The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-26


sonal favJdtism only, which, nevertheless,
count in making up the majority that passes
for sovereign judgment upon grave
measures of state policy. 1t is some
times said the education of the masses is i'm
material, because in every country in every
age grave political measures are originated
and carried out by a lew leading and cul-
tivated minds. We may grant this to be 30.
Still two answers may be gwen to il as q
practical proposition. First, in popular
sovereignties those leading minds must be
placed in position to act by the suffrage of
the masses, and if that suffrage be cast
without reference to the theories or the
proposed policies of opposing candidates,
the ballot decides no principle, and is in
effect nullity. A much lower standard
of education will suffice to understand
measures originated and explained than
that requisite to originate and explain them.
But there must be some extent mental in
vigoration and enlargement by educational
processes-there must be instlled into the
mind some general political principles, by
which the soundness of theories or meas
ures proposed may be tested. And that
individual who has not been educated TO
this point, and it is not very high one or
very difficult of attainment, is unprepared
for the exercise of the sovereignty in which
he participates. Therefore, the state is In
duty bound to take measures which will
place such limited education within reach
OF the masses. Applause. If be true
that reliance must he had at last upon
few leading minds, it will not be que STONED
that those minds require very high grade
of education. They must be worked up to
such vigor and grasp of thought, and fur
nished with such stores of knowledge, as
will enable them to investigate, and under
stand, and elucdate the most difficult
problems of political scieEce. And how is
this to obtained7 Only in the higher insti-
tutions of learning-in those designated by
the comprehensive titles of universities, 80
called because they are supposed capable of
teaching everything that may be learned.
| lay 1t down as self-evident proposition
that every people claiming to be sovereign,
aud duly exercising he attributes of sover-
eighty, should and must, it true to them
selves, have such an institution. APP
plause Take Georgia for example. How
else is rue to be provided with those lead
ing minds who are to guide the masses
through tie 10TH ae processes of govern
ment?
We'll, you sa2 that her youths must 90
for this education to, and become the pu-
| Union, or in foreign countries? Reflect
that they msy there receive teachings in-
compatible with cur Ideas of good govern
ment But look at the proposition in
another poin. OF view. Reduce it to its
last analysis, end what is it? Just this,
that the sovereignty of Georgia must re-
main forever under the pupilage of other
sovereignties. Is this compatible with the
| dignity-is it compatible with the honor
of the Empire state of the south? Will it
be said that Georgia has now university ?
| Yes she has university by name, but,
trust me, it is in an embryo state. lis
trustees have been carr rest in their endeav-
ors to expand it, and give it the body and
the appliances of a university. But it is a
most notifying fact that The means are
wanting. Without more liberal endow-
ment the object cannot be accomplished.
| Applause
My fixed belief Is that Georgia will not
be true 10 herself until she shall have pro-
vided an ample endowment for common
school and university education. l kno W
and feel the burdens OF the people at this
time, and l know and feel that with the
heavy losses of property they have sus-
tanned, and with the tremendous financial
depression which pervades the country at
| Juls lutllGuidNC lull
of these enterprises is not to be expected.
But | believe that system can be devised
by which these great objects can be accom-
plished within few years, gradually, with
| out Increasing the pecupiary burdens now
resting on the people, and think you will
agree with me that the great object is wor.
| thy of the most serious consideration. APP
plause.
L utter no caution against class legsla.
ton or discrimination against our citizens
of African descent. feel perfect assur.
| aDce that there is no member of this body
who would propose such action, and II
there was he would soon find himself with
out follower. That portion of our popu
latiOn are coming to see and will soon real.
ize that those who once occupied differ
ent relation 10 them, fully recognize the
change that has elevated their civil status
and arr in truth their best friends. Ap
plause.
1t is unnecessary to speak of our fedora
relations. These are created by and wei
detintd ia the constitution of the UniteC
States All rghtminded men see and know
that Georgia is observing strict fidelity t
them, and therefore need make no new
pledges, assume no obligations, upon thai
constitution. Entirely outside of these re-
iauOns georgia has reserved sovereignty
and government TO maintain. This is tn,
precise field of our labors, and there is il
it scope enough for the grandest intellec
and the most ardent patriotism. Limiting
ourselves to this sphere of action, keeping
steadily in view as our polar star the re
served sovereignty Of Georgia, looking t.
the enlightenment of her people, the devel
opment of her resources and her STEADY
progress in civilization, let us endeavor u
frame for her constitution which genera
tons of a remote future shall regard as thu
palladium of their sacred liberty and thei
| unbounded DrOsDeritY