Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-04
UNION AND AMERICAN.
EDUCATION.
An Eloquent Appeal for the
Public School System.
Portrayal of the True Type of
Citizenship.


perfntendent OF Public Instruction,
at HartsviIIe, Yesterday.
The State Superintendent of Public In
strueton, Col. Leon TrOusdale, whose
promising term Of Office has just fairly set
in, opened an educational campaign at
Huntsville yesterday. We take great plea
sure in presenting to our readers so power
ful an argument IN a topic Of such vital
interest TO u country:
Fellow-C Citizens: 1t is a sourc of much
qualification to me to have received the first
Invitation in the State to address the people
in behalf of public schools in the county of
TrouSdale, a county which takes its name
from an hOncred and near relative, and a
pat of whose soil was Once1ncluded in old
Sumner, in which repOse the ashes Of my
ancestors county, toe, noted for the Sa-
iubTity Of its climate, the fertility Of its
soil and the patriotism and hospitality Of
its citizens. Such a people l shall be care
full not to offend, even if L fail to enlighten
or instruct. Such a people 1 would not
willingly mislead. On the contrary, it is
uny highest aspiration to see them leading
in the Ashamed movements of our age and
NOulLFNs anu M1hAAlA u AhNAATNAHN9 AAN
in all that tends TO their prosperity and
happiness. Of all these advanced move
ments there is not one which can compare
in ~benefcence Of design and practical value
TO popular education. The theory now
held by our wisest and best men is that
every human being who comes into this
world is entitled to a fair development Of
his GOd-given faculties. l never see
the bright eyes and inquiring features Of a
little child, whether in the humblest
cabin Of the land or protected by the lofty
ro0f-tree of a palace, without ardently
wishing to see its young mind and tender
heart guided and protected by the ~counsels
and teachings which are 10 be received at
the best schools and from the most success
full teachers. And why moi? These young
children by whom we are surrounded to
day are in a few years to take u places in
the race Of life. They are to control the
destinies Of our country. They are to be-
come the voters. Jurors, soldiers and civil
ians Of the future State. They are to be
qualified to become good citizens or bad
citizens. They are to become your farm
ers, mechanics, lawyers, physicians, minis
tiers. editors and merchants. What reason
can sou give why they should not be prop
erly educated to discharge the great duties
appetaining to each Of these occupations?
One man objects hat they are only emil
tied to such a course Of instruction if they
have the ability to buy it; that it is like
every Other commodity or luxury, and
ought only to be commanded by the rich
and well-tO-dO. Of him, / ask, does the
Stale only call on the rich and well-to-do
10 discharge the duties Of citizenship Do
YOU summon your jurieS only from the
ranks Of these classes? Do you recruit
ycur civil officers alone from the rich? Do
vou expect good citizenship and obedience
10 the law to arise from the favored
few who constitute the prosperous classes
of Society? When the lurid cloud OF war
hangs over your country and the tocsln IS
sounded to take up arms and defend your
fields against invasion. are the large tax
navers alone called on 10 take the field and
beat back the foe? No. Sirs. "Nhen the
true patriot, quitting his peaceful avOca-
tiuu in the workshop or in the field, q
quote the language Of one Of Sumner elO-
ouent ons Hon. Baylie PeytOn,) dropping
his pillow handles or his planes, regardless
Of home and its endeaTmeuts, tearing HIM
self from the wife of his bosom and drop
ming of the children even that cling around
his knee, rushed 10 the rescue Of his bleed
ang country did you find in those devoted
ranks no men without money, means, or
property? We're the atfiuent there alone TO
defend the State? And when these dense
clouds Of war had disappeared from the
horizon, how many returned in the deci-
mated ranks CwhO went forth with hearts
full of hope and cOurage) to meet the vel
come smile and JOYOUS embrace Of the little
ones they had left behind them, to be their
guide and protector, to rear and educlte
Them? All, gentlemen. il would be more
a~ppropriate to ask how few thus returned.
You have all seen something Of this
sad picture and participated enough II
these sad scenes to be enabled to realize
the deep responsibility to which the State
Is made TO throw around the orphans Of the
soldier. and around the soldier himself,
whose home has been desOlated, and him
selfimpoverished, the Rgis Of its protection.
Now. gentlemen, l can not see any justice
in demanding Of your citizens to discharge
civil duties and perform military service,
duties and service which require a sacrlhce
Of time. the endurance Of hardship and
privatiOn, the sUndeTing Of sacred natural
relations. and the rendering up Of even life
itself. leaving their wives widows, andLnell
children orphans, and then to cast of these
belpIess widows and orphans upon the colo
charities Of the world, while the State and
the large taxpayers cry out together, 'they
are not entitled TO be educated, because
.bev have not got the money to pay for IT..
And. gentlemen, even if by any forced con
struction of the term, you can call TIM
justice. Won can not say that il is the tru'
method Of raising up an army Of patriots
men and women. For nothing is NOR
certain than that true patriots spring from
the soil that generously nOurishes them
and in the State whose sturdy and pareuta
arms protect and cherish them-the re
and poor alike.
Men will willingly dedicate their live!
u suEh a State as this, and more than that
thew will heroically and glOriOusly die for II
when it is necessary for them TO make th'
sacrifice.
And thus. fellOw-citizens, we some
times witness very great changes IN hu
man fortunes. How often have w
seen. in the wOndrOusly chang
inc periods Of life, the rich OecOmln9
almost beggars, and the good and Snte'
struck down by the a OF poverty! nov
often do wesee their children ah,
CRYING for brcad9 And shall they, the lie
of TODAY, DENY to their n~eighbOrs wha
may. as a retribution upon their uncharita
DLGIte-s bt NCAlCA W AAN-
Or rather should they not SO arrange ID
harmonies Of things and the economy q
life that even, if their riches should TAX
20 themselves wings and fly away thel
children will at least be secure from ina
most CALLING famine, ignorance and vice
How MANY have lost their property by wa
alone. for which the State is responsible
How many by financial revulslons OTougu
on by unwise and impOlitic financial legi'
Iatien? And vet are their children, thu
orphaned so far as wealth is concerned, |
be abandoned TO ignorance, on the YEA
plea II too much taxes?
You are to have taxes for Injuries, take
upon necessities, taxes for war, taxes Il
naace. taxes for coffee, sugar and whisky
You nav these without a murmur; Ou
when asked to tax yourself to teach vol
little children how to make good citizens
when they grow up to manhood n W,
nanbood-how tn win their bread honestI
and skiIIfullv, without resortlng to the Oh
renutable means Of the untaught Of
praved-.here are those who scout II as
burden too CrieyOus to be borne. Cent?
men, do YOU wish 10 know who IS the be
policeman, the best sheriff, the best pea
officer. the best legislator, the best JudS
the best governor, the world ever saw
TbaD / can tell Won in my OUiuiOn, lac