The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-01-10

:
should be distinctly apprehended.
other words, the educational syste
! must be regarded IS an essential part
: the government machinery of the Stat
lhis fear Is not realized by the masse
The most Indifferent observer knows TIL
a police force, however expensive, jai
and penitentiaries, and in case
instruction, soldiers and bavoneti
to queli the insurgents, all necessary t
secure the great object of all government
But that the educational system has a
equal share with these punitive forces, an
1t Is far more noble and effective fore
than these, Is not so apparent-that tn
forming Of character is far more efectiv
instrument in the maintenance of the sc
curity of our person and property tha
Lonely cells aud penal colonies. 1t is
wise maxim that it is better to remov
temptation than 10 expose persons t.
their influence, and then punish the cul
prit for yielding. In its bearings upon
the ends to be secured By every wisc
government, it is not only better, bu
cheaper; this, however, is not so clear t,
the many. What is visible, impresse
Us much more readily than that which i.
abstract, or which, from its very nature
can only be conceived by the mind
Sherilfs and jails figure much more
largely among our ideas of what is need
ful to government, than common schools,
since they, like nature in her grand and
ceaseless operations, works silently, yet
understood, our whole duty to the State
would be known as to all the methods by
which our person and property may be
best secured and defended, and the pub
lie school system would at once be lifted
to its own proper plane, and would take
position as the most effective agency in
the maintenance of order.
The protection Of our PERSON, PROP
ERTY and RIGHTS is the grand END to be
achieved by every enlightened govern
ment. Failure to do this for which the
people are so heavily taxed, is
generally the result of defective laws.
negligence in their perversion, or wink
ing ut their violation by sworn officials
is still chargeable to defects, This re-
mark is not to be construed as an en-
dOrsement of Draconian laws. Enough
has been said to make the inquiry, how
the State seeks to accomplish its object.
Whatever difference of opinion there
may be in regard to the functions of
all the disputants agree upon
one point: that it is the duty the solemn
duty Of the State at all times and under
all circumstances, to take orders for the
of the persons and rights of the
members of the community. There is
an emphatic opinion upon this subject.
Doubt never throws its shadow across
this deeply rooted conviction. 1t matters
little whether famine wastes the land, or
the pestilence smites its unfortunate in
habitants, or poverty and debts burden
the people. This, the government must
DO. There is no repuguaney 70 heavy
taxation for this purpose.
Two methods are apparent to all think
ing men to secure this end Both have
received the seal of universal endorse
nent in the progress of civilization.
/. The PunitiUe Force of Government
This consists mainly of three great aims
Of government. To this must be added
Ill county officers, the municipal officers
If our town, the whole constabulacy
force of the State. As part of this
add all the buildings
1T the Capital Of the State, prominent
among which is that frowning building
called the penitentiary preaching to the
good people of the State pathetic and
sermons on crime and guilt,
lesolated homes and heavy taxation.
Fhis Is not the end of the regulating APP
)liances. Add to all this, sixty nine
court houses for sixty-nine Counties
here are the temples of justice, where
he right and truth and morality find |
embodiment in wise and salutary stat
ltes, whose violations are emphasized !
~ sixty-nine gloomy jails, impressive
on misdemeanors of every |
description and consequent taxation. |
This then is the great regulating force of /
he State, by which one persons property |
md rights may be secured. How i'm |
partially and Justly this was done, every !
Atizen can determine for himself. A |
torn of Indignation might be raised .
gainst many au official for deep wrongs |
md many an act of damning peridy, !
hat would curdle the life-blood of the /
infant in the cradle-men who treat
'aths and solemn trusts as boys treat /
DOT balls. This part of the machinery /
# government is the immediate-the |
lirect cause of heavy taxation. The |
,reat burden of our taxes goes to regu-
ate society in the form of punishment |
II in the adjustment of litigations. For
I'll this, we pay our taxes willing ly. To /
punish crime and adjust civil suits at
aw costs the State per annum, directly /
n indirectly, at least $4,000, 900. /
From this we see how expensive /
,ur persons, rights and property are. The
School system will cost this year about .
5000, 600 or 800, 900, and that not by /
lirect taxation. Five thousand criminals .
distributed in the different counties Of the /
State, and each confined in Jail on an
average of four months in the year, al
owing the jailor forty cents per capita /
# his prisoners for food eight or seven .
md half cents is allowed for tuition by 4
he State to prevent the burden Of forty l
.ents tax hereafter) with all the expenses
If the courts cost the people as much, in
III probability as the tuition of 100, 900
ID. The preventive force. This is the
ystem of public instruction. 1t is adj
nitted by all thoughtful men, that
'irtue and Intelligence are necessary to +
he stability of a free government.
hould also add that private schools and
he christian religion are entitled to a
ull share among the forces that prevent
rhine. Neither, however is supported
" State tax. The statesman knows
hat upon the character of the population
sill depend the peace, prosperity and
ecurity of the community. What is to
orm the character of our youths for
worthy citizenship, except our common
chools? If this be denied, we simply
tate that it is an historic fact that in
as common schools increase
rhine and vice decrease. Besides, in
hose states in which they have been most