The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-18
c 4 ~ Es4aaAon,

lie imitation f.llacy has t.en 50 cmpl,atically
in both Cnio md Pennsylvania,
rat it will hardly again rise to national signii-
ance, it is more t.lan probable that the issue
liuded to will Sand out in becoming promin-
nee when the peonlc are called upon to decide
ito whose land they are willing to commit
he destin'as OF the republic for the next Pres
Dental term>f We do not refer to the Public
schools as they now exist. They are yet but at
hat system Of education which makes it OBJ
sat ry upon every parent to sec that his child
rec Ewes the instruction necessary to all under
OF its mother tongue and the COM
preheDsion of the laws by which it is to be gov
erned. Compulsory education must ere long
be weighed in the balances of public opinion and
when the test is made 1t will not be found
wanting. 1t is not only expcdient, but if this
government is to guarantee the elective fran
chise to each OF its citizens, 1t is necessary
The melancholy exhibition recently afforded
by the election in Mississippi, where negroes
were made to vote the Democratic ticketsimply |
because they were told that the names of the Re-
publican candidates were printed thereon, and
were not able to detect the Fraud demonstrates
as clearly rs can be that ignorance is the lever
employed to defeat the will Of the masses and
destroy the vital principles Of q republican
form Of government. 1t 1sa mockery to assure |
a man that he has an equal right before the
law, and toeoapel ftiinsto exercise that right
to defeat his expressed wishes, and opens the
flood-gates of corruption so vile that the last
vestige of citizenship issswcpt out of exist
ence.:. ..'.t's-i -, ''--s.e
Nearly one thousand years ago the greatest
prince, statesmansand philosopher the world
ever knew, with all enlightenment chat over
shadows all the boosted achievements of the
heroes of history, founded two systems ofsgov-
crnment-the one of which the civilization Of
succeeding ages has been powerless to inn
prove upon, whilst even at this advanced
stage, the other has failed to be comprehended.
| When Alfred the Great introduced iuries and
compulsory education, he laid the foundation
stones upon which must rest the governmental
structure Of the future; from which must eman-
ate a succession of laws that will conduce to
! tile abbrevation of the criminal record and the
elevation of the moral, mental and social condi-
ton of the people of this Republic. Weare now
at that stage OF our political existence when
self-prescrvation demands universal knowl-
edge Of the ele mentary rudiments, and this can
only be accomplished by a Thorough system Of
compulsory education. 1t is not to be supposed
that such a revolution can be wrought without
a struggle; the people are too closely: welded
to their idols; too deeply imbucd with their
ideas OF unrestrained liberty, to admit of such an
invasion of the domestic circle and household
administration without Offering. determined
resistance, but the contest will be a bloodless
one, and the result is already foreshadowed in
the legislative cnactments of New York and
Connecticut where, in theory at least, compul-
sorry education Is the law of the land
1t falls to the lot of the Republican party to
grappe with and subdue this widespread igno
rance, and it will but work out the plans of
manifest destiny in giving to the people gov
eminent based upon the intelligence of the GOV
erned--purified and elevated in part and in
whole.
The Beecher-Tlton scandal has all the ap-
pearance Of vigorous revival. Mrs. Emma
D. Moulton had refused to attend the services
at Plymouth Church and participate in the
sacralnental ceremonies, under Mr.. Beecller's
administration since his trial. She was sum-
marily dismissed from the membership, not
SO much as an inquiry being instituted for her
reasons. 10 this arbitrary action, she pro-
tests, giving her reasons for the course she had
1 t,,
tie members of Plymouth Church, ''My alb
sence is all enforced one, and is caused by
the crime OF adultery committed by Henry
Ward Is ,echer, pastor OF the Church, with one
of his paris, ,oners, which know to be a fact
through Mr.. Bsecher's confessions to me, and
through the confess ions IT Mrs. Tilton, and
through. conclusive evidences OF the crime
from other sources" ~ After assigning this
tcause of absence, she asks thSt tho members
join with her in calling counci., Of churches
before which the whole matter may b, brougat
and whether the members were
/ right in their unchurching her, or she in i.e-
fusing to attend the services under Mr.. H. w.
Beecher.
Miss Florence Tilton has asked for papers of
uoi'ASshis "uu EAIs W SoC Has Uctt uTOFkscQ Ill
the same manner and for the same reasons
that Mrs. Moulton was. Mr.. Henry c. Bowen
is to be dropped also, and he says if that is the
case, he will want to know the reason fer It,
and will make a stir that will not be agree
able to Mr.. Beecher or Plymouth Church.
/ The inference drawn by the critics Of these
proceedings is, that a council or churches
should be called-that i. cannot be refused
with any degree Of propriety or justice. =, II
this should be the result, the whole subject will
be re-epenea, and Mr.. Bcechcr tried by gen
tlemen Of his own cloth.
1t is a strange state OF religious conviction
that would worship not only at the altar Of
Beecher's church, but worship Beecher him.
SELF who is SO deeply tainted with great
crims. That he is guilty Of the, crime impr-
| ted to sim. We have never had a doubt, and
that he has thus far maintained himself with
his congregation. is a severe criticism on the
moral and religious tone OF those who sit un-
der his, preaching, go. -
GRAND COUNCIL SoNsoF JoNADAB-OFFI-
GERS ELEcrED.-The following officers were
elected and installed by tive Grand Council
Sons of Jonadab, at Harrisoaburg. OH the Sd
T. W.tNeyvfon ~ M Q Qtourtor C.1