Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-11-30
For the REPUBLIcAS.l
The Evils Of the Times.
Education of the Better Class
BY EDWARD D. CLAIMING.

EQucatlOn Is Gne cnle1 clNlllzer.
To it the age owes its enlighten-
ment, and we our superiority to bar
barians, and the men of former
times. 1t is the embodied spirit of
progress, whether 1t comes to us in
bound volumes, in oral instruction
and traditions, or in the education
of experience. To the gradually
increasing diffusion of knowledge
is attributable our national prosper
ity. The intelligence of the citi-
zens is the strongest bulwark OF
American power; and the public
school system in the efficiency of
its regulations, is the surest ground
upon which to build our hopes OF
its future greatness.
But while the means of education
are SO abundant; while there is room
for every child, in our pleasant and
commodious school houses, and Col
lege portals are opened wide, invit-
ing still more to fill up their yearly
depleted ranks, it is strange to note
that standard of education among
the better classes continues SO low
as it actually is. Wealth their seem
ing advantage is the fertile cause of
this evil. Not only is it a great
source of anxiety and care, by its
very presence begetting a spirit Of
avarice and greed, and changing the
milk of human kindness into ma
levolence; but it insensibly produ-
ces a love for a life of ease. 1t
creates an indisposition to labor for
anything whose advantages can be
bought for gold, and lays the found
alton for every vice and crime. For
him whose every desire is quench-
ed at this never failing fountain,
dangers lie thickly strewn upon his
flowery pathway, evils lay slumber-
ering at every step, and happy is he
whose disciplined reason will deliv-
er from them all. Too often the
Incidence of nature triumphs over
the sage dictates of reason, and the
love of pleasure and ease bars every
other object, surmounts all objec-
tions. 1t is in this spirit that too
many young men expect to float
through life, trusting the fame of
their inherited riches, or their faith
ers name, will always continue suf-
ficient for all emergencies.
To business men certain amount
Of education is necessary, and can
didates for the learned professions
go through laborious course of
study involving from four to eight
years, but a class exists, which is
constantly growing, who scoff at all
things practical, are moved by con-
siderations of inclination more than
by those of interest, and appear to
think it away beneath their dignity
to delve into musty books and dus-
ty tones. 4-"t
The children of wealth, not edu-
Gated to self-reliance, and accustom-
ed to satisfy their desires from the
parental Golfers, have often times
but a limited education and knowl-
edge of classical literature; so it
happens that the early possession of
wealth has rarely led to lame. The
lad who honestly labors,a and through
his efforts obtains his education, ap
preciates that knowledge is power,
more than spoon-fed, dainty-raised
young man can. Ambition fires
him to new exertions, and he rises
higher, till finally he sees his affiu
ent contemporary, plodding along at
the foot of the ladder, while he
proudly has gained its summit.
Again, the ladies of the day are
the losers through the kindness and
anxiety of their indulgent mammas.
Music is deemed much more impor-
tant to them than the dry, tedious
studies of the school-room, and en-
ploys fully as much if it does not
engross the whole of their time.
Hour after hour, and day after day,
till years pass by, do they practice
the art Of ivory keys. Their hands
must be kept Immediately pure and
white,and entirely free from the vul-
gar rubescense of dish-water; they
must not be enlarged by toll, or
soiled with labor, else they will not
fiirt lightly, gracefully. from deep
toned bass, to ringing treble, draw
ing the sweets of the purest notes.
Music is very pleasant and agree
able, and in moderation doubtless
effects good results, but it is the
drawing room accomplishment, and
should not be indulged in while duty
calls US elsewhere. We admit that
it holds a power over the human
soul which nothing else possesses;
it stirs the deepest fountains of the
heart, awakening all the better, no.
bier feelings of our natures. 1t
lends its charm to heavenly happi-
ness, where the holy, white-robed
throng will forever unite in one glad
song of alteration and praise to the
great Giver of Life; and it is truly
one of the purest vocatioHs of earth,
that will be permitted in the land of
celestial blessedness. But it is a
sad fact that there are no angels on
earth and it is to be lamented that
the angelic calling is not fitted to
our sphere. And the poor heart
who expects to be waited through
life by gentle zephyrs, while she
awakens melodies from grand pi-
ano, will learn in sadness the mis-
fortune of our lot. Is this art so
important that it should constitute |
the principal education of the future
wives and mothers of our land? Or
are all other matters of proportion
ably less importance in household
management and care? 1t would
seem so to a casual observer of Gus
toms and manners. Men do not
want for wives, pretty painted dolls,
though they may boast an hundred
light accomplishments; they desire
good, healthy educated companions,
with sympathetic natures, who have
hearts to feel, and hands to assist
them in their daily difficulties; such
a woman will surely be the "sun-
light, freight, starlight" of her
husbands heart and home. To OBJ
tain at least a good, sound education
should be the first care of the young;
it is the foundation of all future
success. We should endeavor to
perform our duties impartiallv and
faithfully, but not let any pursuit