The Shasta courier., 1871-08-26
THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION.

/ lies the SaIety OF hepuohcih iust''o'iouo'
To come up to the standard which should
be required of those who, by the exercise
of the ballot, shape the destinies Of our
country both in national and local sense,
it is necessary to possess not only the ele-
ments of education as taught in our admi-
rable Free School system, but also TO be
versed in the history of our country and
the working of our Governmental machin-
cry. This is not all The exp rience of
older States has shown to US that universal
education is the greatest preventative OF
crime. that the school house and the church
go hand in band in inculeating sentiments
which build up reverence for intelligence
and virtue, aud lead to the most happy re-
cults. The satisfies OF crime as presented
by the various official reports from time
to time show, that it is in Ignorance where
crime finds its chief nursery, and in educa-
tion law its strongest ally.
The Republican party Of this State have
recognized these facts, and incorporated in
their State platform resolution in favor of
compulsory Education. In that fac
tious spirit Of opposition which leads them
to condemn anything which comes from
Republican sources. Democratic speakers
and papers unite in misrepresenting the
intention ofthis resolution. Knowing the
tactics of the enemy with whom we have to
deal, this was to be expected. though we
certainly did not anticipate they would 20
to the extent Of asserting that parents
would be deprived Of the privilege of select
ing the school to which their children
should be sent. Such was the construction
placed on our position BY Pearce.. Demo-
cratic candidate for Congress) in his speech
at tits place, al We see that Democratic
journals either ignore the school question
altogether, or place upon it similar con-
struction. A single glance at the resolu-
tion in question, shows that nothing Of the
kind would be thought Of But the great
secret of Democratic hostility to this prin-
ciple lies in the fact that, by the terms of
the resolution, opposition to a division of
the school moneys in favor of sectarian
schools is set forth. The grand secret of
Democratic power in the great State aud
city Of New York can be accounted for in
this wise. Catering to the religious pref
udices Of the dominant class, large sums of
public money and gifts of valuable city
property have been made in the interest of
sectarian schools, and in return the support
of those of the religious faith to whom
these gifts have been made was secured to
that party That il is intended to secure
the same results in this State by pursuing
a similar course there cannot be shadow
of doubt. The opening wedge of the
scheme was entered at the last session of
the lie, .islature, passing bill to transfer
$4,000, from the San Francisco treasury
to the schools OF the Presentation Convent
of that city. Here is where the chivalry
Democracy of California are aping the Tam
many Democrats of New York. The Repub
lican party stand squarey opposed to any
change in our school system which is not a
progressive one, the Democratic leaders arc
ready to sacrifice anything if it will secure
t. them fresh lease Of power.
To be effective education must be unver-
sal, and here again. is where the two parties
clash. We believe its blessings should be
extended to the humblest in the land with
the Democrats rr judice canquers and would
deny education to the lower classes unless
it could be given under certain restrictions
which have their foundation in prejudice
alone. Believing that if person performed
the duties of u Cit zen he was entitled to its
! rights. that if he paid taxes into the school
! fund be was entitled to have his children
educated at the public expense. the Repub
lican Legislature of 1865 passed school law
which, while it was liberal in its provisions,
left the decision upon all QUESTIONS of local
import in the hands Of the people of each
school district. Children of descent other
than white were admitted to schools for
white children unless objection was made by
a majority of the parents. Further, the
Trustees Of any school could by a majority
vote, admit to their school half-brepds OF
Indian children living under the guardian.
ship of white persons. The matter of educa
ton of children other than white was thus
| left where it should be left-to the people OF
each school district. This was admitted tt
be at once Just and liberal provision, The
! people of each school district were made the
sole judges as to what children should OIL
should not be admitted into the schools. :
| Could any phase of ''local self gpvernmen
he fairer?' But the bgoted prejudice of {
Democratic Legislature could not permit thi.
provision to stand, At the last session o
the Legislature these liberal provisions were
swept away. and children Of otner thar
while descent can he educated in separate
| schools. only. And. as Parson Fitzgerald
has decided in accordance with the old slave
| breeders doctrine, that the condition o.
the child follows the mother" children o.
| part Indian blood must henceforth be ex
cluded from the schools. parents or Trustee.
having no option whatever. This is one o
the first fruits of Democratic preiudices
We hnld to these opinions firm,v-that if i
dian blood into families who already have
children of their own, to allow the children
to play together, to eat together and to assoc
late together. it can certainly be none to al
low them to he educated together. 1t ia the
aim of education 20 elevate-not to depress
Let this fact be borne IN mind by those
most interested. and let them cast their ballot,
accordingly Messrs McMurry and Andrew.
were members of the Legislature which
repealed the liberal provisions of the schoo
law we have quo'ed They are not likely
to stultify themselves by voting for theil
re-enactment.
NEW GooDs.-Judge Bush has receiv
ed an addition to his stock, of several ar
ticles new to his market, and as a good
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