The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-11-26

EDS. JEFF. As it has been several
months since our little village has been
represented in your columns, thought
a few lines from here would not be inap-
propriate, even il we cannot hope 10
convey any new ideas to your readers.
They wi. at least become aware thereby
that we are still in the land of the living
and striving to keep pace with the times,
even ut the expense OF ancient pre5iiec-
tions.
am glad to see that you have opened
your columns to Compulsory Education;
for, much as may be said in eommeEda
ton Of our present school system, it is
emphatically necessary TO make provis-
ions by law for the education ofchildren
whose parents are too careless TO prepare
their children for future usefulness. 1t
is fact, almost beyond intelligent com
prehensiCn, that many children are grow
ing up in cur midst. who are totally igmo
raut Of even the rudiments Of Il common
education. So long as this is tolerated,
Just so long will the ranks of the crimi-
nal class be replrnished by those who
might have been useful members of So
eiety. This is question which must
eventually be brought before Us all for
decision, and the sooner we study into
its merits the better will we be able to
decide as justice to our children and So
ciety demands. Remember, that Crime
and Superstition recedes before the ad
vance of knowledge and civilization.
There is another matter which l wish
70 notice briefly, not that am sufficient
Iy vain to expect to turn peoples preju-
dices from the groove in which il has 80
long worked, bat simply to show that
there are some left yet who hold in high
esteem those truly great men who have
spent the prime OF life, and all their
available means me ans, to promote the
cause OF Liberty and intelligence. We
refer to an extract which appears in the
address Of Rev. VIM. Jones, in which be
makes use Of the name of Thomas Paine
to promote the welfare OF the Hancock
County Bible Society. Now, it has new
er been made manifest that Mr. Paine
ever had anything to do with said Soci-
ETY.; but it has been established beyond
a doubt that lie figured largelo in pur
chasing the liberty which that Society
enjoys to-day; that at Valley Forge,
when our troops mere suffering with cold
and hunger, and their families furnishing
at home. When they were deserving and
leaving our army in pooI condition 10
resist British arms, he came forward with
his pen, and with his rare productions
scattered broadcast over the country,
sent the patriotic blood surging through
the hearts of our half famished troops,
again rallying them around their coun-
try's standard, and finally cheering them
on to victory and Liberty Is this the
man who made an appeal to passion and
ignorance! The man who at Trenton
laid down his official pen, took up mus
ket and fought in the ranks, when lie
saw that Liberty demanded his assist
ance; yes, the man who is acknowledg
ed to have done as much with his pen as
Washington did with his sword to pur-
chase the liberty we all enjoy, is to-day
branded as an immoral man-appealing
to the Passions and Ignorance Of his
countrymen. Shame on the degenerate
sons Of the sires Of '76, who, while en-
Toying the the fruits of his unrecompens-
ed labor, can stigmatize the man who
-labored so hard for their welfare And
why! Simply because all men dre not
constituted alike in mental caliber, and
he could not believe the doctrines of his
accusers. This in the boasted nineteenth
century, This in free country, where
free speech and progressive ideas have
lured wanderers across the. briny deep
from every civilized land. But enough
of this foI the present.
| would only say in conclusion, that |
am not attacking the Bible Society
Long may it wave Neither am court
ing a theological argument; but only
trying u speak a good word for one
whose name should be remembered with
gratitude by every truly patriotic heart.
His blade leaps not out at the long loud
cry,
Nor starts and streams with Il crimson dye
Hhe shouts not Charge nor the brave line
leads;
For he lies in tho grove Of his Glorious
deeds"
CICERO,