The Daily clarion., 1877-01-07
s'he Public school sy.1em.--No. +

interests of its children? The latter IS
no doubt the most direct and important
question to be considered in bringing the
subject to the attention of the reading
public. If it is duty, it should have
the generous support which its impor-
tance merits, and such legislation by
which this noble object which it proposes
to accomplish, may be attained. Thus
far, all the legislative enactments govern
ing the system, have been fanciful, ILL
considered extravaganza. At any rate,
wisdom and justice are not the marked
characteristics of our school laws.
The tree bears little fruit. The effect
of this upon the people can easily be
imagined in these trying times. Some
are disgusted, others talk of the burden OF
the school tax, however ight that may be,
and far greater number are indifferent,
caring little whether the system succeeds
or not. This state of things, to say the
! least, is dcplorable. The writer proposes
to discuss some of its features with the
hope of directing attention to Its merits.
AS a starting point, to kaooC our duty,
| and lVadt is necessary to assure the success
/ of the system, its connection with the
government of the State as part OF II,
Should be distinctly apprehended. In
other words, the educational system
must be regarded as an essential part in
the government machinery of the State.
This fear is not realized by the masses.
| The most Indifferent observer knows that
police force, however expensive, JAls
aud penitentiarIes, and IN case or
insurrection, soldiers and bayonets,
to quci the insurgents, all necessary to
secure the great object of all government.
But that the educational system has an
equal share with these punitive forces, and
it is a far more noble and effective force
than these, is not so apparent-that the
formjnq of character is far more effective
instrument in the maintenance OF the Sc
curity of our person and property than
lonely cells aud penal colonies. 1t Is
wise maxim that it is better to remove
temptation than to expose persons to
their influence, and then punish the cui-
prit for yielding. In It's bearings upon
the ends to be secured by every wise
government, it is not only better, but
/ cheaper this, however, is not SO clear to
the many. What is visible, impresses
us much more readily than that which Is
abstract, or which, from its very nature,
can only be conceived by the mind.
Sherifs and jsils 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
like nature, nightly. Were this clearly
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 at 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
government, 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
security of the persons and rights of the
members of tie 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
habltants, or poverty and debts burden
the people. This, the government must
do. There Is no repugnancy to heavy
taxation for this purpose.
Two methods areapparent to all think
ing men TO secure this end Both have
received the sea OF universal endorse
inent III the progress of civilization.
l. The Puaitipe Force of Government
This consists mainly of three great aims
of government To"this must be added
all county officers, the municipal officers
OF our town, the whole constabulary
force of the State As part of this
machinery, add all the buildings
at the Capital of the State, prominent
among which is that frowning building
called the ,penltentiary preaching to the
good people of the State pathetic and
convincing sermons on criHle and guilt
desolated homes and heavy taxation.
This IS not the end of the regulating ap
pllances. Add to all this, sixty nine
court houses for sixty-nine counties
there are the temples of justice, where
the right and truth and morality find
embodiment in wise and saIutary stat