The New York herald., 1878-03-05

the world and citizens OF Its cosmopoltan metropolis,
To dIsowp her and cast her out from among usY
men among US who, in the lace o the nations OF the
old world that cherish IT, would srangie iree higher
education in tho name OF economy.
ADVANTAGES OF EDUCATION
But does a common English education, does read
inc writing ana arithmetic prepare the citizen 10
determine InteIeently the solution OF the momentous
and al cui questions that he called upon 70 decide
by the ballot boxY DO they awaken IN us the tbiok-
ing power and political insight repaired TO deal with
the the resumption or the silver ques-
tionY / say unhesitatingiy, mol The mind whose
only stimulus has been the A. B q, the fourth reader
sad rule OF three cope with questions when
puzzle the keenest lawyer and the most long-headed
dnuncier. Were II possible each citz'n should DO
trained 10 deeper and more soiid renection oy tne
most thorough uuprofcssoual studies but surely II
the transparent interest OF the kepubhc that as
many OF ITS poorer members US possible DC nuuced 10
undergo this training Tor with them lies It's late.
They form the majority. ln questions Involving the
interest labor and capital, above AL only educated
representatives the poorer classes can guide ar<ht
thelr action, inasmuch as they will naturally look
with suspicion on the advice Of The wealthy
Others, ana among them Mr. Bingham ana the
poorer classes and render them unnt to discharge
their duties in manner most oenen.iai 10 thcr own
interests. lu reply allow me to quote from some re-
marks | made on another occasion Through the
number OF those who would connne public education
within its narrowest possible limits Is IN decdeu
minority they may be heard occasionally yet TO de-
claim yet against popular education, winch they seem
TO consider as an encroachmcnt upon prerogaiive-
upou ther vested rights They seem TO be frightened
al the progress which Is difusing light among Por-
tions OF humanity which until iatey remained eA-
cluucd from IT, There are humble functions IN
human labor, they say, to which the educated VIII
never stoop The first awakening to light, thay be-
Ieve Is always accompanied by an exaggerated sense
of strength and semporiance which, spreading
among tho masses, will lead 10 disregard oil orucr,
law and authority. without which IL Is impossible
for society 81. The reasoning set 1orth IN
ayor of popular education stars from
doctrine as false Us ~ IS 'iinerai-lhat instIuc-
tou IS only good far as II ls made practical.
and thai mental culture Is oi no use but Tor those
who In their higher social position have occasion for
corVA mn
the man OF letters, science the savant good manners
the man OF the world only Tho poor must be gross
ana ignorant: education and knowledge are OF no use
:" ibem But In TINS favored land, wnere success
belongs industry, but where rum may overlake the
richest where is the exact line oil demarcaton between
rch and DOOR ABOVE which the latter may aspire 10
mental culture, below which the former ceases TO
have occasion Tor It's use? Such views are the on-
springs OF prejudice, whicn may be current
which no American can look upon
with avor-drst, from an innate sense OF liDeraly,
WHICH prompts him 10 extend to all the same and
even greater advantages than he has himself enJoyed
second, from correct understanding OF MS own in-
terests Tor he well that by fostering education
among the masses he neightens The intellectual
standard OF those from among whom ne Will have 10
choose the intelligent assistants IN his labors, and
eventually the able his important enter.
prtses Let any community venture on lowering THIS
standard and they will immeda,ey perceive cor
will lose the power even OF Competing advantageousiy
with neighboring communities which should happen
to have better understood IN this respect ther IN
terests"
THE FREE ACADEMY.
regret that the gentlemen VINO present this re-
mort 10 us have not been officially connected with our
educational Institutions for another reason. Had
thew been familiar Herewith should have been
spared the necessity OF correcting some Inaccuracies
in that report touching history OF the
free and normal colleges. independent Of positively
statements the report conveys TO the mind
education In our public school system. The sketch
OF It's rise aud growth Is necessarily brief and vague
But faint lines of the outline suggest TO the fancy
a picture OF the enemy going forth during the dark
ness OF tho night and sowing cookie IN our educa-
,,onaI corn field. still nothing further from
the iact Take the froe college, for instance.
Its establishment as tue Tree academy was pre-
ceded not only by long and open discussion in
the Board of Education, not only by the pubic pas
sage of an enabling act a. Albany, but BY popular
election which approved Of the proposed institution
by a vote OF lg,407 to Q, 400 The citizens OF New
YORK not only mad tho fullest opportunity to oppose
and protest. they required distinctly 10 assent
to It's establishment IL mas existed or .hirty years.
cltizen. II during It's long ana usclul existence u
has not called :orth much comment It IS surely not
because has failed to meet the public wishes. THIS
ls shown by the gigantic rem0nstrance, signed by
over nfty-hVe Thousand o our fellow citlzcus. that
was lately presented TO the Legislature. Tho
same remarks apply to tho Normal College.
II was not founded without the public
action OF the Legislature and the Board Of Education
a a Its present homo erected por the bonds
10 the moneys Tor which was built Issued with
out the authorization OF the Legislature at Albany.
We ali The power and the opportunity TO object
we did not do So and It may well be doubted whether
1t s expedisnt do now after these colleges have
thirty years 1t may even be questioned whether IL
would pe lust deprive o these means of realizing
their expectations men VINO Ia better times cheeruiy
contributed their support ani whose only hope OF
giving their children liberal education, now that
their reduced, Is founded on the existence
Of these institutions.
TO leave no doubt what lis founders meant by tho
word 'coege" shall lay before you an extract from
inc report or the committee appointed TO draw up
tie outline OF plan oi government and management
OF the Academy dated Nay 3, lSlS.-
'rhe education furnished by the systems provided
f.flaroa Httn IL ntl Qrtl "
foundation and preparation Tor the practce of ono
OF the liberal professions. In the diversified taste,
talent aud Disposition OF the pupils who will enter
the Free Academy IL may De expected that there will
be some designing To iii lhe nseives Tor these we'll
Tor other OF The occupations OF lille. similar
OF literary culture that furnished IN other colleges
should therefore, lie provided Tor tnose who desire to
pursue iL'
Wisely and consistently did they carry out this
plaa Tho studies arranged that each year 8
course formed whole IL ltscil, SO that tho student
alter one. more years OF instruction, should
have recoIyeu education all parts.
IT, now compare the leading features o tho ABOVE
reuort W.T. tho last college register Will that
the present course is essentially IN accordance with
the plan shadowed iortn III lS4S Tho course then
proposed may navc been modified where experience
suge ested changes, hut has not Ueen enlarged.
A WELL REGULATED COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Ana now am lace ~ lace with the practical con-
clusion oil the report Here II is:-
"nquiry into the condition OF our system OF public
oducatIou involves grave and important respOusi-
bilities 10 be approached without the power aud the
leisure consistent with Official ana complete examt-
nation There essential weaknesses IN the system
which are disclosed III part, but in part only,
cursory study oil the question. Having In view tho
aims and the possibilities OF well regulated common
scnool system the committee urge the presen taton
OF a memorial to the Log slature Tor commissioner
charged with the duty OF close inquiry into our State
and city schools In all their departments. The cx-
pcnditurc oil few thousand dollars on sucn inves-
tgation the commissioners beng armed with Official
powers, would undoubtedly lead TO a better compre-
hension ofthe requirements OF the system"
Mr.. President an TOO practical "A man TO begrudge
few thousand dollars whore the interests OF ecuca-
tion are concerned am too sincere friend OF our
school offer the slightest opposition TO any
investigation that may DO deemed necessary.
am too believer In It's essential sounancss, the
oreticaly and financially TO hesitate TO subject It 10
the severesl unprejudced inquiry But before giving
my unquaiiDed support TO the proposition should
ike 10 Know what am asked TO support? What are
these com missions 10 investigator Tho financial
agement OF the systemY You have my ready assent.
1he competence aud efficiency Of the teachers high
aud lowf l shall second you IN making a most
thorough investigation, ior ! am sure they
will stand the severest test The question vi
hish public educaIionf The question OF high
public education Is not question oi detail; IT s
n question OF IA igh pubic policy. 1t Is be