The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-01

Is true education, Tor II enables the mind |
to work effectively in any field in which il
may engage; it matters not what the avo-
cation Of the individual, it will make him
more efficient in his work.
But we can never have our children at |
tain to this higher station, il we con6ne
them to public schools 1t is the province
of the high school and college to carry on
the work begun in the common school and |
lead the mind through nice gradations up
to this standpoint
Brother-farmerz, ought we to look with
suspicion upon the institutions that will
qualify our sons and daughters for sound
reasoners and correct thinkers? On the
contrary, should we not encourage them
by our patronage and persuade our neigh
bors to do likewise? ? In short we ought
to encourage learning everywhere, and en-
deavor TO remove the false and erroneous
ideas that have crept into so many Of our
good friends on the subject Of education
Remember the walls Of prejudice are just
as high and strong in this direction, as
any other. We must try to batter them
down. Let US try to disabuse the mind Of
prejudice and illogical reason used against
liberal education.
Have you not frequently heard intelli.
gent persons, when discussing this subject,
resort to arguments Of this kind. "Look
at our neighbors There are A aud G,
educated men and yet, not half SO good
citizens as B and D. who have little or no
education -
Then, to make the position taken i'm
pregnable, you are cited to unfaithful Of
hcials in high places in the government
Is It fair argument to take isolated cases
from any class in this way, and use them
to condemn education This only shows
the exceptions, not the rule.
Apply the same line of argument to the
churches and you at once condemn religion.
Because Judas, one of Christ's chosen
disciples proved traitor, is Christ to stand
condemned? Any fair mind will see ut
once there is no argument in such a course
ofreasoning.
If we honestly desire to contrast intelli-
gence with ignorance, as affecting social
and religious condition, we have only to
compare people that encourage the diffu.
sion Of knowledge, with one that entirely
neglect the training Of the mind
Our own country, for instance with the
Hottentot country--or indeed any Of the
southern aud interior countries Of Africa
entirely isolated from intercourse with
civilization,
Or if we viii compare the past and
present history Of the leading nations ol
the earth, we will be convinced that edu
cation has done much in the last few cen
turtles to ameliorate the condition of tn,
human family.
The old adage, knowledge is power
was well understood by the Sovereigus Of
Europe 400 years ago.
When printing was invented, they sale
it was device Of the devil; they saw tina
the rapid multiplication Of books woult
tend TO diffuse knowledge and enlighter
the mind. They saw then what some o
our ex-Goyernors declared few years age
namely, that education and slavery ar
incompatible. The motto Of all tyrants il
"Shut out the light" With their fear
thus aroused, the crown-heads Of Europ
joined hands in exercising vigorous cen
sorship over the press.
Thomas Jefferson, had he lived then il
Europe, would hardly have obtained Ii
cense to publish his memorable preambi
to the Declaration Of Independence.
Rulers who claimed that they ruled b,
divine right, would not likely ind9rse tn,
idea that "all men are created equal.
But all the prosecutions Of kings an,
potentates could not crush the thirst 70
knowledge. The march of intellect, will
accelerated step has been onward, fghtin,
the powers of darkness, gaining victor,
after victory, until human rights have, il
q measure, triumphed over tyranny.
That we may realize clearly what societ,
has gained by this triumph, let facts from
history show. The familiar maxim nov
80 generally recognized, that "a man ha
a right to the fruits of his labor" was en-
tirely ignored 300 years ago by all tn
sovereigns of Europe.
The fundamental idea of all monarch
cal governments then in Europe was, tina
the laborer was the property Of the land
owner. In England, 1860, was enacte,
I "the Statute of Laborers, which punishet
workmen who left their usual abodes b
branding on the forehead the letter I
Persons worth less than forty sbillings, t
dress in the coarsest cloth, and to be serve
once day "with meat fish, or the offa
Of other victuals;" laborers who move,
from place to place, required letters pat
ent, granting this privilege; and the chi
dren Of poor parents must be brought a
in the calling of their parents. And thes
odious laws did not cease until the tim
of Charles ii.
In l46l, the King Of France ordaine
that good meat should be sold only 60 tn
rich; that the poor should be confined :
buying lean and sinking meat. We oftel
hear folks wishing for the ''good old way.
Does anybody desire return to this way
What does history tell US of religion
intolerance2 1t almost freezes the bloot
to read the cruel prosecutions of one sec
against another. Take for instance th
history Of the old Scotch Covenanters, iron
the time james vi Of Scotland becam
james / Of England, until the reign o
William and Mary.
james in uniting the governments Q
the two countries determined to unite th
religions also. The victims of the lon
period of strife and persecution, whic
: followed, can hardly be numbered. An
prosecutions, even more diabolical, wer
transpiring on the Continent between tn
Protestants and Catholics. Does any on
wish to return to this old way of establish
ing churches.
Again, We read of Superstition carr,
ing people to wonderful extremities
cruelty. / will here only notice one for
J OF il; that of witchcraft. DR.. Dick, a
English writer estimates that 10000 pe
sons have been executed on charges
; being witches. Our good old Puritu
fathers of New England, following Il
example Of the mother country, engag,
: in this neiarious business.
3 five will contrast our present conditi
Of freedom aud happiness with these da
and iniquitous times, we will have 10 q
n oiass. g.t1.... 4 4