Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1890-10-18

three-fOurihS, had no other education
than the common school. We have
seventeen of whom received no
education than the common school. We
have chosen SCI state senator's, and of these
293 had only common school education.
We have had ffty-seyen state officers,
thirty-siX of whom had no more than a
common school education. Is there more
eloquent tribute to the work of the con-
mon school than this organized expression
of the will of the people in this state.
Leave this and step to the business circle
and see how many men who represent the
commercial energy of the state were de-
pendent on the common schools for their
knowledge an0 training. The universe
important part IN the destiny Of the state,
hut the Trojan of the war against ignor-
ance is the little common school.
WHERE THE FIGHTING GROUND IS.
''The hight is made along the lines of the
common people. The question now at
issue is greater than any party, larger than
the personality of any man. 1t reaches
down and takes hold of the life of the
community. 1t is patriotism. It is a
study of American institutions, and means
the uplifting of the American child, and
on this child rests the future destiny of
the American republic. This is patriotism
of the broadcast kind. It means even
Notwithstanding their nationality or der
rivation. | believe that any church O.
party or set of men which sets out
to oppose SO humane purpose
as the education Of the people OF the state
will meet with decided rebuke at the
too great confidence in the patriotism OF
the people of this state to believe for one
moment that they will not be right in the
settlement of this question. An lriShman
at Fort Atkinson said to me: 'Bedad that
law taShteS good in me mouth, and Oh
won't split out This toll the story that
the principle of the law la ,,-ong the very
fiber of his being, and tasted good be-
cause it had the flavor of equal justice.
There are false leaders who for q self
ish purpose seek to blind the people, and
they may clothe their opposition under any
name they want but the peoples common
sense will find them out Thank God for
common sense 1t un1erlies the very ma
ture Of the American people. An old In
dian once said to me: you can't pol sh
a brick; heap rub, brick all gomez You
have got to have the native sense at the
bottom in order to put it on the polish OF
culture
OBJECT OF. THE COMPULSORY LAW.
''The compulsory law has only one OBJ
ject in view, to give every child an equal
chance with other children. Shall that be
called 'knownothingism" For shame to
the tongue that so declares it The law is
only an attemot to prevent blGotry and mar
roWness from stopping the education
no no sympath h'' with th t wehobeing of the
child is not a patriotic American, II this
law is fair and right, if it secures TO the
children their rights as embryo citizens,
then what should he the verdict against
any man or set Of men who would deny
the child its own inherent rights? The
L ~, J,t Of &c hTS H.
right and any man who would cOnsplre
against his brothers birJhrighr is I'M
worthy the blessings of American liberty
81 am aware that prejudice and misrep
rcSentatiOn are now having their inning,
Certain people are busy with the tongue OF
aSpersiOn against the friends OF COM
puisOry education. You must trust the peo-
pie, and whom else can you trust? A man
down South once said to Jerry Rusk: You
YankS can take everything from me, sir,
everything but my trust in God; you can t
take that Don't be too sure, my dear
sir, responded Jerry, Don't be too sure;
the Kansas Jayhawkers Will be along after
You must trust the people implicitly, fea--
lessly. The people will be right. The
heart of the people is right, no matter I'M
der what sun they were born or Wha
tongue they lisp. This law is in accord
with the attempt to put Wisconsin on
IL
Let us remember that it is proper right
and Just; that it reaches clear down to
the roots of patriotism. And Just as sure
as the forces of light and heat burst the
bands of winter and bring the sweet flow
ers and verdure OF spring just so sure will
the verdict of the people be right on this
question.
GOOD WORD FOR TEACHERS.
81 bid you God-Speed in your work. The
teachers and my mother gave me all that
have. | wish that the vocation might have
a stronger hold upon the people. Christ
was never called the great preacher but
the great teacher And when He said:
Except We become x as little children
We shall not enter the kingdom of heaven,
between the lines We can read also: 'EX-
cept we become as little children you can
never come into the kingdom of knowledge
and of truth And in your work your
motto shall be: a little child shall lead
them.''
Applause lasting several minutes follow
ed the address of the governor. which was
listened to with rapt attention from be-
ginning to enc,