Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1873-05-10
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

NV oniy 1n tHS PHPit, Uub on the
lyceum platform, Henry Ward
Beecher is one Of the most effective
and able speakers in this country.
We present the following as the es-
sential points 10 his lecture on Com
palsory Education. Mr.. Bescher
began by saying.
Thought passed in waves. At one
true all Europe was discussing war
problems then politics; again theology
Very many of those matters which
once commanded the most thorough
research and study were now considered
of no account whatever Now a more
important and practical question was
attracting universal attention-educa-
tion occupies the mind Of the civilized
world-common, rudlmental instruction
of the ma sses, and not the peculiar
privileges of the more favor ed classes
and for this he pleaded. In Great
Britain the church question had become
subordinate to that of education, and now
the query of most Importance gas, Who
shall instruct the children-shaii the
priest or the people Plainly it was the
duty of the citizens and of government.
the priesthood had done good service,
but their day had gone, and ada.atioa
had become the duty of the State. In
Great Britain it had come to be consid
sidered the God given right OF the people.
aud German Influence was being felt
all over Europa. The German Empire
owed its solidity to its schools. 1t was
the Intelligence of the Eorth German
soldiery that conquered Austria, and
she was learning wisdom from her con-
quror. In Italy and Switzerland edu>
cation has been made compulsory, while
France lags behind-is the bottom
Sta,e-because her masses arc ignorant
and may never hope to cope with her
ncighbors while such is the case.
Governments have long beer
trying to learn how best &c
to ride the people, and it is proven
that the best saddle is intelligence
that knowledge implies good citizenship
Education is military force, and ou,
civil conflict was really the Northern
school against the Southern plantation
The most intelligent people produce ths
greatest wealth per capita Our country
among the leading nations, and Connect
cut among the States. The patent record,
showed one invention to every S31
people in that State. while 10 Arkansas
n ouly one in 81 900 knew enough ,e
invent anything. Prices are regulated
by the amount of brains required in pro
ductioD, and combinations can no more
produce uniformity than they can mak'
men look alike. The man who has tn,
most brains will receive the best pay
and stand highest in the estimation o
his fellow men The time is comm,
v when our country will have q popula
tion of 100000 900. How shall they
be made safe and orderlyy Ever,
known country was paying tribute /
America, and sending it's population
here, with all their diverse religions
customs and ideas. Such combina
tion can never be made harmoniou
. except by national education. I
religion meant love to God and love I
man, 1t would be a controlling powe
But while IN few hearts it meun
. this, at all other points ii bristles wit
warfare. Religion should mean hal
E mony intelligence does.
Education should include politics
= principles, morality, social duty, ]
should be made compulsory. Ever
State should provide for the educatio
l. of its whole people. Such provision
II have been made, such principles settles
e. but as the farmer sometimes plow u
m- the old sod and SOW again, SO 1t bene6
us TO deal with moral growth, and 1t
time now 10 discuss this great matt
once more. The influence OF foreiG
elements in our population demands
" lively interest In the whole matte
The State must educate its people, an
n not the church. The State has rig