Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-03-29
LETTER FROM MONTGOMERY TWP.
SCHOOLS BOOKS.

SCHOOLS BOOKS.
1t will MT be regarded as an unjust reflection,
IL we say that the books,in our schools are rr
far below the standard of perfection. We need
new and better books. A republic is based on
liberty, equality and unity. theory which
statesmen glorify and which the people fiaud,
nevertheless theory which has never been fair
" reduced to practice. Men love to bs free.
But as to equality, that is another question, and
as to unity, why that depends altogether on cir
cumstances. Here in the United States the tide
of liberty ebbs and flows and when we try the
experiment of equality and unity we hnd by
happy ifnot by bloody experience, that our
beautiful republic is like the troubled sea whose
unrestful waters cast up mire and dirt. Do you
then mean to say that a republic is chimara I?
By no means. What then is the matter d? Why
simply this Our republic has within its capac
ious head too many huge ideas. The Yankee
has at least one, the Dutclman, the Irishman
and thev say even the frigaer' thinks sometimes.
We import IDEAS from all quarters Of the globe.
Everybody who comes here has at least the frac-
tion of an idea. Such a multiplicity and con-
tr lriety of ideas is too much for one mans head
As natural consequence, Uncle Sans mind is
once in While troubled and that worthy young
gentleman is occasionally puzzled to know what
to do. What we specially need at this juncture
is one 'maSerly idea to settle Uncle Sans mind
and bring order out Of confusion. But where shall
wo 20 for such an idea To the churches ? l
have great respect for the churches. But would
that do? II the question were put, What will
save the republic would not the answer come
in shouts from one sect -Methodism? Would
not tie Presbyterians say "order, gentlemen, we
have the true form of republic" And by the
time each sect had given an answer, would not
confusion be worse confoundei ? Shall we go
to statesmen? VIM. II. Seward once said, 1--WE
must appeal to higher law" That We must
cnfess was mastery idea. But where do we
get the higher law? In what book is it written.
0ne says in the Koran. another in ma ure, and
others in the Bible. Who is competent to decide
this question? Answer-T The people Of these
United States. They can choose to be governed
oy higher or lower laws. They are competent
TO decide whether this shall be a Christian or
Pagan or Mohammedan nation, whether the
BILE or the Koran shall be taught in our State
schools. The stability of our institutions depends
upon the nature ofLhose laws by which we ara
governed. If the rights Of the people are firmly
secured. there will be harmony. The American
people do well to ask the question what book
teaches the purest elements Of liberty equality
and unity? If it shall be found that the Bible
W hen stript of all partisan and sectarian inlu-
elces is the best book for republican nation,
let the State provide by law for its Introduction
and use in every district school, The pillars of
n republic protecting the people ought to rench
As high as heaveu-her laws should be the
peal. No man or set of men should be allowed
to undermine the foundation of that national
structure which furnishes home for the high
and the low the nch aud the posr, where each
mty sit under his own wine and fig tree
wi hout any to molest or make him afraid.