Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1886-04-01

WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT ?
COMMUNICATED TO THE TELLER,

COMMUNICATED TO THE TELLERl
There are rome things for Americans
to think about besides business with its
rush and confin' ment, and grasping after
the "miehty dollar" and its controlling
influence in the various departments Of
life of the country and government.
The vast concerns Of government, of
its stability, Of its perpetuity lie not alone
in its material growth and prosperity as
necessary as they are. These things
show the enterprise and epirit Of the
American people and are to be sour
ished. Public and private enterprises
have built us up as people, and the
patriotic and public spirited man rejoices
in the results. But there is another side
to which the patriotic and public spirited
man turns with an anxious gaze.
Out of population OF little more
than fifty five million. there are in our
land to day six million two hundred
thousand illiterate persons above the
schoo! age four million two hundred
thousand of these are within the school
limit, or the period when they are sub
Iject to the laws pertaining to the require
mcnts of obtaining an education. This
be:okens state Of affairs which ought
not to be; rrovokcs unfav ,rable criti-
cism, and argues evil results to our coun.
try. 1t is state of things 10 which the
patriotic citizen cannot tako pride be-
cause it forbodes disaster and checks tho
advance of material prosperity. Viewed
from the point that our prosperity is en-.
dansered, the fact of SO largo number
illiterats in our midst should be enough
to spur all who are interested in the vel.
tarc of our land to renewed interest and
energy to overcome the evil But that
is low point from which to view the
matter. 1t should be viewed from the
fairest vision and comprehension of citi-
zenship. Intelligence lies at the very
foundation Of our institutions. That
point was clearly seen and great stress
laid upon it by tho Fathers of the Re-
public. What they clearly saw as by in.
spiration, aud labored to secure, We are
not to ignore. The number of il!iterate
people in our land is enormous, aud de
mands the serious consideration of every
school board, of every teacher, and of all
citizens of our country The number is
simply appalling in view of the fact that
We have good school system, and have
seen its effectual working through 20
many generations. Arc the days of the
Republic numbered ? We trust not
We believe in the love, integrity, and
patriotism of the American citizen, aud
that our institutions will receive the fos-
terlns care, aud still be the pride of all
true lovers Of liberty. If ever there was
a Republic destined to stand, it is ours.
In its perpetuity every citizen should
take lively interest. Intelligence must
be disseminated patriotism sustained BY
true understanding Of the principles uu.
derIying our government integrity of
the indivual and the commonwealth of
states must be held in high esteem, and
all made known and invisorated through
the channel Of the school. the college.
and every institution where mind comes
in contact with mind. The farmer, the
mechanic, and the tradesnan uen of
every calling and profession should see t,
it that the large number of illiterate per-
sons in the land is made TO grow beauti-
fully less year by year. There is no ~.
Gus for such condition Of things Ev.
cry citizen should feel the shame, and
take a lively interest 10 the matter until
the great stain is wi ped cat.
No doubt mary who are thus cnumer.
ated are otherwise capable, and daily re-
gret that such is their condition. That
however it makes the matter of tenfold
more Importance than all concerned. 1t
is not question Of money, monopoly,
and material prosperity, but one of more
vital importance involving the settlement
and control of all these, and more, the
destiny of a great people and nation.
Each one, however humble, has a work
to do in this matter. Fathers and moth
ers, teachers, and tax payers, and all
must seek the welfare Of the whole
country.
THE VITALITY OF WIDows.-The
vitality of widows is what astonishes the