, 1881-11-20
achievement of every permanent and aesl1a-
Wv LANES HANNAH.

JAMES 111A%s<a-s'
MIR. Lucfus Weiu~chcnk on Popular
Educntion.
It the Editor Of Tie Chicago 1r1tune-
Chicago. Nov 19-The American people
claim to rank among the most enlightened
and educated nations upon the GLOBE
Though we may be eXcelled By older nations
in some of the higher branches, as music
and fine art, We nevertheless boast that our
knowledge is based upon a broad and COM
prehenslve principle, and has advanced the
cause Of civilization far more than that OF
our European contemporaries But, anl1a5t
all this boasted PROGRESS, it may be well Tor
us to step down from our proud emlhence
for q moment, and sQuaTely meet tue qaes-
ton as to whether there is not room tor vast
Improvement in our educational s5s-
ttm. 1t behooves us to consider
the relations of this system 10 our
Commonwealth, to consider what shall be
the fate of our majestic Ship Of State as sue
plvws through the dashing waves of po1ltlc-
al tur1uoil unless some needed reforms are
made.
1t is a fact undisputed that the American
people lave at all times gravely considered
their educational interests. They have sue
ceeded in building up vast systems
| 0f public instruction, where the Tud}-
! mepts Of common knowledge is TAUGHT
| to ALL irrespective of race or CONDITION.
Rut It remain5 for US to consider
| what shall be the limit to the education given
thus literally BY the State. On the one haild
we are told that it is the duty OF the Com.
! nonweath to provide only the rudinents and
to leave the instruction in the higher branches
to prlyate speculation and to be pursued
! by thust only WhU may be SO 1oIlunale ~ "
! be financially able SO tu do. Nhlle on tne is
| otl1er hand we hear with thrl!l4ns aeeei.ts
and luud procaln'atl9n tnat ine oitars ntate nn,
ouIy the Kindergarten and primary. out uie
academies, universities, alM colleges-lh 1act,
| to educate the MASSES 10 any pl"lGSs'"! '''
which ,uay be choseni thus TO renuef II .' pi's
have ability and intellectual pnwfr 2n'
empty purses to acquire mat kno"le0Re Ao'
which they so eagerly strive -,
Lii determining the question as to WhlGn t.o1 o.
these courses the Staa. slula ;drat;n a~op wch ici
Viii The Government. and thus the pfople
b. benefited more? ;,;dt, l. it conSS,sn o'n,Gatn,
with PRINCIPLES 1f p"1,dticai mi,,ions seou alImu
ala National policy to eXpxh,o M a., l'ys ',y n,rtai
ing to the higher branches, to class1ca
studies to scientific researches. ana t"[enSts
oratory: We say enrpIlatlcally, IL L.. H. ~ !,
educating our young nen we niust tint no, s,
consideration the ali-nportant 1act tnat tlie,
/ ara To constitute the citizens OF THIS grea
| KruubIic: upun them will devolve the man
| ageiueut IF this vast u1ld lnttlcate lowell ~
mtnt, and their plans ,nlSt direct ou1 cooAo
iii questions nf great moment 1.o.
| II is By no lneauS an easy 1nhtttA ~ 49, ~. .eS
mine the amount Ut euucauoh uts ...',i";,
man must have in order to bs an in1e.''ssn ss =.
voter. 1t certainly is not sun!cle!l! ~ ,;of, "f
a mere knowledge Of the ruulthenI9, "i.l H.
sad tn say, vast majority OF ou1 su.a ..'e
| citizens do mt even pus5ess: GsctI ~
wilu casts ballot at our polls, oe lle ~ S;e
layer ur banker, t1le ]anl11l " aVn!. !ef m
| trict courthouse or the Pres'deEI y ~
! United States, is called npon 10 dtc!ae ~
the st,iutlun Of which men like john Stua1
Mill and other writers nn political tconot'l
Ilayc periiaps spent years o1 osaEts; 9:s.';t en-
and research and not arrived Al ueHnt .1., ~
c!usiun. Yet We thrust the oalIot :o-.n tn.o ~
hands uf our ignorant voteT: ana !knu. t,en a.,
because the State has not rightly 31'strnS u:
I'd him. and we demand o1 ~ ~
tie solving Of this great problem:
| dare say not one mai. In one hundred cal! -
| uay cast an Intelligent vote OF rehdeE csca ".
verdict. vet uton these 1llen We call 70 sol
e11l us and to pass sentence over Ques!ioA9
The man who would cast bis ballot knoE y
ingly must have an education Such As u.
/ State dues not at present furnish, nut Suc
as it should in accordance with us iepuonlGG..
. | and cosmopolitan principles we nave ntE ~
, | scbooIs. indeed. but Is the educa<1oQ Au