Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-06-17
sCHOOLINTExEsTs NO. g.
Oar Public school system.
TO Me Editors Of Tie Independent !.

IS one to which all have access,
both easy and cheap, and as such,
adopted to their wants, and
benefit and direction to
of youths, we maintain,
lst. THAT 1T ELEvATES THE
CHARACTER OF A NATION.
In a former article we have al
anticipated this proposition
to some extent by showing that it
renders that nation in which the
masses are educated superior to
others, Intellectually morally and
politically.
In those States in which the sys-
tenn of public schools has been in
operation a number Of years. we
will find not few men occupying
positions Of honor, usefulness and
influence, who, but for this system
of education would, perhaps, be
still cropping their way in ignor-
ance, and be known no further
than the limits of their own i'm
mediate neighborhood. But thrO'
this blessed institution they have
been reached, their minds devel-
Oped. their views expanded, and
their intellectual and neral
strength brought to the surface /,
and they have been qualified and
fitted to enlist in the great battle
of life, in the course of Justice, hui
mainly and religion. The cult
waited minds of the people of a
State constitute the richest mine a
commonwealth car possess. The
growing intelligence of the people
has induced development and adj
vancement in every department
of the ats and sciences, as we'll as
in every legitimate pursuit in life.
Year after year science sheds the
lustre of her brilliant rays on many
an unexplored region, where the
hidden wealth of nature invites
the industry of the mechanic, the
artisan and the laborer !; thus not
only pouring increased revenue
into the public treasury but afford
ing labor to thousands of citizens.
1t has not only, by its influence
yielded profit and produced wealth
for the State, but 1t has elevated
the thoughts, expanded the sphere
of vision, and made known in
creased advantages to individual
citizens. And by increasing the
knowledge of the people, it has
aided them in the accumulation of
wealth, and made them respected
and powerful at home and abroad.
End. IT PROMOTES LIBERTY.
The public School is the life of
the State. From its bosomment
must be drawn those streams of
knowledge and virtue which pre-
pare freemen for the high duties
of our republican institutions. In
telligence aided by q sound NOR
ality and a sound press is our
greatest security against the dis
solution Ofour country and ruin
of our posterity. For they will
counterfeit and annihilate causes
which have preceded us in the
worlds history. Here public will
directs the policy of the govern
ment, for its very foundation rests
upon the sovereign thoughts ofthe
people-the masses. How impor-
tant than that that will should en-
anate from an intelligent mind
and clear Judgment. So long as
our people are made intelligent by
education and elevated in the scale
of morality. so long Jul liberties,
civil and religious, will be safe,
Upon these depends a proper and
healthy exercise of the elective
franchise which is accorded to the
humblest citizen.
What statesman can be indiffer-
ent to such system? What pri-
vate citizen can oppose it ? 1t may
be well for an autocrat of Russia,
or a Sultan ofTurkey, or any 9TH
er tyrant, whose life and power
are dependant on the Ignorance of
an unloved people, to be inimical
to a system of general education,
but no true American can be insen-
sible to its necessity and utility.
Popular education is the chief ele-
ment to form the true character of
this great nation.
Ignorance and true liberty are
incompatible. The most despotic
and arbitrary governments avoid
everything that would be likely to
spread intelligence among the COM
mon people. The owl, retiring and
gloomy as he is, hates not the SUMS
bright glare worse than the despot
hates all free institutions. Educate
the Russian serf, and the arbitrary
powers of the Gar would be gone.
Educate the ignorant Mussulman,
and the Turkish throne would tot
ter. Educate the wandering Arab,
and the rough Scythican, and they
will soon honor and appreciate the
advantages ofcivilization. Educate
the freedman, and he will be able