The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-14

1
unconstitutional 10 make it a law.
To dispute the right does not make
il unlawful. Let the right be disPut-
ed, let it be denied that Congress has
power to make the appropriation, that
| the application OF the funds OF the
nation involves the right OF control,
the assertion Of sovereignty that tight
has already been recognized and con-
firmed. For, fays the great Senator:
"In the early history OF the Republic,
when an undivided public opinion
demanded aid, IL came in the light OF
a national necessity and was ratified
| by a uniform practice OF coDceding TO
! the government its implied wants."
That the necessity for such az appro-
priation does exist at the present
| time, cannot be denied. Regardless
of any necessity for the appropriation
| on account OF one race or another, the
gre a ,est duty is thst which the nation
owes TO itself and the world. Regard
less Of any desire on the part Ct any
particular race, il is the right OF
this government TO look first
after whatever concerns it's beat
welfare, its best existence. Not
that the nation must perish
through a preponderance Of illiteracy,
but that there is danger in this euper-
abundance, which neceesitates a fore
arming against the evils incident to its
existence. The States find it impossi.
bic to correct these evils. Where shall
they seek relief except from the general
government? We all feel that this
government is necessity to ourselves.
The desire to support and protect the
commonwealth is original in every
breast. To make that support efficient
for good, man must know how 10 be
governed, and they who govern must
know how to govern, that the PTinci-
pie of intelligence shall reach the
masses. For, rays the gifted Monies
quien, 1T is in republican governments
that the whole power OF education
is required" 1t serves as counter
balance against popular ignorance and
its concomitants; 1t gives capacity to
the people to assert their rightful SOW
ereignty, while the tendency of Tilt
eIacy is TO invite antsgonisms and fo3-
ter the most inveteiate animosities be-
tween the representatives Of authority
and the non-governiDg elements. Did
the fathers speak idly when they de-
clared that in this republic their pur-
pose was to insure acknowledgements
for the common defense and the
general welfare? Verify they meant
every syllable OF that declaration.
They felt in their wisdom strong
necessity to stay the outcToppings of
intestine strife, and they knew that
where intelligence and reason held
sway the demon Of treachery would
vent its spleen in vain. In the dis
cussions OF the press and in the con-
flict of parties it is only by correct
knowledge and con .prehensive intel
ligence that we gather data and I'M
derstand and administer wisely the
operations of government. General
knowledge of the principles OF ma
| tional organization are as necessary to
national life as the structure Of the
body. An intelligent administration
OF the civil laws is essential to the
dignity and high standing + our gov
eminent, and the youth OF the
land need to be fitted TO as
sumo the rigid responsibilities of
this more exacting citizenship. A
well-ordered administered ton depends
chiefly upon the conduct OF the PEG.
Pile. All grants Of power come from
the pc ople. They determine what
functions are TO be performed, what
duties are required, and what penal
ties are provided in order to maintain
a just and wholesome government In
all the eventful changes OF the country
there is au uncealing demand upon
the people for wise decision. AS the
| circumstances and wants OF the peo-
pie change, special laws are required
to meet the conditions. The gen.
eral law guarantees to the State
the right to meet all educational de-
mauds within its own jurisdiction.
Can the general Government grant
powers TO others not exercised by it.
self? Has not the general government
power to make appropriations in the
same way to relieve itself as TO grant
power TO others to relieve themselves
Can the State exercise authority
which the general government cannot
enjoyP What an anomaly indeed.
| And how inconsistent with the COM
mon sense of things The cause of
this Republic is the cause of the
, States, and in proportion as a single
State Is ben flied 30 Is the nation eX.
allied. But what makes a nation great ?
What gives one country superiority
over Rnother2 Not the display OF
magnificent armies and navies,
nor the grandeur of extended
territory. To varaphrase the lam
guage of Sir William Jones, We ask
sgain, What constitutes a State? Not
low-raised imbeciles, doomed to illite-
racy and brides not magistrates ruling
and courts deciding where ignorance ia
bliss and toiling millions feel little care;
not idle-minded people, hard strug-
! Cling mediocres-not these shall guild
nations name, but men ,high.minded,
educated men, who their duties know,
and knowing, dare maintain in the in
terest OF humanity and the world,
When the despotism OF the CWssrs
Tas founded on the ruins Of the Roman
republic it was done through the
barbarism of an imbecile race
1t was done by those who had become
the willing tools of tyrants, showing
most conclusively that liberty is in
separable from well-directed knowl
edge, and that illiteracy is its own de-
stroyer. Shall the nations Congress
throw away the opportunity to rescue
this central sun Of civilization, the
home of Washington and Grant, from
the clutches of impending illiterscy
Rich in the resources of nature, yield
ing whatever adds to our physical en-
joyment or national contemplation
our country is destined to be popu
lous, Onward, still seeking the pure
light, let it not lsnguish now. II vii
redouble itself from period to period
Like the shores which look ont upor
the waters of the Thames
the Rhine and the Rhone, on
rivers shall yet be crowded with
mass of moving beings. We live pre-
paratory to the enjoyment of anothe
coming period from which shall b
raised a moral temple for the habita
ton of more hopeful posterity. Sac
rifcng every selfish desire and ever