Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-24
"Let there be Liaht.n

''Let there be light" The world was N
a state of chaotic darkness; no new the
orisss sprang up to illumine the blackness
nor did even single candle cast its little
rsy upon the enshrouding clouds. But at
this wonderful command. an ineffsble
brightness was diffused. and the whole
face of nature changed, as Gin the twink
ling OF an eye" The most profound
thinker or scientist can torn no Just con-
ception Of that change, nor OF the grow
ing glory to follow. The dawning OF
day, after the widest night OF winter. in
tensi6ed thousand fold, would bear but
slight ssmblance TO the first ray OF Gre
atoms dawn. And vet this FIRST great
change" took plsee with no buster and
no pretension. The simple words which
head this article, uttered in sublime pow
er, wrought sll.
1t may not Oe thought smiss nor sacri-
legious 10 compare this manifestation OF
nature TO the condition Of the political
mind in this section. A darkness has
settled upon our people; or. rather, our
people have Just begun to feel the dark
ness which shrouds their minds in regard
10 politics. Particularly is this the case
in regard 10 the administration of national
affairs-lhe conduct of governmental
business. Differing from the early stage
OF history referred to. this age presents
the spectacle of a host OF theorists and
noisy tOngued teachers. each OF whom
endeavors 70 penetrate the gloom by his
keen vision. and TO enhghten men by the
light Of his Wit. After giving heed to
such. the people only find the darkness
more intense, and beat more wildly
against the surrounding clouds.
There is sill a grand and simple utter
Ance which shall. like the AlmighIy's tis',
work marvellous changes in this thing.
No sentence Is needed; one word-edu-
caliou-shsll worS the miracle II Is a
Illuminating task " write OF this darkness
OF ignorance 10 be found in enlightened
Maine. with her school houses and boosted
intelligence. But person who wss "out'
during the late campaign could not iaii to
note it. Il was thrust upon him st every
meeting, and SHE'D al him from behind
every corner. As 8 single illustration Of
this tact, We might cite the view which is
largely held. 10 regard 20 The method Of
obtaining revenue by the general govern
men,. IL has been asserted within twenty
miles of this Office, that the United States
government assessed an annual tax upon
each State; the State, in turn, divided
this assessment among he, counties; the
counties sub-diyided their sppoTtionmeDt
among the towns, and each town raised
its tax by direct assessment among the
polls and property within is limits. This
absurd theory has found many ready TO
adopt it, because il was boldly asserted
BY a brazsn-faced lisr who Intentionally
deceived the people. We DO not say the
speaker was wholly to blame for the
propagation of this error his hearers
should have borne in mind the fact that
halt Of every Congressional session is
employed in "tinkering the tariff laws
adjusting import and export duties. and
in regulating the free list.
But the object OF this article is not TO
expose and refute error so widely cast as
it has been. during the pas; two years, in
Oxford County. Il is simply 10 suggest
remedy for the evil, and one that shall
proven, its recurrence. We must educate
ourselves. The safety and perpetuity OF
our institutions demand this, and depend
upon il. An ignorant pOpulace is inca
pable OF self-gOvernmens; and this tru-
ism has been re-proyed by our late cleo
ton. Lessons bearing upon political
economy il general, and particularly as
II relates to this country, should occupy
portion OF the time in every school in
the land. We have watched. for nearly
eight years, = school in this section, and
during that time have we but once heard
s class in United States history. This
said class consisted of two young ladies',
and they began their studies a, Monroe's
administration, because the pictorial his
tory presented this President as good
looking man Such neglect is uupar-
donable, and is bearing lis fruits to-day.
The history OF our government; its con-
su,ution and other laws; the organize
ton. character, power and number of its
executive officers. with their duties; the
Coordinate branches OF government, the
powers OF States. their rights and restric-
tons, all should be patiently taught in
every school. These things are OF vastly
more Importance to the boy who is TO
assist in conducting all this machinery,
than is the fact that Hong Kong is in
China; that Liverpool is an English SCI
post. or even an acquired ability to r ound
every Sale in the Union and give IT, cab
ia OF chief city. We once as ed s. GLASS
of ten boys, aged from twelve To fourteen.
ibe reason for celebrating the fourth of
jay, and not one Of the. O had the slight
est idea. lheagh theE were boys of aver
age inteAigeuce. $40 had been allowed
IN ~