The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-05-07
Common Schools in Kansas.

common school systems in other States
i was somewhat surprised, but not disa
greeably so, however, to find the com
mon school system of Kansas far in ad
vance of some of the older States.
We learn that the Priests of IsraeI
were not only Priests of religion, bu
were also ministers of science anc
learning; so that they, united in theil
person at one and the same time, two Of
the noblest missions with which maj
could be invested, the worship of Goo
and the cultivation of science. In the
progress of time, the teaching of science
and religion, became separate vocation:
in life. From that time until within
half a century ago we had various sys
TENS, such as boarding round" and the
''pay per capita" system, etc. But i,
was reserved for the pilgrim fathers to
originate system of free schools. AL
though burdened by poverty and not
unfrequently by taxation for carrying on
wars for self defense, yet these sturdy
pioneers never ceased to uphold their
schools. Those wild New England homes
may justly be said to be the Golden
Orient from whence sprang our highly
valued system of free scoools.
And the system of common schools,
Like the star Of Empire, westward took its
way;
And here We find this blessing now,
Which in Kansas has come to stay.
1t is the true policy of our government
to maintain system of free school. As
a good and liberal education is a better
safeguard for a nations liberties than
either standing army or severe laws, so
it is the duty of the nation to provide all
the means their power for the inculcation
of such an education.
believe true and liberal education
would do more to eradicate the evils of
society than all other means combined.
If this be true, and as we have a free
school system second to none, then why
not have compulsory education law
compelling the parents of children be-
tween the age of 6 and 16 years to attend
school when they could do so without
money and without price.
It is sometimes said that the opinion
that the general government should pro-
vide and control the organizations for
teaching just as it maintains a navy or
an=army, is of European origin, being a
legitimate corallary to the theory of the
divine right of Kings. But why object
to its origin ? But rather why should
we not
accept the truth wherever found,
On Christian on heather ground?''
The State is an aggregate of persons
having moral responsibility, and is
visible representative of peoples civil
ization and should be the embodiment of
all that is grand and elevating in the
peoples character. This corporate rep
resentative of the State has high duties
and functions, commensurate with its
6AS"S Po"SASs w PCAIoluI Out uOuc more
Imperative than that of diffusing knowl-
edge and advancing science.
The people of Kansas have peculiar
function to perform. and since the exc.
dus OF the "exodusters" that function is
rendered still more peculiar; and that is
to work out under the circumstances the
problem of free institutions for mixed.
promiscous and heterogeneous popular
ton spread over vast territory of 81. 31S
square miles.
Education is not esteemed as highly
here or in other States as it ought to be.
We do not as patrons or sustainers of our
schools take as much interest in them as
we ought to. For,
"'Tis education that forms the common mind
Just a5 the twig is bent the tree is inclined -
And we ought to take interest enough in
our schools and in the education Of the
youth, to see that the little twigs are
bent in the right direction, so that when
they become trees they will be straight
and firm.
The general government believing ed
ucation to be the highest boon to the cit
izen and the greatest protection to the
liberties of the republic, granted five Der
cent. Of the proceeds every 10th and Both
section and 100000 acres of the public
lands in Kansas, to the State for the ben
eft and support of common schools.
The State of Kansas puts no less value
upon education than the general govern
ment. And from the ample means which
the State has provided for the teaching
of the higher branches, and would con-
clude that Kansas believe in the theory
that.
Education is glorious thing,
Drink deep or taste not the Pierian Spring,
Slight draughs intOXicate the brain,
But drinkingdeep sObers it again.
The State has not only nrovided in hor