Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-08-29
AN EDUCATIONAL ELEMENT.
Tho Ballot rs an Educator OF Mankind
The isaRobiing Tendency of the EIec-
tive Franchise--Its Effect on the Condi-
tIOu OF Women.

Education Is not the mere acquisition |
OF facts. 1t is not synonymous with
intelligence, nor can it be impaired BY |
instruction. That was once the popu-
lar notion; but better philosophy OF
mind has corrected our definition. Edu-
cation, according to our most advanced
thought. is the development Of the
whole being, and in subjective sense
has reference to the training and disci-
pine OF the intellect. the sensibilities
and the will.
Now, it follows, OF course. that the
sentient subject does not receive all his
education in The school-room. The
true teacher seeks to arouse the DOR
mant mind, and to put it in a receptive
state. He supplies the datum, gives
the individual implements by which he
can work, puts the powers into harness
and applies the goad. This is all he
can do. He knows that, If the true ed
ucation ever comes. it will come in the
experience and lifetime struggles OF
the Ego. Under this view, the world
becomes school-room, and life one
continued school term.
The Jews were we'll educated peo-
pie. They were subjected to peculiar
methods of instruction. They were to
be fitted for a certain mission. God
gave them pictorial religion. His
miracles were object lessons. This was
the most effectual way OF teaching an
infant race. 1t is well for us to study
the problems OF the Jewish economy.
The visual impressions OF their gor-
geous ritual passed away; but the les
sons OF that ritual became interviewer
into their very being So we may
establish such institutions as will tend
to develop In America valuable ma
tional character, and prepare us as n
people for our great mission on earth;
and l maintain that among the many
instrumentalities that might be en-
ployed for this result the ballot stands
pre-eminent
The powers OF the mind. when pas
sive, are called capacities; when active,
faculties; and the faculties may be d.
vided into mental and moral. We
make this distinction because some
may think our subject has no ethical
side to 1t; but the soul is unity, and
must be developed as a whole. There
can be no successful education OF the
head without the heart; so whatever
strengthens, regulates and guides the
emotional nature is an educational fac
tor
l. In the very nature OF things, the
ballot will constrain to Independent
thought. The one who votes must Of
necessity take into consideration mon
and measures This will promote re-
search and discussion. and call up his
torical "reminiscences, and bring into
contemplation the problem of political
economy. The important questions Of
administration are often submitted to
the decision of the people A people
so appealed 10 must OF necessity become
moro or less vcrsed in the science oil
government In exercising the elective
franchise, the intellect will be called on
to deal with the facts OF currency. in
terstate and International commerce,
relation of labor to capital, and many
intricate and abstruse questions, and
the intellect will be called upon to
master the problems Of our moral in
terest. We must consider the condi-
ton Of the poor, and food supply, san.
itary law, public instruction, and all
the diseases that affect the social or
ganism. This will tend not only tc
!. stimulate the intellect, but also tC
humanze the heart; for all the facul
, ties, mental and moral, grow with theil
| exercise.
2. The elective franchise recognizes
, the nobility OF our nature, and this will
/ tend to make us nobler. Treat child
as il he were bad, and he will be bad
treat man with respect, and you vii
increase his sev-respect Tod CAV,
, man reason and conscience. By hi
, conscience he recognizes the mora
quality Of acts. His reason approves
| and directs, and his conscience urges
him to faithful performance. So mar
is capable Of giving himself law. Oh
, is law to himself) To subject hin
to the will OF another, to make hin
) obey the law which he has no voice il
5 creating, is to degrade him. 1t place.
him in the catalogue OF minors and i'm
beetles.
4 3. Tho ballot will educate the will
The will is the finest part OF our being
, Somehow the intellect aud sensibilit,
: are connected with the organism, Blu
the will is pure spirit. The person witt
A has tho most will power is the creates
: character. In training the will power
: we can not but see the Incompetence
of the school-room. Here we live tn
life of thought; but not till the life o
: action begins will the finest part Of GU
4 being be energised. II the life Of &C
4 ton never begins. tho individual sink
/. down to supineness, and becomes
y mental cast-away. The intellect an
v emotions exist for the sake OF the will
: God vii, not judge us for what W
know or what we feel. but what we dc
, But how shall we awake In man a liv
I ing faith in his powers? How shall W
( impel him TO the performance Of tn
4 moral task' We must approach hir
: through the emotions; but even thi
a will fail If ne feels there is any trammt
e on his free agency. To subject him I
. the will of another is to take away hi
sense of responsibility. He will yiel
. to necessity. and the poison Of fatalisl
: will paralyze all the energies Of b
!, soul. II does not matter, as far as th
:, result is concerned, who binds him Wit
: this iron chain OF necessity. his fellow