Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-01-14

tain is the adoption of a school system
for free public schools, so that the poor
and rich alike can share equal bene-
fits. In country like ours, where
the power to govern is derived from
the consent of the governed, it be-
comes a matter of vital Importance
and necessity, if we are to protect and
make permanent our republican lnsti-
buttons, that the people shall be edu-
Gated; not only this, but history re-
cords the fact that the power and glo-
ry of nations and peoples keep pace
only with their enlightenment and
intelligence. The kingdom of Prussia
inaugurated her grand march of pro-
gress with the education or her people
by compulsory laws. The battles of
5adowa and Sedan were grand tri-
umphs of mind over matter, of knowl-
edge over ignorance. The soldiers
that fill the ranks of her armies, by
the fostering care Of the government,
are educated, and when they carry the
banner of their country from one tri-
umphant battle field to another, they
do SO with lofty intelligence and pat
riotism. Prussia through the learned
capacity of her people, has been en-
abled to reconstruct the map of Eu-
rope, and within the past five years
has dictated terms of peace to one of
the leading powers, and holds another
at this time within her iron grasp, and
has aggrandized her power and glory
by uniting the Fatherland" under
one flag and nationality.
. The little republic of Switzerland has
adopted system of compulsory educa-
ton, and it is estimated at this time
there is scarcely child of sufficient
age that has not made some advance
ment in education, and the result is
that people who IN former times,
practised mercenary warfare for a
livelihood, under the benign influence
Of education, has become among the
most orderly, industrious and intelli-
gent of Europe, and take front rank in
all the enterprises of life.
am of the opinion that our gov
should adopt azsystem of free
schools for the whole people, and that
rs soon as 1t were put in operation,
should by law compel the attendance
If every child Of sound mind and
proper age throughout the length and
breadth Of the Republic. There are
out two ways of maintaining a gov
.rnment, one by standing armies and
military power, the other through the
and patriotism of the peo-
)le.
Our government is founded upon
he latter theory, and to make the sys-
EN- complete and insure the perpetui-
y of our institutions, 1t is far more i'm
,ortant that every man shall be arm
d with an Intelligent ballot than
With the most improved and destruc-
i've weapon. This system once adop-
ed, we would be soon enabled to make
he proud boast that no nation on the
,lobe is III advance Of ours in point of
ducation. | believe it to be the duty
# the government to give helping
land to the infant Territories that are
destined soon to become States of the
Union, and especially do [ believe the
Territories acquired from Mexico
hould receive marked consideration
n this direction. The people of these
Territories have suddenly been trans
erred from another government to
ur own. Speaking a foreign tongue,
We call upon them to adopt our Gus
oms and obey our laws. They are
well-disposed, law-a9lling
itizens and have but little means;
hey have and will continue to have
n important influence in the govern
no power of the country, and it is es-
entail that they shonld be educated
n the language of the laws that gov
IN them. This question has already
,een agitated in Congress, and many ;
f our statesmen take a liberal view
f it. 1t is to be hoped that Congress ;
viii, at an early period, adopt such ,
measures as will at least insure educa-
ion in the Territories but until that
ime arrives, I consider it Imperative ,
y necessary that we shall do some !
hing for ourselves. I
The present school law has been
ound inadequate to accomplish the l
esired object; in fact it has been
Wholly imperative. To obtain the 1
neans to put free school system in {
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