Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-12-26


perience to fall back when dangers
threaten. But the French have had
no experience in self-government,
and when dangers appear they rush
forward to revolution and blood
They demand all or nothing, and
hitherto the latter has been their
prize-leaving them nothing but un-
broken hope. They forget that re-
publicanism owes its share of conces-
sions, and must support certain con-
servative powers for the security of
itself.
American books are again recon-
mended for teaching GOODNESS and for
bearance, patience and endurance,
and how to be practical in all things.
The Americans consider interogative-
ly, Will it pay ? while the French fly
to the verge Of danger-then bolt in.
Men tons the Southern people as be
ing mercurial like the French. And
when, by their rashness, they pre-
cipitated the North into a most need
less war, and lost their favorite instis
tuition as most fortunate result ev-
en- for themselves, they but won n
valuable experience
The able essayist next considers
the condition of the French people in
respect to religion and education
He would not attack, much less ex-
pose, the clergy and church, being
himself a Catholic; and feels out of
place in advising the clergy. But he
insists upon certain changes or re-
forms polite in view of meeting
what is inevitable, government SO
ordered as to arouse thought and en-
ergy, and lead the people to oriticise
and investigate sacred as we'll as
profane things. Religion is to be
submitted to tests the severest, the
clergy and religious institutions are
to be uncovered and criticised, the
faith and traditions to be traced to
their fountain, all barred and probed
and remedies forced in wherever dis
order appears. OF all critics, public
opinion, when aroused, is the most
searching and relentless, and France
is to be ruled by public opinion, in
Church as we'll as State. And repub-
lies scarcely allow the clergy hear.
ing, certainly not unless they appear
with blameless character as the rep
resentatives of a balmeless church.
1t was the great misfortune to
France and immediate cause of bis
disastrous failures in the late war
that the Emperor Napoleon neglect.
ed to provide for popular education
And it is not 20 his honor that he
charged such neglect to the clergy,
who, he says, opposed the education
of the masses. 1t is we'll known that
Napoleon supported ultramontane
principles as the more likely TO in
sure safety to his empire. 1t is there
fore unlikely that he befriended pop
ular education. And, as in all mon
arches, the clergy had to cater to
the chief Of State, they so acquiesced
in Napoleon's policies, including that
of Withholding State Suffrage for pop
ular education. Too late he experir
enced the consequences of such mis-
anthropy. The German soldiery bad
been educated, and the war proved
by so much their superiority and the
utter failure of uneducated soldiers 10
the use of modern war implements
And the lesson cannot fail to lead
every government: in Europe to edu.
cate those designed for soldiers and
thus make the public school the field
for best military training, the school
master the best drill master, and the
intellect not the man machine the
better military power.
But the males cannot be educated
for practical usefulness in any field
without equal provisions for the fee
males and this fact must lead to
the free school and education Of the
entire mat SEES. And such is again
the American sy stem, in which coun-
try their late civil war demonstrated
that the men, having no preliminary
drill but that Of the public school,
were soldiers equal to any in the
world and the women of which
country, by their kindling inspira-
ton, more than repaid the govern
ment for the expense Of their school
ing.
The religious constitution OF
France is again presented, but now
in political and economic aspect.
Millions Of the people are avowed
skeptics, and other millions so indif-
ferent to religion as never to bond a
knee to the Host. Among the skeptic-
al are the more intelligent Of the mid
die classes which are TO vitalize and
rule the republic; and great numbers
Of the learned, if believers at all, re
of all beliefs and no beliefs. The
new Government therefore cannot
fail to tolerate all faiths and those as
well who disbelieve in any religion.
The popular literature of France is
mostly irreverent, and the least popu-
lar is that which supports the church.
Much Of it indeed is iufidel either
openly or disgusedIy. The lyceums
and generally the best schools and
colleges discard the church, and the
presumption is that the patrons,
parents and students, so prefer that
knowledge be secularized or free from
religion.
Such are the evidences that the
people have drifted away from the
church as well as state. Indeed.
they are turning away from all insti
tutions of the past, and clasping the
present, in most ultra reform or
radical sense. And it appears the
worst folly to attempt or even con-
template the arrest of any one or the
many revolutions o the day. Excess
sive draughts may sober the people,
but never restore them any ways
near their ancient faith.
The talent, learning and power of
the clergy are next invoked for shap-
ing the several revolutions for O state
OF rest and stability. Such state of
rest and order must reconcile with
the progress of the age, the day of