The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1877-12-12
LRe1sLArroN III AID OF EDUCATION.

The wisdom Of legislation upon the part
OF congress III aid of the states, for the edu-
cation Of the whole people in those branches
OF study which are taught in the com.
mon schools of the country, is
no longer question. The intelligent judg-
ment of the country goes still further,
regarding it as also both constitutional and
expedient for the general government to
extend to technical and higher education,
such aida i deemed essential to the general
welfare, and to our due prominence among
the enlightened and cultured nations of the
world. The ultimate settlement Of all ques-
ton or finance, or Of true nation
atty of sentiment, depends upon
the virtue and intelligence Of the people
1t is vain to hope for the success Of free
government without the means of insuring
the intelligence Of those who are the source
Of power. No less than one-seventh Of the
entire voting population of our country
are yet unable to read or write.
1t is encouraging to ID observe in
connection with the growth Of fraternal
feeling in those states in which slavery for.
merly existed, evidences of increasing in
terest in universal education and / shall be
glad to give my approval to any APP
propriate measures which may be
enacted by congress for the purpose Of sup
plementing with national aid the local sys-
tenn Of education in these states and in all
the states, and having already invited your
attention to the needs of the District of
Columbia, with respect toits public school
BILE not SO much with reference to the
local wants of the district, but to the great
and lasting benefit of the entire country,
that this system should be crowned with
a university in all respects in keeping with
the national capital, and thereby realize
the cherished hopes of Washington on this
subject. @ 80 ~ i'zA >as
I also earnestly commend the request of
the regents of the Smithsonian institute
that an adequate appropriation be made for
the establishment and conduct of a national
museum under their supervision. The re-
quest of providing for the preservation and
growth Of the library of congress is also one
Of national Importance. As the depository
Of copyright publications and records, this
library has outgrown the provisions for its
accommodation, and the erection on such
site as the judgment Of congress may APP
prove, of fre-proof library building to pre-
serve the treasures and enlarge the useful
ness Of this valuable collection, is recon-
mended. l recommend also, such legisla-
ton as will render available and efficient for
the purpose of instruction, so far as consist
ent with republic services, the cabinets or
museums of invention, of surgery, Of educa-
ton and of agriculture, and other collec-
tons, property Of the national government.
The capital of the nation should be some
thing more than mere political centre.
We should avail ourselves of all the oppor-.
tunities which Providence has placed at our
command to promote the general intelli-
gence Of the people, and increase the con-.
ditions most favorable to the success and
perpetuity Of our institutions ,-..-..
-.--.. (Signed.) R. B. HAYES.
December 8, 1877. .s....,..... w.