Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-09-23

tional government to enact and en-
force a compulsory educatioaal law,
and, End, with reference 70 the right
of the several States TO do the same
thing.
In regard to the first branch of the
question, it may be observed that the
national. or las prefer to call it) the
General government is government
of delegated powers only. All the
authority it possesses is derived solely
and exclusively from the grant Of
powers enumei ated in the Constitu-
ton. Indeed. by chs estgument it
is especially declared that all powers
not specifically delegated, are reserved
to the States and to the people. II,
then, the right. in question, does be-
long to the General government it
must be derived from the Constitu-
tion. 1t can come from no other
source. Now, defy the advocates
of compulsory education to show even
hint of such granted power; and.
unless they can do that, this part OF
the question must be abandoned as
absolutely indefensible.
Indeed, it may be remarked just
here, that the most ardent supporters
of governmental aid to State educa-
tion, have never gone so far as to as.
sume the right Of making education
compulsory. The Blair bill which, it
is presumed, voices their sentiments
and opinions, contains no trace of
such an assumption. 1t merely pro,
poses to give good many millions of
the public money for educational pur-
poses to the several States, upon GER
tain conditions, none of which can be
construed as pointing to compulsory
attendance upon the schools. De.
ploring the prevalence of ignorance
and illiteracy, it seeks to extend the
paternal hand of the government to
rescue the people from the danger by
which their dearest interests are men
aced. But, innocent as the scheme
appears upon the surface, it is the
opinion of many of the ablest lawyers
and statesmen that it is repugnant to
the Constitution, and contrary to
sound public policy. How much
would their opposition be intensified.
did the plan propose what is called
compulsory education
Although it may not be strictly ap-
propriste to this discussion, I hope
you will indulge me in few addition
al remarks concerning this particular
measure. l does seem singular, to
say the least of it, that it should be
proposed, sustained, and advocated,
by its especial apologists and promot-
ers. OF course. its advocacy is based
upon the idea OF imminent danger to
our institutions. arising from the pre-
valence Of Ignorance among our vot-
ing population. But it has been only
few years since those who now
play the role Of champions of educa'
ton as the safeguard to our imper.
; rilled country did not hesitate tc
introduce to the right of suffrage
all immense mass of ignorance, SC
dense and impervious as to render
that of the present time Harmless:
and innocuous by comparison. They
saw no danger in this proceeding then
} on the contrary they affirmed it to b'
indispensable to public safety. Wha'
new light has dawned upon them, tha
they see danger now where only safe
ty existed then? After individuals
Charches and States have been doinl
their utmost, for years, to enlighteI
; and educate this new element of SOW
ereignty, how it is possible that it ha
become more dangerous than it Wa
at the time of its introduction Thei
conduct is inconsistent and contradic
tory. Party exegency was the in
spring motive in adopting manhood
suffrage and the very same thing i
at the bottom Of this plausible schem'
: of national education" By the for
mer plan, they sought to fasten an
: perpetuate their grasp upon tn
: Southern communities; by the latte
& they seek to restore their fallen for
tunes, and regain their lost dominion
, They play the role Of public benefac
: tors to allure popular support, an
$ offer immense gratuities to debauc
d the public mind, and seduee men fror
= their allegience to conscience to pa
= infamous devotions at the shrine c
e political charlatanism. Il Is glide
d bait, which they who are wise will Il
b severely alone.
: I think / have clearly shown ths
n the General government has no righ
It to enact>eompalsory educational law
IS since the Constitution does not gran