Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-06-03
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NO. s.


Every human being commences
the journey of life in total ignor-
ance of everything in the world.
Man, Intellectually and morally
begins life as Zero. The mind is a
blank as to every thing. But in
his ub-equent journey through
life he must arise to some height
In the scale of knowledge, and
that height is entirely dependent
upon his surroundings, and the
appliances brought to bear upon
him for his development.
It must be admitted by every
candid and sensible man that that
nation is in advance of all otheIs
which takes care of its YOUTH
makes provision fer their educa-
ton, regulates its system by
wholesome laws and carries it out
by good and honest Men-men
who do their duty without fear or
favor.
The system Of Public Schools. if
properly managed, is the greatest
institution of the present day, for
it underlies all others and gives
them course and color 1t has
been found to be such both in Eu-
rope and America. 1t does not
require much observation to see
that the strongest states and firm
est governments are those that ed
ucate the masses by excellent
schools. What other than this, for
instance, has made Prussia super
ior to Austria, and given such
prestige to the German Empire ?
Other European powers feel the
fo.ce of this, and are co npelled, if
they wish to keep pace to adopt
some system of universal educa-
ton. The Gar anu the Sultan are
alike necessitated to follow in the
wake of popular education.
There was a time in the past
when learning, like power, was the
birth-right of a few; when the
right of the people were not fairly
acknowledged. We should be pro-
fOundly thankful that we live in
a different age and under govern
ments WHO not only concede to the
people their rights, but secure them
their pc session by liberal legis
alto in this particular. Like the
tight of the sun which chez 8 alike
the high and the low, the rich and
the poor, our government exerts
itself to furnish all Gle 'es with at
least a practical English education.
This makes it friend to educa-
ton, and reciprocally our govern
ment finds in it a friend and sup
porter.
Public Schools are the Peoples
colleges, and the great body of
youths visiting there and gradual
ing from them seek no other Alma
Mater. And as these graduates
from the common schools, in due
curse of time, become the bone
and sinew of our republic, it is SUI
preme folly to oppose system so
eminently calculated to make in
telligent and law-abiding citizens.
We are aware that there are some
exceptions, and that occasionally
one prostitutes his attainment to
ignoble purposes, but the abuse of
thing is no argument against it.
While,the present system is not
free from imperfections it is too
firmly established and has accom-
plished too much good to be i'm
paired by any opposition. Ger
tainly no republican citizen con-
versant with the institutions of
his country could oppose himself
to that which constitutes the very
life-essence of our government.
In West Virginia the system is
yet in its infancy. We may al
most say that it is yet in crude
state, at least it needs considerable
shaping yet. This is owing in a
great measure to the want of
knowledge and tact on the part of
some of those whose duty it is to
carry it out. The fault lies not so
much in the laws that govern the
system, as an improper and inju-
dicious manipulation oft by care
less or incompetent par ties. Tho
as already remarked,i it is yet in its
infancy, it is pleasing reflection
that it gives promise ola manhood
radiant with health and vigor.
In some localities the system has
had eventful trials and struggles,
and its friends were compelled to
brave much bitter opposition, but
it has hourished and can show a
cheering record of great usefulness
and encouraging achievements. 1t
has acted as mighty intellectual
lever to raise the masses from the
level of ignorance and insignifi-
canoe to higher and clearer per-
ception of their destiny. Public
opinion, the mighty sovereign in
the organization of republican
governments, has at length set in
with a current broad and deep and
Irresistible in vindication and sup