Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1891-02-05
Relation CT Education II Rdpub-
llcanism.

NC tFdttZCc a. OhRC sH@N 49, =
his government, that under this
he lives, moves, and assumes Its
duties aud obligations, aud, up
on him, in part, at least, falls the
responsibility of its defense and
perperuaiiou. The monarehiai,
the patriarcaisl, the thecraile,
the aristocraiic, all these have
IN historical aud IN educational
value; but the Republican makes
q practical theme for study for
the American citizen He should
he greatly interested in whatev
or sus,ains, prOmulgates, and
perpeiuates its principles IL
ii can be sh0wn that education
does this, il should deepen our
appreciation for the cause
The term, education, will be
used in its broad sense, izelud
ing.the development and train
ing of the mental. moral a d
physical enaowments of man.
Vastly more importance attach
es to the development and eul-
ture of the first two endow
ments mentioned than to the
third; Tut all will be noticed
Let us notice il how ia ats gene
ri application.
II has been truthfully said by
a distinguished writer on Pcliti'
cal Science that no government
ran With safety to itself neglect
the education of its people ex
cept an absolute monarchy; and
also, that an ignorant voter Is
more dangerous to the body
polite than an armed soldier
rhe philosophy of these state
ments is very plain and fOrcible
when we consider the nature OF
the different forms of govern
men', and he effect of cduca-
ton upon the individual IL re-
quires intelligence aud thought
to sustIin a Republic. That
which is the effect of the accu
INFLATED and combined thought
of The greatest men who have
ever honored America. must be
fosrered and supported By the
same cause.
The close student of the prin-
eiples of RepublieaBism cannot
fail to admire the great eompre-
hensiveness of the Declaration
of Independence and the Fede-
raj Constitution. The latter, es-
pecialIy, is so far reaching In Its
results, aud displays such pro-
found and penetrating thought,
that we are made 10 exelaim,
wonderful, wonderful
Ii requires intelligence and
thought to comprehend and ap-
preciate intelligence of others.
The perpetuaIicn Of our gov
eminent depends largely upon
q proper appreciation Of the
principles upon Which il is
based VIII education qualify
the citizen for this dGiys Does
1t add TO the Intelligence and
though; OF the public mind I II
SO. then, from this standpoint IL
is one of the great supporters
of Repgblleanism- Then l. Is
the duty Of the citizen 10 edu-
cate aud what l. true Of the in
diviGnal citizen in this respect
Is true of . eolieefion-aa or
gauized body; as. county, state
and nation. Igstead of having
only four months schooling for
the children Of the eeEutv, We
ought To have eight or zen.
Then it would be possible for
cur free schools under the man
agement Of competent instrue.
tors 10 prepare students not on.
~ for the efficient discharge OF
the duties Of private citizenship;
but for public positIous;lthis is
said by way OF parenthesisl.
The machinery OF eur gov
eminent is becoming more com
plieated- One cannot vote in
telligently for Congressman. for
instance, without knowing the
duties aud obligations of that
Office. IL il is true in this in
stance it is equally true in all
others. Then We conclude that
to vote to the best advanta ge.
one must be unusually qualified
TO I'LL the Office himself.
he should be able to under
stand the nature and scope
of all public questions. Other
wise, when opposing candidates
appeal 10 him for the support of
his suffrage, how is he to de
eide between tEemi 1t is not
necessary that one should have
. college diploma to do this.
The great majority can never
enjoy college advantages.
But we can be educated, and
well educated, well prepared TO
discharge the duties of an hon
ored citizenship without having
accomplishments of a college
life. His mind may be trained
to think. to solve the problem
Of life, by a simple and brief cir
rieulum of study. And who
win say that this is hot the
prime object of education, not
10 store the mind with knowl.
edge for the sake of knowing:
bat 10 train it to think, to think
correctly ana Systematically.
In n pA-.A1s..- -~.