Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-09
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.

Mr.. Ioar of Massachusetts,, made strong
and earnest plea in the House, on the 18th, in
favor Of universal education. He was speak
ing upon the bill to establish an educational
fund and to apply the proceeds of the public
lands to the education of the people. His
remarks are worthy of profound considera-
ton;
Education secures to State the possession
of all those forces upon which it must depend
for the projection of its rights against any
other power.
Education means wealth, and equality in
distribution. This is one great means of de-
fence against any encroachInents from above.
Education, the simple capacity to read and
write, adds twenty-five per cent. to the wages
of the working classes of u State, and of
course tends much to the creation and dis
tribution of its wealth.
Education increases the number of patents,
index of the mechanical power and ingenuity
of State, which, in our history, we know as
one of the chief sources both Of its wealth and
of its capacity for self-defence. In Califor-
MIA, where the number of persons who can
not read and write is only four to the hun
dred, the number of patents taken out during
the last year was one to every 9, 400 persons.
In Connecticut, where the number who can
not read and write is the same, the number Of
patents during the last year has been one to
every 9G6 persons; while in Arkansas, where
the number of persons who cannot read and
write is sixteen to one hundred, the number
of patents taken out is one to every 81 ,267 of
the inhabitants. In Florida, where the num-
Der of persons who cannot read and write is
twenty-three to one hundred, the number of
patents taken out during the year was one to
every 1921 persons; and the same general
principle holds good through the whole Unit
cd States.
SO that education protects State rights,
first, by increasing wealth, which is power ;
secondly, by distributing wealth, which is
general power; thirdly, by adding twenty five
per cent. to the earnings of the laboring class
es, which is power and wealth to them; and
fourthly, by increasing the ingenuity and me-
chanical power of the State, which is wealth
and strength.
Education also stimulates the wants of the
educated people, and develops and increases
the activity which supplies them, in that way,
also bringing wealth in its train.
Education promotes in the State under
standing Of the lawslof trade and of political
economy, and so it promotes the under
standing of the laws by which the State best
asserts its rights. In word, education is
general brain power, with which, in the con-
test OF politlcai forces, universally in the end
the victory rests.
Education is also military power. The
best educated nations, by the common expe-
rience of mankind, are the strongest in war
Education is power of diplomacy, render
ing the State strongest in defending itself by
the arts of peace.
Education is influence over men, which. in
the political contests in this country deter
mines the political power. a.a,.t
On the other hand, ignorance creates weak
ness, creates dependence, substitutes blind
and jealous hatred for selt-respect and indie.
pendence.