The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-08-10
a PLEA FOR THE PROPOSED SIX
= , = Mt j o. CONSTITUTIONAL

/ a PLEA FOR THE PROPOSED SIX.
| = > = - . 90 oMsTITUT1oNAI
/ AMENDMENT. 8 " ras1s
! On the 16th of April, 1871, Sena-
tor Stewart submitted joint resolu-
tion ia the United States Senate, pro-
posing On amendment to the Consti-
tuition, to be known as the sixteenth;
as follows:
/ ARTICLE XVI. There shall be main
tanned in each State and Territory, a
system of free common schools, but
neither the United States, nor any
State, Territory, county, or fnunicip-
al corporation shall aid In the sup
port Of any school wherein the pecu-
liar tenets Of any religious denomin-
ntion are taught. -.As3-.-.,s--. !.
SECTION I'd. Congress shall have
power to enforce this article by ap-
propriate legislation.
Public attention has been called
frequently, within the past year to
the great want Of school accom- moda.
tions and to the large number of
children throughoutthe country, who,
failing to attend school, are growing
up in ignorance and are in training
for anything and everything but use.
full citizens. II is admitted almost
universally by our best educated and
sagacious men, that the Importance
Of this question cannot be overesti-
mated and that a necessity exists
for the general Government to take
such action as will tend to q mitiga.
tion of the evils growing out of the
neglect to furnish all children with a
common school education, not only
10 the late slave States, but even in
many Of the Northern States where
the advantages aud necessity of the
education OF the masses are so uni
versally admitted.
1t is proposed on one hand, that
the States should be left, each TO
work out its own problem of general
education, without interference on
the part of the general government,
or aid aside from grants OF public
lands.
On the other hand, it is held that
National School Law should be pass
ed by Congress, providing for the
establishment and maintenance of
common schools throughout every
State and Territory. Ifthe proposed
constitutional amendment Is adopted,
q national school law will follow as q
natural consequence and no objection
that it was unconstitutional could
then be urged. No doubt Congress
might pass such law in the absence
of another constitutional amendment
but it would hardly have that
weighty and controlling influence
and would be subject to repeal when
ever an adverse majority might OBJ
tain power, whereas, should the con-
stitutional amendment be adopted,
the question would be permanently
settled as long as the government
exists.
MORE ACTION NEEDED.
If an examination is carefully
made of the statistics with regard to
education in the different States, the
need of something more being done
for the education Of the children in
the country than has been done, some
more thorough and effectual steps
taken, will be very apparent.
The subject is one Of such vital I'M
portance that it demands the close
attention, and the united and perse-
vering action of every friend OF Re.
publican government, every enlight-
ened patriot, every earnest pbiIan.
thropist in the land.
There should be no relaxation of
effort until this important question is
settled, and settled right, without
peradventure, secured beyond the
possibility of repeal.
THE NEGLECT OF EDUCATIONAL INTER.
Esrs BY THE STATES AND THE RE-
SUITS.
1t is frequently asked what need is
there of national action upon this
question are not the States doing
all that is practically possible for the
education of the children within
their respective borders? Why not
let we'll enough alone? These are
pertinent questions and deserve at
tention. In but few of the States is
there more than the beginning of an
orderly, thorough, comprehensive
school system. The delinquences
and short comings of a large number
Of the State legislatures in this re-
gard can readily be shown by
glance at existing facts. In nine
States, viz: Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, North Carolina, South Carroll
ma, Virginia, there is a population of
seven millions four hundred and fifty
seven thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven, and about fifty per
cent. Of these people are unable to
read. The States Of Kentucky, Fem
nessee and Texas, contain q popula-
tion of thrce millions three hundred
and seventy-slx thousand four hun
dred and eighty. -four, of which about
one-third are unable to read, and in
Delaware, Maryland, and Missouri,
with q population of two millions six
hundred and thirty thousand eight
hundred and twenty-one, twenty-five
per cent. of the people are in the
same deplorable condition of lgno.
rance. Add to these nun bers about
a million Of illiterate persons resid.
ing in the remaining States, and we
find that there are, in the country
between six and seven millions OF
grossly ignorant people, who obtain
no knowledge of the Bible, Of consti
tutions, of laws, of newspapers, o.
literature Of any kind, excepting in
the manner of those who are borr
blind, eyes they have but they SO,
not the printed page. Books are al
sealed to them. They grope through
life in the very darkness. Of blindness
the acknowledged prey of dcma
gogues, perpetual thorn piercin.
to the hearts of our Republican insti
tutions.
n THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN NEG
LEcTED.
4 But what arc States doing for tn
a children of the country? Surel,
they must be educating them prett,
generally, especially, throughout tn
J, North and West? Let us see. Th
number of children OF school az
nevev reoistered and Attending n