Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-01
nIanrn GENERAL EpucAuoN A NECESSITY

dustra classes 10 the several pursuits and proics
aions in lIfe NJ established under ON act Of Con
grcss, approved July 2, lso2.
HIGHER GENERAL EDUCATION A NECESSITY.
A great change has taken place, certain
ly in America in the absolute emancipa- |
tion Of labor from all legal restraiuts-all /
save the dolciul cight-hour straightjacket
and there is more freedom in the choice OF
those studies which master and control the
highways Of life. Instead Of being the
distinction Of few, education is becoming |
the right of all, and the distinction Of the /
many We live not only in new world,
but in a new era Learning steadily ad- |
vances, and old errors are trampled under |
foot without murmur and without fear Of
a papal bull. The State, as well as the in
diyidual has its ambition, and takes an IN,
terest in multiplying and holding educated
men. They are its executive, legislative, |
and judicial supports. They figure in the
loftiest pages Of history. They turn to use
and enjoyment every idle and leisure scrap
of time. They adorn the press, the bar,
and the pulpit. They settle national differ
ences by other modes than war or if war
they must, the power Of an army OF edu'
Gated men, guided by educated men, Is sure
to transcend by far that Of any equal num-
Der of uneducated.
The education Of the plodding, stout
willed German people has been compulsory,
while that Of the ninoe light-hearted
French nation has been neglected and their
recent bloody and decisive conflict shows
that victory would not be wooed nor won
I by illiterate soldiers. Wherever pittcd III
the combat the schooled men conquered.
The treachcry to be lamented by French
men was not so much that Of the Empire
at Sedan as that Of the empire Of iguor-
ance among the people.
In our own country unquestionably, the
northern common-school was an uncompu-
ted force in the late war which the South
could not equally match Equal in cour-
age, there was an evident disparity as to
the recuperatiye power Of the personal re-
sources in reserve, Ia one army there
were only soldiers; in the other, soldiers
aud always something more. The former
were only strong while they won the latter
strongest when they lost aud had rehtted.
Though led with skill, the rebel armies did
not stop to think. while the bavonets they
met were the representatives OF the deep
est thought and the utmost force Of uuiyer-
sal education and always Of a book IN the
Snapsack. Peace has returned to the na-
tion and now that education will leaven
the whole lump. The best husbandry goes
North for its seed corn. and the South.
alive with rood planters. will plant the seed
most likely to promote its greatest prosper
ity and happiness. Schools must and will
ere long have place and equal fame in all
parts Of common country.
The domination of the aristocracies OF
Europe for so long a period in Feudal Ages
may be ascribed to their martial and ply
steal training, aud in later times the domln'
alton Of legislative bodies representing nc
: constituents may be ascribed to the excep.
tional and superior educational advantage:
of the governing class, not less than to the
dense ignorance Of the masses governed
The ascendancy Of the statesmen Of Nlr
ginia---" the mother Of States aud of Pres
3 ideuts for so many years in our owl
land may in some degree be honorably cred
/, , tied to the love Of learning Of their leading
g men, aud to the spirit which founded the
! University Of Virginia, Of which Jefferson
was so proud to be known as the father
Though Washington aud Monroe cou.C
hardly be classed as eminent scholars ou
first generation Of leading statesmen wer'
undeniably largely composed OF men o
liberal culture, as well as Of liberal princl
B piles. OF these Princeton furnished bril-
1 liant host though they were not all son
Of New jersey. The place OF Massachu
setts in American history might have beel
less conspicuous but for the early promi
nence Of Harvard College.
: Even the civil service, with all of GU
solicitude, can only be permanently eleyat
: ed by universal and thorough education
/, as universal as eligibility to oih'e, aud a
Z thorough as the seeking after it. Men s.
Z, educated are too well trained to be awk
,' ward with affairs; they have too muc
y pride to sacrifice honor to interest, and re
Is spect Christianity too sincerely to see
reputation on any other basis than doin
- right Learned Judges are incorruptiblt
or, if Bacon be cited as an exception,
must be noted that no judicial decision q
3. that distinguished man has ever been re
versed, Notwithstanding Pope's terrible eE
igram which immortalizes the wises
It brightest, meanest of mankind" Educa
:. ton guides men by principle, by Justice, b
II facts aud logic, not by solemn cant, jol
y 6etious and baseless preiudices. 1t has n
= fellowship with trickery or fraud, and ney
er resorts to " breech.loading ballot boxes,
nor to british violence. 1t is only truisl
to assert that education is essential to ou
form OF government Inc Dest eoNernlhel
Dc must have the best men as citizens. a n
nuhlic con,d not stand cvcle of the moo
- among Uottentots. and often reels totter
and f,lls even AMONG races claiming IN !
- enI;ohtoned Democracy mnst ar whe
K onlg nnhoId hv ;gnoronco and vica an
oon @ oatv smcoocd Lg General difTnsion
both InowIodco and virfue In other lane
and rndor o,bor rorms of oovernmont cd,
DO cation nav be ontional With MS il ia !,
disnensabie. Untauoht and unprinciple
men NAV be governed. but thew cannot 90,
on ern thew cannot be trusted The i9te
loctual and moral nrogress of man il II
i'' ,root force which crinnles and hind. ans
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