Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-05-16

States of Massachusetts, and New York.
Massachusetts presents the Adams. Dana.
Hoar and other families OF equal note
while New York sends Kelley. Cox. Nor
risy and Tlden. Educstion makes the
difference in these selections. Massachu-
sets has an intelligent, educated class oil
voters who think for themselves, while
New York Is in the power OF an ignorant
foreign vote, which is controlled by such
men as those already mentioned. Other
States might be laid side by side, and. as
striking would be the comparison be-
tween their public men. as Is that OF their
educational statistics.
Ignorance is the los oil every govern
ment, whether Il come from naturailzed
foreigners. from neglect TO educate native
boru children, or. as is the case IN our
Southern States 10y the injection oil NIL
lion ignorant slaves into the body polite
Il was considered necessary To give the
privilege OF franchise 10 the liberated
slaves, in order TO secure them 10 their
rights. after the war, bat with the light
OF to-day il i evident that less evil would
have resulted igom holding he rebellious
States as conquered territory until the
poor slaves had teen 80 educated as TO
nc them Tor the responsibilities OF citlzen-
ship, than to have pursued that course
There is but one way 10 prevent our
government from sinking into ANARCHY
or SO low IN the estimation OF the peopl
tlat they will foIsake L; and seek an
o her lorm,-and that is 10 secure K n
era education OF the masses. IL Is very
a. ub;iul ii the constitution places sum
cient power in the hands OF the general
goyernmen ut 10 enable il 10 enforce con-
pulsory educational law OSing 10 ths
Ignorance and prejudice prevalent IN
many sections, it is impossible for the
States To either pass uniform compulsory
laws; or 10 secure Sufficient vote Tor
the adoption OF = Constitutional Amend
meni looking TO that end. NotwlthsIand-
lng this TACT, il Is not necessary Tor Us TO
submit TO = rule OF ignorance and cor
Tup,ion. 5. Gu as Is likely 10 come upon US
in the near future, If some remedy is not
applied. Doubtless the National Gov
eminent has power 10 control the elective
franchise sufficiently 10 prevent tota!
overthrow OF republican principles. IL
would be but al act OF seli-preservHtion
10 establish test which should be applied
10 every voter. before be is allowed 10
deposi, bis ballot-and that test should
De education. No man who is unable 10
read the vote be holds in MS hand, should
be allowed 10 throw it. It is no privilege
to al ignorant person 10 DO instructed or
bought or wheedled into assisting certain
men to secure Office. OF whom be knows
nothing. Il is but putting weapon id
his hands with which be may not only
destroy himself. but unwitling.y, his
neighbors also. Such a law would not
only set Us preventive OF political ills,
but would also have 4 tendency to en-
courage universal education, subject to
none OF the objections raised agains,
compulsory education. Ii 4 man does
no, consider the elective franchise priv
ilege sufficiently valuable to be secured
by the labor OF learning 10 read, he Ger.
tainly is not iii 10 have u voice 10 the
government. Those who value the priv
iege. will not only apply themselves to
learning. but will see that their sons and
dependents are Tilted for the exercise OF
lhsir political duties Thus Il more gen
elal education will be secured and the
goyerrmeat will be taken from the hands
OF those who have no qualities iItiEg
them 20 be its cus,odians.