The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-04-17


The reading matter on this page was pre-
pared and put in type for our last issue, but
was crowded out by advertisements coming
in at a late hour. -
THE STATE AND UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
The question is often asked: Should the
State, provide for the universal education of
all within its borders, or support free schools
at which all may receive fres instruction at
least in the rudiments of education !?
We answer this question unequivocally-
1t is one of the first duties of the State to
provide free instruction for all its children,
and if it fails in this it commits the greatest
blunder in policy. and the greatest crime in
morals. We will adduce few Of the reasons
fer this position, promising that We use the
word State in its broadcast siguffeation.
| The education Of all her people is Of vital
Importance to the State, because
LIST. The people control and, by their votes
or their opinions, decide, either directly or
indirectly, all the great questions Of State
policy.
2nd. It is only The educated man who can
properly discharge those functions which the
State continually. and sometimes indiscrimi-
natcly, requires of the people, such as witness
ses, jurymen, and public officers of all grades.
3rd. Universal education is necessary to
State for self preservation 10 both war and
peace against the encroachments Of other
States and nations.
It might seem that such PLAIN propositions
would need no calculation. The most mo.
mentous questions of State policy, questions
involving war and peace, future prosperity or
adversely, the change or the continuance of a
present form Of government, even the very
existence Of the government and Of the State
ITSELF all these are often placed before the
people of the State for their decision-a de-
cision which is final and withou. appeal. Ex-
amples might be adduced, but that is not ne
cessary. Every one Of middle age has in
mind events which have occurred in his own
experience abundantly sustaining the state
ment. Such questions as these are for Estates
men" but the people must decide. When
the life Of the State hangs on The decision,
and as ia some sections IF our own countrv
| from a third to half Of the people are utter
II llliterate, how terrible the condition Of
that State! Then, indeed, the balance hangs
quivcring between right and wrong. Then
indeed is the question vital one. Then in
deed has the reckless and unprlacipled dem
asogue, who cares nothing for the general
good but everything for bis own temporary
success, a fertile field for his Establishments,
sophistry, and deceit. In this country the
popular majorities seldom, as an average, eS-
coed one sixth Of ali the votes cast but one
sixth Of the inhabitants Of the United States
are Observation-Disclosures No pen can de-
scribe the terrible results which might befall
this country if that ignorant sixth of our
people which do actually hold the balance of
power, should cast II 10 the wrong direction.
The destruction Of our free institutions and
the blotting out of individual liberty in the
whole world might be the result.
| The educated man makes the best witness
IN court-he sees more and appreciates better
the value OF what he sees-he has less pref
dice. The educated man makes the best iu-
| ror for similar reasons, and because his mind
is enlarged to better appreciation Of legal
as well as moral rights and WRONGS. No
matter what the Office citizen is called to
Gil, the better his education the better can he
discharge its duties.
Those who have the best opporttaaities for
observation unite in asserting that Germany
conquered France in the last European war
more by those advantages which she derived
from the superior education of the rank and
file Of her army than by any other single ele-
ment Of superiority which she possessed. -
Here, at least, universal education proved It,
self Of vital Importance to State for from
French lack of it Germany obtained such
+ grasp on the existence of France that she
might have blotted the name of France from
the map Of Europe just as easily as she appro-
priated two French provinces. And this fact
has been SO universally recognized throughout
Europe that in almost every European State
it has given a most powerful impetus to this
cause of free and general education for all
the people. Ia every other of the mutual
relations which different States sustain toward
each other the effect of superior education is
at once apparent. The best educated man
is the best diplomat or ambassador, and is
best able to frame treaties or cope with 9th
ers. History is continually demonstrating BY
example that 10 this Particular the possession
Faof education amounts to the decision of oues-
tons vital to the best interests as well al the
very life of nations.
The gold hunter searches all the sands Of
lfthe valley in which the shining bits Of the
precious metal are hid; none escape him,
but he passes every one through his pan or
his rocker in his search for the valnabla mar