The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-07-28
EDUCATE THE MASSES.

WE never did subscribe to the old |
saw, that "when ignorance is bliss, tits
folly to be wise" We do not think
the ''bliss of ignorance" is an eXquis-
lite sort of condition. The lower ami
mails are negatively happy, but with
them instinct supplies the lack of edu-
cation and reason. They go on from
age to age, the theories of DARWIN to
the contrary, Notwithstanding, and
learn nothing, and with the best in
structions man can give them, they
remain brutes. In proportion as mans
reason is not trained, or brought to act
upon subjects that cannot be compTe-
hended without reflection, he resem-
bles the brute. Society knows the
penalty it pays for ignorance, and
seeks TO avoid it. 1t has discovered
that to harmonic incompatibilities
and restrain assion, the minds of men
must be brought into contact with
truth as it exists in Nature. Disciplin-
ing the mind, is like the process of
opening farm, arranging garden or
chiseling the marble until the I'M
shapely mass stands out in bold relief,
Venus or an Apollo.
We see itstated that North Carolina
and Tennessee are represented by the
10 20 .o,,e,,s, - osa,,l or the haaA IF IL
literate States. This means that, ac-
cording to population, greater popu-
lation Of people in these States than in
Others, are uneducated. When we re-
call the list of great names these
States have given to the world, VIC
wonder how this can be. The glori-
Gus old North State has produced men
who would honor any nation and any
age. Tennessee's great men have
been Ieckoned among the foremost of
their day; and the achievements of
her many illustrious sons, in the csbi-
net and in the field, have added bright
and imperishable lustre to the honor
and glory of our country. But it aP-
pears that whatever they achieved in
the field, the forum, the cabinet or
elsewhere, their fame is not enhanced
by the record of their achievements in
the greater field of education. The
first duty that intelligence owes to ig-
norance, is TO lift it up. A great
! speech at intervals,-HUGH LAWSON
WHITE, counselliDg the people in the
sublime strains of lofty patriotism
FELIX GRUNDY, arousing them TO &C,
ton by his impassiOned eloquence
JOHN BELL, pouring forth the mighty
flood of eloquence and craftsmanship
carrying conviction to the hearts of his
hearers and linking his name witt
Immortality such efforts as these
those rivaling the orations of the
worlds best orators, does not convey
to the masses the sort of Information
they need. 1t twas good in its day ant
time and for its purpose and the Occa'
sion that called it forth. y fine book
treating upon a single subject, is gen
orally beyond the reach of the compre'
hansion of the uneducated masses. Ii
the first place it is necessary to lay the
foundation of knowledge. This cal
only be done 10y a system of instruction
that involves time, and its equivalent
money. Both are essential TO success
To come to tie point at once, We mus
establish q system Of school instruction
that shall embrace all classes and al
conditions Of life. 1t should, 70 10
thoroughly effective, lie co-extensiy
with population, and within the reacl
Of the humblest boy in the rude cabin q
the pioneer or the lowly hut wher
poverty duallS Not so much to dis
pose Of the reproach 10 the reputation
Of our State, as to redeem the min
from a condition of ignorance, d. W
urge this subject. Crime springs from
ignorance as its natural and Ineyitabl
result. Our courts tell the story. Ou
jails and prisons plead eloquent
for reformation. Not criminal goe
to prison who is not reproach to on
boasted free institutions. Not chill
, pads through the streets in rags an
ignorance that does not, with its sol
rowful eyes, break through all our an
hitions and aspirations, and condem
Us.
We trust our people will agitate tn
F.. subject until our legislators VIII |
=, forced to discharge their duty in pr
viding for thefuture educational wan
Of the public, and relieve our State
4 the odium and reproach under whiC
it has so long rested.