Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-19


sentence.
Section :. On receipt Of such application Inc
Governor may, with the advice and consent ci .ne
Council grant pardon or a computation Oh sen
,anre unon such conditions and with such restllc-
tions ard Limitations as may he dteneu proper,
and to carry the same into effect may Issue ms
warrant directed TO all proper officers, VINO shaH
serve and obey 1t.
TIE .SCHOOL LSTRICTAS M 0RGAL,
ia TION FOX THE BENEFIT or 1HE
hDULT P0PCLA TION.
We have already set forth some views on this
subject, in an article in the Journal of Jan 22f.
The ACQUISITION of knowledge and Intellectual cul-
ture will not be regarded by any intelligent peo-
pie as object. unworthy ofattention. Any degree
orintcligence which should not appreciate them,
would necessarily be set down as too low Oar
people have ever recognized them, as having an
inherent necessity in the existence of cur institu-
lions and as vital to the welfare and progress OF
the people. Such provision as the state could
make in the pervading free school and in colleges
and academies has been coegal with those Instltu-
tons themselves. Other provisions have grown
up in the development Of the press, and IN the
many-form agencies, through association and 9TH
erwise, which the tastes and wants of an lntel H.
gent community have called into requisition. Bat
1t will readily be granted that if anything more
can be done for the diffusion Of useful and prac'l-
cal knowledge and for a more liberal supply, or II
we p ease for further creation and supply OF in
tellectuil wants throughout our population, II
onght to be done. No facilities which Providence
places within our power can be rishtfally sighted
The present is day in which acknowledge has
Tho intelliUerca which sufficed for q
former time will not answer in this, either 10 main
tain the same relative standard or to answer the
same relative purposes. 1t is uue that the facli-
ties for the possession and diffusion and taste for
the cultivation of knowledge have also increased.
Ii is not, however, true that all sections Of the
community share equally IN these facilities. The
disparity Of advantage between centres OF popula-
ton and localities more remote and sparsely set
tied, is obvious. If there are means available by
which the facilities and pleasures Of intellectual
culture, the circulation Of the many useful and
practical ideas Of The day upon SO many matters
affecting the interests oftae people and the health
full moral and social influences connected with the
development AMI cultivation Of intellectual tastes,
may be Systematically extended to all alike, 1t
would certainly seem that there could be but one
opinion as to tie duty Of employing those means
For this purpose the school district is an organ
ization ready made to our hand. 1t does not more
readily answer the purposes OF the school than IT
can he made to answer the interests Of all its in
habitants, in the relations now specified. Its pri
mary object is the adult inhabtant the intelli-
gent citizen, not the child; who is only the way
through which the object is sought to be reached.
The means, however, answers the end but imper-
fectly; because there are many who are able only
in small degree to avail themselves of its advan-
tsges; while at most, knowledge Of the "three
Rs" does not constitute intelligence. Writing and
arithmetic are merely the mental implements Of
business; ard the art Of reading is not knowledge
but only a medium ofacquring knowledge. lIav-
ing impaired these affiliations for the acquisi
ton of Intelligence" and knowledge, the school
leaves their attainment to other and accidental OPP
portunitics. Why should there not be for this
purpose something systematic and direct? Some
thing ,hat will more directly and etiectualy bear
upon the main object, and will be the logical car
rying cut of the inita;ofy but imperfect provision
already made If anything more can be done for
the promotion of the direct object, the partial pro-
vision for that end now made, is an implied rec
ognition on the part Of the State, that it ought to
be done.
There is something further which can be done.
II may be done through voluntary action on the
part Of the people which the State may set on foot
aad may deyelope into system and give to it the
character of an institution as all peryading, while
more comprehensive and efficient than the schools.
I tha Sta.o obi I tha,o he
legisla i've recognition of knowledge and mental
cultivation, as worthy objects Of attention by the
people, and constitution or declaration of the
school districts as cor lrations for this purpose,
with power 10 provide accommodation ia connec-
ton with the school houses or otherwise for the
meetings of the inhabitants. No other provision
for tax will be necessary. Voluntary association
u.s. and the school district once constituted "par-
ish" for this purpose, the people would not fail to
have their attention awakened in behalf Of an OBJ
ject which all approve when circumstances which
discourage or impede exchanged for those
which favor and invite. Why should not the cul-
tivation OF the mind aud Of useful and practical
be a substantive department with
special provision for its requirements, as well as
religion 1t would be auxiliary TO religions and
the power Of religion in all its benelccnt action
and influences upon the community would be null
tiplieI hundred fold through its means.
Let US briefly see more specifically how we
should expect the institution now supposed would
operate, and some Of its advantages. In both
these respects time and space would be we'll i'm
proved in entering INTO detail, but they will per-
init US but to name some of the points. Details
which are perfectly practical and thoroughly prac-
ticable may appear less so in theory than they
would be found to be 10 practice. As to the mode
Of operation, it might be enough to say that it
would be by meetings Of the inhabitants during
evenings of the winter season, to be employed in
such manner as the choice of the inhabitants
should direct. The great and hcalthful power of
religion among US is maintained among adults, by
preaching and conference meetings. Lectures
and discussions would be the corresponding meth
DDS in this department An additional agency
would be that Of public reading by which any
amount Of valuable information might be acquired
by all, through the agency oronc. As to the sub
jecs which might claim attention, there is moth
lGg within the range of the mental moral social