Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-15
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

moves, progresses and is advancing
toward higher plain of civilization,
that the question Of compulsory ed
ucation is meeting with general
favor. The system is opposed by
only two classes; first, it is opposed
by the Jesuit class. Universal edu-
cation and enlightenment, weakens
their power over the masses, and in
the same ratio that the masses are
educated, their power diminishes,
unless they can have the control Of
that education, in which case, the
young mind is stamped so indelibly
with the doctrines of infallable pa
paco, that the instruction in the
branches of learning they afterwards
receive, almost invariably fails to
remove the peculiar religious i'm
pressions burnt into the young
mind; and more, when they have the
education of the young, their sys-
tenn of education is impregnated
with the tenets::of the Romish faith.
This class conted for q division Of
the public school money, that with
the funds OF the State, with money
taken from the pockets of those who
detest their doctrines, they may
proselyte among the young and
hedge about their crumbling edifce,
propping up their waning power by
raids upon the children of the ma
ton, either by keeping them in ig-
norance, or educating them in the
Jesuit school and faith.
There is another class arrayed
against the compulsory education
plan. 1t is the old fossil political
hacks, who rule in politics as the
Jesuits do in religious matters,
through the ignorance of the masses.
Educated enlightened men are too
independent for the old Falstaffian
politician. The passions of the
ignorant slums of society is his
"harp of thousand strings" which
he fingers to his own advantage and
advancement. Educate the masses
and his occupation is gone. He can
no longer control his herd of voters,
marching them to the polls to vote
for his interest, or the interests of
his party, without thought for the
best interests of the country.
There is no argument advanced
against the much needed measure,
but on the contrary every reason
able argument is in the affirmative
OF the measure. It will remove
from our streets a large class of idle,
vicious boys, who are training and
being trained in all kinds of crime,
and If suffered to continue, will fll
our jails and prisons, lumber our
courts, prey upon peaceful citizens,
swell riots and light the incendiary's
torch. 1t is proposed to take them
from this life of vice, shame and
ignorance, and place them in school
and compel them, not only to quit
the evil ways they are pursuing, but
to receive an education, that shall
fit them for the responsible duties
Of citizens. The State had far bet
ter clothe, educate and board the
thousands of children who are now
growing up in ignorance and vice,
than to build jails and prisons and
employ keepers to take care of them
when grown up.
Again, universal education is the
only thing that will save this repub-
lie. A nation with universal suf-
frage can only exist by as universal
an education. Universal suffrage
will swamp this nation unless it is
counter-balanced by universal edu-
cation. The theory may be very
fine; but when the voting masses
are ignorant it is destructive in the
extreme. We have only to point
to the city of New York as an ex-
emplifcation of the effects of ignor-
ance and suffrage in control.
Our salvation is in education and
enlightenment; and by all means
let US have the compulsory law.
Masonic Mirror.
A compulsory school law by which
children between the ages of six
and fourteen are comnellad IN a4ko,,d