River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-05-22
Schools reported during the Ii
week as heino in seSsiDn,
Conditions of SocfaiProgyess.
--a-l.

to be intensely occupied with the me-
chanic arts. All its energies seem
bent on finding some new discovery
of inventive skill, which is to change
the face OF the world; toannihilate time
and space and to make the elements
toll in the service of man.
This practical skill is not to be dep
recated as dangerous to society; but,
the tendency to direct the attention
almost exclusively to the mechanic
arts; to seek chiefly outward prospect.
ty; to regard the conquests of mind
over matter as mans noblest con-
quests; while the moral instincts OF
his nature are overlooked are dangers
to which we are peculiarly exposed.
In the ceaseless struggle for wealth,
the mind except as to these peculiar
laws is unemployed. Many of the
powers of the human soul; many OF
it's most noble faculties become in
ert. The value of every acquisition is
estimated by the account it can be
turned in the accumulation of wealth.
For this reason the period of educa-
ton is shortened and that of action Is
precipitated; the time for preparation
is lessened that that of labor may be-
gin. The effect of this sordid spirit Is
to undervalue solid erudition and low
er the value of classical literature. Boys
are taken from their books and press.
ed into business at an early period
The time for study is brought prema
turely to a close and they arrive at
manhood, wealth and af1luence with
thing higher than a school boy S
education and with few tastes and
qualifications requisite to adorn theII
stations in life. The times in which
we live; the wants of our country, the
preservation of our free institutions
calls upon our seminaries of learning
to furnish us with generation OF
scholars, whose minds are not so in
tently fixed on their own interests as
to allow them no time to devote to the
general good; who are not content to
furnish mere contrivances of inven-
tive skill whereby trade may be facil-
itated; wealth multiplied and cities
adorned. There is no danger of neg
lecting these for they lie in our very
pathway; but who are to regard the
minds and characters of men; who
are to strive anxiously to enlarge the
means of education; watch over Oul
common schools; encourage philan
throphy; and labor to advance society
by advancing the individual!
In the United States the diffusion
of knowledge is essential to the main
tenance of the government. The
grand experiment, whether man is
capable OF self-government is still in
progress. Whatever may be our opin-
ion on the subject, the enemies Of
our republican system do not admit
that the experiment is completed
They see or think they see the
seed of dissolution springing up which
will ultimately lead to its destruction.
And are there no grounds of appre-
hension on our part? What are thu
tendencies of the government! Party
spirit has usurped the place of patrio
tism; the lower passions of the people
are appealed to with a view to sue
cessful party action; the press is being
made subservient to this object, the
corrupting influence of wealth is felt
in every department of government.
The establishment of American in
dependence was great achievement
but the establishment and mainten
| ence of our complex system of govern
ment in its purity is much greater
In one case high patriotism, strong
| arms; and unyielding perseverance
| rolled back the tide of war; in thu
war against corruption there is M
public enemy in the field. The foe il
shadowy in his appearance; and sof
and stealthy in his approaches. III
never slumbers nor sleeps, and he cal
be repnlsed only by vigilance tina
never tires. In politics elements o
good and evil are brought into clos
connection. They are in conflict anC
victory over evil can be achieved onl.
by discipline of head and heart. In
| telligence without virtue increases tn
evil. Virtue without intelligence cal
| oppose no effectual resistance to pollt
ical corruption. Intelligence to be
national virtue must be accompaniei
by moral culture.
The object of education is to in
struct the youth in such manner a
to qualify them for that branch o
business upon which they will enter
But are there no duties which a stu
dent will have to perform except thos
which relate to his professionl Doe
he owe nothing to his God and hi
countryl Is not knowledge of hi
political rights and duties equally il
dispensable to their faithful perform
ance!
| Early impressions on important maj
tiers when deeply fixed in the mind bt
come the anxious III life.
Youth then is the most favorabl
time for the incubation of the eli
mentary principle of government
| They should be taught in our commo
schools and if this be done long befor
the youth will be entitled to ex ereis
his rights of suffrage he will discus
the principles he has learned and al