The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-05-01
The Educational Bill.

Editor MtelHgcnccr:: Devoted to other
pursuits l have for several years past
almost entirely refrained from giving any
public expression to my opinion on polit-
ical movements and measures. There
occur, however, in the progress OF our
history and development great pivotal
questions, on which our destiny as free
people depend. Then it is that it be-
comes the duty of every friend of en-
lightened government to take position
for or against the impending change.
For some years the subject of National
aid to education has been agitated, and
the agitation has eliminated in the pas
sage by the United States Senate of the
Blair Bill with its amendments. Whe.h.
er it has yet passed the lower House |
am not informed, or whether it will pass
is not absolutely certain. Be this as it
may, the attitude is both ominous and
alarming. / desire to claim enough Of
your space, in the briefest manner pos
sible, to enter my protest against and to
record my unqualified opposition to the
measure.
Firstly, then, am opposed to it be-
cause I regard it as in violation of the
National Constitution, contrary to the
spirit and genius Of our institutions, and
without precedent or parallel. Secondly,
I am opposed to it because with an
assumed sentimentalism and an affected
philanthropny, originating with and
championed by Republicans, it comes to
us, like the ghost of Hamlet, in such q
questionable shape we cannot trust it.
As has already been fully said, it is like
the Greeks bearing gifts bringing in the
wooden horse filled with armed men-a
deep stroke of policy and a profound
stratagem torecover political ascendancy.
Thirdly, my opposition is influenced on
economical considerations. 1t means
high taxation and long continuance of
protective tariffs. Assuming that we may
pay unto the treasury of the general
government in way of revenue and i'm
posts what We may receive in return, it
does not admit of a doubt that we can
administer the same sum collected by
ourselves more economically. Does any
man question for a moment that he may
accomplish more with a given sum upon
an object coming withing his sphere
of action than the public will and can
do for him?
But whether or not parity OF contri-
button may be the rule, this measure
carries along with it tue idea OF burden
some taxes and extravaganza.
Fourthly, l am opposed to the Bill be-
cause it is a practical interference be.
tween State and its citizens at a time,
too. when all the States have made liber.
al appropriations for the education of
their people, and rapidly progressing in
that direction.
And further, also, it looks forward to a
compulsory system-a fragrant trespass
upon the divine right of parents to con-
troll the services and actions of their
children. Every man in this country
ought to be as free as Cesar.
Fifhly, 1 am opposed to this grand
scheme, because it processes to do by the
great central power of the government
for the Individual just what the individ-
ual should do for himself. Responsible
ity and interest Of parents by such
measure are almost entirely taken away
When enforced they will no longer exert
themselves to educate their families.
They will become Indifferent to the pro.
gress and advancement of their 'hildren; !;
the whole matter of moral ant lntellec-
lual training will be given over into the
hands of public officials and teachers, Of
whom it is eminently probable many
will be importations, the character of
whose teachings heretofore has brought US
some bitter experiences. The Superin-
tendant at Washington would become
the grand almoner of the nation, and
the recipients of the bounty its wards
WHY not also establish almshouses on as
sweeping and compreh cnsive a scale :?
Government is as much bound to furnish
food for the body as for the mnd-nay,
the former obligation has the precedence.
History attesis the fact that it often has
been done. But some progress has been
made. Opinion has undergone achange.
The citizens are now no longer regarded
as belonging to the government, but the
government to tie citizens. The care
and education OF the young is remanded
to the natural order; hence every head
of family should be made 10 contribute
to the mental culture of his children.
This is debt, imposed by nature, of
paramount obligation. Ii he have lands
and goods, if he have professional capii-
tai, or if he have health and muscle
without property, he is able to contribute
to this end. Every one-all in proper
tiou to means and ability. The correct
standard and measure of legislation is
actual necessity. The money collected
iu shape of taxes from the earnings OF
industry and enterprise should be spar
ingly doled out to foster lazness and IN
dolence. Charitable aud benevolent in
stitutions should be established for the
reception of the INDECENT poor, helpless
and unfortunate, and ample facilities
afforded whereby with the efforts of parent
and child, coupled with the encourage
ment and cooperation Of the State, any
one might acquire primary education;
Has the standard indicated been attained
unto by our State government! be-
lieye it has. I am satisfied if the provis-
ion made were properly utilized, with but
ordinary exerlions and sacrifices on the
part of parents, that every child in South
Carolina might become in some measure
educated.
The proposition to give to the idle, the
slothfui and thriftless an education at the
expense of the industrious, the active
and prosperous is to offer a discourage
nlent to virtue, a premium on vice. 1t
is contrary to the theory If our govern
ment and to eternal right, that A, hav-
ing no superior advantages over 3, by
industry, energy and economy, educates'
his family, contributes to the progress OF
the country and to the ameliora!lon OF
| H., of INV low hp