Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-03

many millions to inaugurate a system Of com
pulsory national, secular, unsectarian educa-
ton. know this seems open to the charge
of trenching on the reserved rights Of the
states. II may so seem, but II the states
neglect to do IL, and thus endanger the peace
and stability Of the republic is the federal
government 10 sit quietly by and wait till all
the evil be done, and then, when some other
rebellion gets well under way, and thousands
Of men pour out their life blood, then seek
10 remedy the evil? believe IL is sound po-
litical doctrine as well as Christian wisdom, to
advocate the federal government taking any
efficient measures at any time, to ward of
any impending injury TO the peace Of the
nation. And, that masses of uneducated
people with free ballot In their hands, is an
element Of danger TO the peace and stability
Of a republic, ] appeal TO the past and TO
your common sense for the confirmation Of
The Grand Army of the Republic could
charge themselves with no more patriotic
work than tho urging upon the federal gov
ernment the importance OF establishing some
effectual system for fitting those who are to
take part In the affairs of the nation, or the
election of those who are, to do 80 intelligent
ly. 1t needs no arguing to show that an ig-
norant voter is at the mercy of any dema-
gogue. II the nation thinks it wise 10 scien-
tifcally educate those who are TO fight her
battles by sea and land, why should it not be
wise to educate 10 an intelligent appreciation
of the principles Of peace and stability, those
in whose hands she so largely places her fate,
as she does when she gives the ballot to every
man. She ought TO see TO II that every man
can use II intelligently. You are not to do
this because you are Republicans, or Demo-
Gratis, or Independents, but because you are
American citizens, and ought to be anxious
TO elevate the ideal Of citizenship. We ought
to make it mean something more and better
than it has ever yet meant Our intellectual
development as a nation does not keep pace
with our material prosperity nor does our
moral growth advance with our intellectual
advancement. As nation we are becoming
wealthy without knowing how, wisely, to
take advantage Of it; and we are cultvating
our wit faster than our consciences. and the
fact ought to give every patriot pause, and it
ought to bestir him to a realization Of the
solemn truth that only personal righteousness
of character can makeus as individuals worthy
citizens of the republic, and only nation of
such men can be a nation Of stability, and
reasonably expect the continued blessing of
Almighty God. Would we make the nation
a blessing and a joy to our children, and chill
dren's children let us make ourselves God
and man loving, and serving individuals here
and now. Let those who will, put their trust
in physical prowess in material prosperity, in
mechanical skill, in scientific attainments;
but let us be faithful to the eternal principles
of personal honor and honesty, righteousness
and purity, then, come what may, we are on
the side Of the Lord and He on-ours. Ours is
a proud and happy privilege, to be permitted
to spend our energy in so god-like work as
the building up Of nation which may be an
inspiration and hope to millions yet un-
born. Let us so live as a people, that the
name, American citizen" may be the syno-
nyme Of all that is noble and magnanimous, all
that is worthy and true, and finally be iden-
tical with Christian manhood