education, the Bnnc Of Democracy"

Such is the tlippant jccr made ut the
Democratic party by some OF the Rad
ical prints. Let us see exactly how
this matter stands.
The very word Democracy, derived
from the Greek, lisa synonyme tor pop
ular intelligence. The Greeks claimed
that the people (aemos) of their country
were as capable of governing us were
the military grandecs (nristos.) low
far this opinion was and is correct,
history may decide: but the Greeks
were certainly very great people.
With Grccian soldiers, Alexander, in
twelve years, marched probably ten
thousand miles, fought and conquered
every nation that resisted him; while
in the arts and literature the Grccian
models are the best, with all of our
civilization and knowledge, we can find
to-day.
The term Democracy was adopted
in the early days OF the American Re
public to signify that the people, the
masses, were capable of self-govcrn-
mcnt. Then the voting masses were
all intelligent; if they are not now, the
fault is with the Republicans. Thomas
jefferson, the founder and exponent OF
American Democracy, was pre-cmi-
nently distinguished both for learning
and for zeal in establishing schools and
colleges in his noble State, Old Virginia.
No man Of his time did more, very few
us much, for the promotion of general
public education. His proudest mon
ument Che so regarded it) is the Uni
versity of Virginia. lie had an abiding
faith in the governing capacity OF viz
. tue and intelligence, and none seem to
doubt that he was correct. except the
! Republicans.
Jefferson mantle of learning and
, liberty fell gracefully upon his Demo
cratic followers, who, initiating his
), noble example, originated and cstab-
lishcd the Common School system in
nearly all of the States of the Union.
list of DID, or the Wing of more recent
,, origin, in what each did for education:
!, but merely affirm that the Demo-
I crats,-thc people VIII" believed i'll
o self government by the educated and
Z virtuous,-weret the projectors and pio-
. ncers of that system of education which
y is now the browning glory of our coun-
$ try. In proportion rs the efforts OF
+ the Democrats have been successful in
j. behalf Of education, in that proportion
S the country has prospcred. 1t was re-
j served for the Rrpublicons to strike
q education its fatal blow, in the politi
4 cal acknowledgements of the negro, an,
a in the consolidation Of the powers o
+ the general government, whereby edu
cation became poor bauble and con
% stitutional popular government a mis-
v cradle farce.
We are aware of the pretcnsions sc
: up by the Republicans as patrons an'
!, guardians of public schools, and of tn.
g senseless show and parade made b.,
them to maintain their tlimsy claims
:, but for whom have their efforts beer
i, made, and for what purpose? Wha
, have they done for the white people il
, regard to education? Literally, moth
ing in the North: while in the Sontl
a. their every step has been to break dow
q and destroy the public schoo system, AN,
to plunge the white children into wors,
than Cimmcrian darkness. In this State
:, their legislation. construed most favor
~ ably, is terribly confused, and contcm
plates mixed schools, which, ever,
- Radical OF common sense, knows to b.
morally and socially wrong. From tn
day of Esau to this moment, this IN
- natural admixture of the two race
!, has been blight and Il curse Thi
prating of the Radicals about education
- moral ideas, social progress-these full
some notices of school examination
:. and of splendid school houses-are tn
suggestions of partisan greed and ma
!; lcvolencc. and the worst form of dcm,
-, gogucism!
, The great trouble of Democracy, il
- this age, is to overcome and cnlightel
the ignorant. The want of our rulers
to-day, is virtue and Neutrality-suspicious.
t. Democracy The incubus which rest
:, like Il mountain upon the country, i
G the bcsottcd ignorance, vice and vcnal
j. ity clothed with power and elevated t
=. place by the Republican party, an,
- which, barring Il return of Dcmocrac,
It to power, will vet cngulf the Repuhl
: in hopeless ruin. But let the Demo
n Gratis once assume the reignS of govern