Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-07-11

WITH tulH - uFSiiHsSd tdtlc u uU
power to save the nation from an
archy and revelation.
For centuries liberty has been the
cry Of the people, aud never was
greater civil or religious liberty en-
Ijoyed by any people than is now
possessed by the American citizen.
The blessings Of liberty can only
be maintained by voluntary respect
and obedience OF The law.
All admit that The education Of
the masses alone can produce that
respect and obedience which are
necessary TO carry out the laws of
the couatry and prove a safe guar
antee of order and authority.
/ Without such sentiment per.
vading the toiling masses no life or
property could remain secure
Where the people are revolutionlstS
no government can staud, and his.
tory proves that there never was a
power strong enough to oppose the
people.
There gas a time when privileg
ed social and religious classes ruled
the world that popular education was
undesirable, +, cause just like man
now holds the strong animals in sub
Election so rulers then held the people
down. They did not know their
real power and strength. Neither
do the animals or who could lead
the horse or chain the oxen.
But the days Of ignorance aud
superstition are over, ana the lowest
order Of manhood BOW thinks for it.
self.
1t therefore becomes necessary to
continue the educating process up
ward and onward.
The future Of society depends up
on it.
The possession of property de-
ponds upon it.
The safety Of the individual dc.
pends upon it.
As liberty is the corner stone of
governments in our day, so educa
ton will be the cornerstone of all
future governments that can stand
the test of time.
There can no longer he any re.
ligion without education, and it is
at least three centuries too early to
predict that there can be any pcrma.
nent government without religion.
Taking it again for granted that
every citizen around us is friend
of education in some form, we ask
them whether it is for their good or
the interest Of their children to tear
to pieces this iuestimable blessing
for the sake OF personal prejudice oil
political economy?
Men can tear down in a day what
it took statesmen a century to erect.
The rabble can destroy III an hour
the monument of architecture on
which the mechanic, the artisan and
the lanoier spent the best days of
their lives.
Did such destruction ever payg
VIII il now9
We let the answer to orr children.
Many people feel so secure 10 the
free-school system that they think it
is indestructible.
! They don't read enough or think
enough to know that the enemies of
the free-school system are gaining
ground every day.
In twenty five years, either 10y
compromise or revision, the present
public school system will be gone
Something better may take its
place, bat it will not be accepted as
better until it has been 50 demon.
strated by experience.
Social distinction would destroy
the system because rather than edu. I
cate its children With those of the
common people it must send them
away to select schools or engage
private teacher.
Sectarianism aims no longer at
the destruction OF the public school, 1
but it would introduce religious
training or demand separate share
of the school funds. This phase OF /
the school question has been made a
political issue aud will gradually be
settled on some line satisfac'or, to
all concerned. Ii il can be done BIZ 4
maintaining equal tights and relig
ious liberty to all, then this govern.
ment Of the people will have made
another great stride ia iis march Of
progress and perpetuity.
What We desire 70 call TO the al
tentiou Of the citizens of Martins
burg is the unreasonableness of 10.
juring one Of their grandest institu
tions,-the city school s5stem,-
when there is no principle involved
in the fight. II your school board
don't do right. the people are TO
blame. If the teachers don't do
right, public sentiment is 10 blame.
The people pay the money for the
education Of all the children who go,
aud the public school system looks
to the parents Of those children it
educates for unity, encouragement
and some sacrifices if necessary.
Look what sacrifices are made for
the support of the select and sectar.
i'm scbonIc7