The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-13
evening 5State 5ournal.
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DiREo-
TION,

The inadequacy of the voluntary sys.
tenn has been fully proved by the expert.
ence of all countries where popular edu-
cation has attained high development.
There are thousands of parents who, from
carelessness or avarice, keep their children
out of school and rear them in ignorance.
Starved and crippled in soul, they lack the
mental and moral development essential
to become safe or useful citizens From
this class of children come the great mass
of our paupers and criminals, the trucu-
lent multitudes that make our mobs, and
the Ignorant dupes that demagogues and
tyrants use to throttle liberty or overturn
the State. To bring up a child thus in
ignorance is double crime:
1st. Against the child, who is robbed of
his birthright in the world of knowledge.
End. Against the State, which is de-
prived ofa capable citizen, and whose bur-
dens are increased and peace endangered
by the crime and pauperism of the igno-
rant.
lis crime, too, of no ordinary magni-
tude, in that its consequences involve all
other wrongs and crimes. The helpless
child suffers first, then society, and the
consequences are felt for generations.
Against such wrong the law must pro-
vide protection. Its remedies were never
invoked in a holier cause. We don't al
low brutal parent to sta,cs chld,-we
must not allow an ignorant or reckless pa
rent to bring up child in ignorance.
Germany has taken the lead in this good |
work; other nations and States are follow
ing.
The true principle is, TO provide ample
free schools, then compel the attendance
of all the children at some school. Only
n this manner can we secure general edu-
'ation. We quote from the Pittsburg
the following notice of aston
n the Pennsylvania Legislature, and COM
mend the example to our own people:
In the matter Of compulsory education,
'ennsylvania appears inclined to follow the
xample of several other States, bill having
cen introduced by Mr.. Smith, of the House Of
representatives, providing that every child
etween and Id years of age shall attend
chool for six months in each year, the police
,rce to assist in the preliminary enumeration.
be only objection to the bill, it SENS to us, is
,e "six months" clause. Boys and girls of an [
ge so tender cannot be supposed capable of :
much by labor to their own sup
ort; and the presumption is that, during the
x months vacation allowed by the law, they
i'll unlearn a considerable proportion Of what
icy may have acquired during the half years r
tendance, to say nothing of the bad habits q
hich may be picked up during SO long
,riod of legalized truancy and vagabondage. Q
the right and of the real humanity of com il
'lling children to attend school, we have not. o
r long time, had any doubt. 1t would be 8
eassnter if legal provision, enforced by a a
palty, in such behalf, were unnecessary; but y
y measure which rescues children from the q
moralizing effects of parental carelessness or ri
picity, and which does gll that can be done 81
save society from the deplorabe effects of
ult ignorance and stolidity, is quite within
limits of wise and far-seeipg legislation. =,
good education does not keep men invariably v
I'm crime; but no education at all is pretty
ely to leave them at the mercy of circum- .,
nces which they are not intelligent enough ~
grapple with and control. II