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

night Wall, i think, be found In con-
troverting the main argument relied
upon for Its establishment and yindica-
tion. This argument may be thrown
into the form of a syllOgism; The
State has the right to adopt and en-
force any measure which may appear
necessary for its safety and prsserva-
ton; but popular education is neces-
sary for this purpose therefore, the
State has the right to enforce popular
education, and, consequently, to enact
compulsory laws looking to this result.
Now. upon a superficial examination
this argument appears quite conclu-
sive, but closer scrutiny will show
that it involves doctrine utterly re-
pugnant to the principles upon which
ali genuine republican government is
based. Rights cannot be antagonistic.
If the State, as personitied by its gov
ernment, possesses this right in all the
latitude which the argument implies,
then it is manifest that the subject has
no right to resent, much less to resist,
any action taken under the pretext Of
State necessity, however prejudicial it
. may be to his interests, or humiliating
to his feelings. The veriest despot that
riots in the wontonness of arbitrary
power, needs no greater Justification
OF his ruthless tyranny than such a
doctrine affords. 1t assumes the alb
solute impeccability of the State. the
unlimited authority of the govern
ment over all the interests Of its sub
jects. in all respects Whatsoever; and,
if admitted, there is an end to the
idea OF popular rights, and our repub-
lican system must be regarded simply
as an usurpation and a fraud. But,
in point of fact, the government, which
is only the State in concrete form,
possesses no such right. 1t is but the
creature of the people, organized and
constituted for certain specific purpo-
ses; and there are some things which
it can no more do, without culpability,
than can private individual. 1t
cannot transcend the bounds of its
legitimate authority. or violate the
principles upon which it is established
for to do so would be not only contrary
to its purpose. but destructive Of its
very existence. States may commit
suicide by overlapping the limits as
signed to their authority. quite as
readily as they may suffer extinction
at the hands Of some external enemy.
And, hence, our political system does
not tolerate the idea of absolute au.
thority on the part of the State. and
passive obedience on that of the
people; on the contrary, it recognizes
and atfirms the right of the people to
demand such changes and alterations
in the organic law as their interests
and inclinations may suggest. With
US. at least, "sal~s popuh suprema Ter
is the fundamental idea of State, and
government is regarded as valuable
only so far as it may subserve and Sc.
cure this supreme purpose. In view
CT these facts, the doctrine OF the pro
position, under review, is simply pre-
posterous. 1t is essentially false and
must be abandoned.
The major proposition having thus
fallen, nothing but the minor is left a.
basis upon which to establish tn,
right Of the State to enforce compul
sorry education. Is it sufficient?
think not. For while cheerfully al
NIT that popular education is neces
sary to the safety of our peculiar in
stitutions, yet as emphatically den,
that it is Of itself sufficient for this oh
, ject. 1t is only one-a necessary one
; it is true-but only one Of the factor
of the result to be accomplished. l
must be aided and supplemented b,
others, without which its utmost effort
must prove forever abortive.
; To assume that mere popular edu
, cation is Of itself sufficient for the pur
pose in view, is false as statement q
fact, and misleading as theory. a
E fact, it is contradicted by the con
r current testimony of history and OF
servation; as a theory. it comes i
collision with the precepts OF Inspirs
: ton, and is therefore delusive. Hi:
4 tory teaches that States, which one
b occupied the proudest position as
q learning aud refinement, have passe
' from.the stage of being, leaving but
f name for all their greatness and rs
nOwn. Though incomparably sups
t rior to surrounding nations in all til
elements Of knowledge and civilizi
/ ton, yet, neglecting the cardinal VII
t tue OF personal and official integrit,
!, they frittered away their advantage
{ in ignoble self-indulgence. and b,