Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-21
The Frse seheeI auestion.

| Education, all over the ciEllfZcu Woltu-
| is exciting absorbing interest. The recent
| great European war demonstrated the SUI
periOriiv Of educated over ignorant ldiery,
and now Kings and Emperors lead the van
in providing means for the education Of
the masses. The idea Of universal sduea-
ton has fXed itself in the minds Of men
and can not be eradicatcd. The nation Of
the future will be the nation that thor
oughly comprehends this fact, and the M Z
Of the future will be those who lead in it,
accomplishment. Ignorance, misery, reyo-
luton and anarchy are inseparable, and
the nstion that would avoid the fate Of
France, Italy, Spain and Mexico, must
educate her masses. such are the lessons
Of history, and il Is the dictate Of wisdom
to profit by them.
One fact is quite clear to as. that there is
a growing sentiment in the United States
20 establish public schools throughout the
country either by State or national legisls-
ton. If the Southern States persist in not
establishing 4 competent system OF CON-
mon schools, it is our judgment that the
general government will. This would be
another step in the direction Of cOnsolids-
ton, and should not be taken. But II the
States neglect 10 act with wisdom the gem
eral government will take the step and the
masses '7iH 5ustGiH the party that leads
So the matter. This suggestion il worthy
OF calm consideration, especially when we
reflect that the Radical party is even now
casting about for popull a. party measure,
Il . u. a
has already been suggested by some Of its
leaders,
Again, by careful Investigation il will be
found that the superior wealth, population
and power Of the Northern over the South
ern States is mainly attributable 70 their
system Of common schools. In the North,
especially the New England states, COM
mon school education Is within the reach
Of every child. In the South il is beyond
the means Of many, if not = majority
Hence, in the science Of mechanics, in
skilled labor, invent ons and public i'm
prOVements, the South Is far behind her
Northern Sisters. These clements consti-
tuts the wealth Of a nation; wealth gives
power, and education is the foundation Of
the whole structure.
Nature has blessed the South with every
means OF wealth, population and power
In climate and soil, in variety and value Of
products, IN water power md nAvisable
rivers, in timber and minerals the South Is
superior to the North, and vet in popula-
ton, wealth and power the North FAR ex-
GELS. Why! The answer is simple. The
free school system which there obtains,
while It improves the skill Of labor, at the
same time invites population and these
create wealth by inventions, manufacture
ing and trade, and wealth constitutes
power.
No State IN the Union is more richly
blessed in soil, climate, products, water
power and minerals, than Tennessee, and
all that is necessary to make her the Queen
of the States, is population and the devsl-
opment of her resources. To bring that
population and to secure that development
a competent common school system must
first be established. The better class Of
emigrants-thosew who are building up and
eRriching the great West-wilI not come
here while it costs as much to educate as It
does to support their children; and the
West, new as it Is, offers superior educs-
tional advantages. Emigrants with fami-
lies, among the first questions they ask Of =
country is its educational facilities, and
however skilled the head Of the family may
be be knows that he can not support and
educate his children out OF his wages, and
hence will not emigrate to States where
cheap schools do not exist. We want skill
ed laborers, emigrantS with families, be-
cause they become permanent and valuable
build houses, pay taxes, purchase
their supplies in our midst, and aid with
brain and muscle in the development Of all
the interests of the State. But they will
not come to Tennessee so long as she is
without E competent system Of free schools,
a fact fully illustrated by the immense emil
grafton to the Western States and the limit
ed emigration to the South.
This subject demands the most intelligent
of our incoming Legislature,
and we hope it will act promptly and
wisely.
Every argument above employed applies |
either directly or indirectly to this COM
and should the State fail 70 estab- |
lish a competent school system. one equal /
to the demands OF the whole Stat, this city |
should act in her own corporate capacity az /
once. More anon.