Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-10-05
For Congress---7th District.
A. H. BUCKNER,
of Audrain.
Democratic County Ticket.
EDUCATION.

LDSSAAAVNs
There is no more profitable field Of
enterprise to be cultivated by nations,
in the neal and distant future than
the education of their rising genera
tions, none in which greater yield can
be expected from proper tillage, and
none in which true wealth can be
gathered in greater abundance through
the application of suitable means. But
As yet education is in its infancy.
Nowhere is it abreast of the re-
quirements of the times. Where
most attention has been paid to it,
and where the state has contributed
most to it as in Germany, where it is
compulsory also, it is confined mainly
to instruction in the art of war.
Education cannot be even classified
as one of the sciences, because there
is scarcely anything connected with it
that is permanently established. 1t
has not been settled yet what shall be
taught, or how it shall be commune
Gated. Both the time and age that
ought to be spent in school are mat
tiers of dispute, as is also the question
whether industrial training ought to
be added to intellectual instruction.
Existing differences of opinion find
natural expression in priyatessa and
public systems Of education, and in
our diyisisso Of the latter, in Missouri.
INTO primary, graded and normal
schools, and schools of the mines and
agriculture, and an university. In
deed, 1t is almost impossible that edu-
cation a ever become an exact sci
ence, since it must always sustain
varied relations to rural and city life,
and to the requirements of the posi-.
tons to be filed by its recipients.
OF necessity, too, it must advance
with civilization. AS true science
progresses, as human knowledge ex-
tends, there must be corresponding
demand upon education and edu.
Gators. Debate upon any branch
of education among those thai
are competent to take part in it devel
ops EVER a chaos of uncertain anC
conflicting opinions, and what renders
the confusion that inevitably attaches
to this greatest of national interests
still more profound, is the fact thai
everybody, almost without exception
thinks himself or herself capable o.
imparting information about it to the
whole world. Almost noticeable illus
tration of this almost universal delu
sion was given the other day at Jeff
erson City by the insergent Republic
a arraignment Of the Democracy O.
Missouri for insufficient provision fol
its common schools. What concerns
everybody, what interests alike al
parents whether Republican Or Demo
cratic, what has attracted general at
tention and is an object of organic
law, was thus attempted to be mad,
a mere partisan concern dependen'
OF party option. While the aims ant
methods of education are involved il
existing uncertainties, it is to b.
hoped such folly will not be repeated
Nobody presumes to.meddle with as
tronomy or chemistry unless it ha:
been made a life study, and mere pol
i%ticians ought not in an off-hand way
and upon all possible occasions, tt
attempt by mere assertion to settk
the most difficult problems of educa
tion-questions that divide not alon,
parties. but give rise on the part O
the general public to conflicting ant
never-ending discussions.
On this account, and with specia
reference to its Republican as we'll a
Democratic readers, the LEDGER ha
reproduced in another column wha
was said the other day by Governs
Crittenden concerning what has bee
done in the past, in this State. t.
promote education. No one can ris
from the perusal of that portion o
the Governors late speech at Rich
mond without the impression mad
upon him that, if there is one thin
more than another that Missouri ha
occasion to be proud of, it is tn
condition of its schools. Nowher
can more competent instructors, Q
better filed school houses be found
st. Louis is noted for its palati.
school edifices, and its system of edu
cation, similar to that which prevail
throughout the State, is acknowledge
everywhere to be the most thoroug
and efficient upon the continent.
there be deficiency anywhere, it is nc
in the Democratic counties and town
that lie upon our railroads. In ever
one Of them there are relative CORE.
pondent interest and preparation j
and for the advancement of you'll
Throughout the whole length an
breadth Of the State school house.
costing from Sic, 600 to $50, 900, a,
visible ct almost regular intervals.
When the Republicans came int
power in this State, they found