The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-16

free education in Indiana. From the lowest
10 the highest in all lines OF training, gen.
ersl and specific, classic and professional,
it is proposed that the state shall offer to
her sons the bess facilities. On this plan
the educational operations of the state are
laid out, and very respectable beginning
has been made. Indeed, so much
has been done already, that whether
the theory be right or wrong,
1t is questionable whether sound policy
would justify any radical change at this time
Still, it would be better to examine this
question now than twenty years hence, after
many thousands more shall have been de-
voted to state colleges. Those educators
who advocate the doctrine OF compulsory
education base their arguments on the pros
psrity of the state and the perpetuity OF
freedom. They do not insist so much on the
work for the sake of the individual as upon
the security of the state ITSELF Without
entaring any opinion on this ASSUME tion OF
the states pre-eminent right over that
of the parent in the rearing of
support points clearly to the extent of the
states duty in Creating intelligence for it's
own preservation. For the development of
the idea of freedom, for the prevention of
crime and its enormous cost, for the thrift
and growth of refined society and the pro-
duction OF wealth, a certain degree of educa-
ton is indispensable to the mass of the peo-
pie. Education, in one word, is essential to
good citizenship. AS such, 1t is to the inter-
est of the state to supply facilities and to do
everything consistent with the functions of
government to secure to every citizen such
an education as will fit him for usefulness
How much does this comprehend9 At
least, so much as is attempted in the COM
mon schools. These furnish to all the in
struments OF acquiring knowledge, the tools
for self culture, and the necessary intelli-
genee to fulfill the relations of good citi-
zen. They open to the youth, through read.
ing and writing, the gate to knowledge;
they give him the qualifications for prae
tical business, and so far disclose the hidden
msgnifcence of science. literature and pro-
fessional learning as to test the qualities of
all minds, leading them, if they areso capable,
and so inclined to the highest ways of hu
ton for the best citizenship involves more
than the public schools are able to confer, is
to encounter insurmountable difficulties at
once. A skilled scientist, consummate
professional man, cultured literary star
may add glory to the state, but to assume
that these high products OF mental culture
are indispensable to the good citizen would
be an absurdity. Further. inasmuch as but
a small proportion OF all the generations can
enter the path of learned pursuits
"a a business, there is mani
lest injustice in giving to a
few the highest and by tar the most
costly part of an education freely, while the
great majority receive only the advantages
ofthe common schools. Among institutions
of higher grade than the common schools,
the normal schools for the preparation OF
teachers are an exception to the principle,
because they are part of and necessary to
the common schools. The professional
qualification of teachers is policy of econ
omy both of money and of mind, as a COM
parlson of the work turned out by the
district school of to-day with that OF
thirty years ago, sufficiently illustrates
But why should any state undertake, at
public expense, to carry on colleges of any
kind! Is it because, without this interpo-
sition, facilities will not be attainable for
those DESTROYS of higher educationf The
history of this young country, to say moth
ing of the older nations of Europe, and the
present condition of classic and scientific.
schools to-day answer this question. With
few bright exceptions, state institutions
of learning are far behind those
created by private or church
enterprise which surround them
There is no work except religi Gus activities
more strictly one of beuev6lence and phi
than education. It is no. a self
business except in rare and
abnormal conditions, yet it ls a work which
has always and everywhere among civil
lied people commanded the support and
drawn out the hberality of the rich. The
judgment of men in regard to it is In favor
of the UNCONVENTIONAL institution as shown
by the direction of all gifts and requests.
They never go to state institutions.
Again, education Is even farther
removed from partisan politics
than religion. And in a country like this,
where parties make themselves felt
wherever legislation reaches, it is impossi-
BILE for state colleges to be secure from these
influences. Public high schools In cities are
justified by the common sentiment existing
in the peculiar circumstances. Some have
gone so far as to insist on post graduate
course for those looking to special
professional training, but the prih-
ciple is clearly wrong, and the
claim untenable. Time will undoubt-
edly work out into clear light the
true idea that beyond the education
which is necessary alike to all citizens in all
the walks and pursuits of life, the aspirants
to higher attainments ought TO seek them