Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-22
the basis Of all the rest, there is such wealth of

the basis of all the rest there is no such wealth OF
advantages.
They have a means in their power however, in
reference to which one can better move, if all will
move together. Let the same school district which
provides for schools be declared by law to be o
corporation for the cultivation and diffusion Of
knowledge among its Inhabitants, and empowered
10 the erection or alteration Of school houses, to
provide accommodations. There are practicable
means by which the object may be carried on. The
State enactment which makes the school district
for this purpose, substantive thing, is the vital
spark which will set the currents of intellectual
life in motion, and means and facilities will be
quickly developed, ample for beneficial results.
Thus the popular intelligence which is the state
necessity, will be provided ior upon system; and
that knowledge which is the light Of all will 60
to ALL 1t is not less for the interest Of the State
than it is the right of the people that all should be
done that can be done to render the advantages
for this purpose equal; as equal and diflsive as
equal rig hts"
evil not enter into detail, although to do SO
would be, we believe, 10 show the entire rractica-
bility and easily successful operation of this plan
once carried into effect. The well known lecture,
the method of ins,ruc ion in colleges and profess
sonal schools, is equally opeu to the people Il
their own homes and the voice Of good reader
may often render the printed page more in
teresting than an original lecture. The demand
for eli her would not long exceed the suppy.
Even for the natural sciences, practical krowl-
edge of so many of which may be applied within
the precincts Of our farms. the colleges wou!dturn
out hosts Of qualified lecturers, in answer to any
permanent demand. The discussions Of a lyceum
or a farmers club arc always available whilst the
books in the district are ample, for the confer
ences of literary club, with its comments of OBJ
.eryation, judgment and good sense, 10 render
reading profitable.
Why should not he cultivation Of knowledge
and the mental wants Of the community be re-
garded like religion, as distinct and substantive
department for which a special provision should
be made We do rot regard the Sunday schol
as enough in the one a>e,-why the weekday
school in the other;
This department has already been indirectly
recognized; the school district represents it. BY
the change proposed it would take its name and
its character from its end and mt its means. Let
every school district be declared corporation for
this purpose. and it would be perpetual call to
the people, which would not long be unrespcnded
to.
The views we have presented we will exhibit
briefly az follows:
That the State has had primary reference in the
provisions it has made for education, to the wants
Of the adult population.
That whatever provisions are made By the State
should be as nearly equal in their operation and
in the advantages they extend for mental cultiya-
ton as possible.
That the existing provisions either limited
in their nature or estrcted id their local opera
ton so as to fall short ef this standard
That it should be the duty Of the State to avail
itself Of all practicable means TO supply this def
cheney, and to extend the advantages ard encour-
age the dispositions for mental cultivation through
out the State.
That with the facilities existing at the present
day, the people may do much for this object by
their own voluntary action; and by their organ-
zaton for this purpose in the several school dis
tricts provision would be made, systematic, COM
prehensive and efficient, which would include in
its advantages every inhabitant of the State.
And that therefore, either the school districts
should be constituted distinct corporations or the
existing corporations should be invested with the
charge of such interests and empowered to pro-
vide all suitable accommodations Cor the meetings
of the inhabitants for Il il purpose.