Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-08-06
ial details of knowledge. ="
RIGHTS OF THE STATE.

The first right of the state then is to
exist and to perpetuate its existence.
Whatever is necessary to its existence it
has an absolute right to require. 1t is
based on the social theory that the in
dividual is the unit. not the family. On
this theory its right 10 exist as an organ
ization rests on the prior rights of the
individual composing it; and its whole
function is to maintain. protect and en-
large their antecedent individual rights.
The second great right of the state is
to establish universal suffrage, as the
necessary condition of its own existence
as a society in which the rights of all
individuals shall be respected.
The third great right of the state is to
establish universal intelligence and so.
cial morality as the neces 'ary condition
of universal suffrage.
The fourth great right of the state is
to establish universal education as the
necessary condition Of universal intelli-
gence and social morality.
The fifth great right of the state is to
establish universal system of public
schools as the necessary condition of
universal education.
The sixth great right of the state is to
establish universal use of the means of
education by the instruction of all child
zen in the schools.
All these six rights are involved in the
right of the state to exist as society OF
individuals, whose equal rights are uni
versally known and respected. A knowl-
edge of these rights and the duties re-
sulting therefrom constitute the social
morality which should be taught in
schools; and it can be taught from
books which do not treat of theology.
All religions profess to teach it; it should
be taught as matter of positive know
ledge inside of the circle of the common
relations of human life.
1t follows clearly from what has been
said, that the state has right to tax all
its taxpayers for the support of public
schools.
i. Because the child's right to an
education is a joint claim upon parent
and the state. and the state can
only discharge its part of the obligation
by maintaining public school system.
2. Because the state finds the school
system to be an absolute condition of its
own existence as a free society. charged
with the protection of all individual
rights, including the rights of children
as individuals.
3. Because the school taxes are col
lected for the support of the school sYs-
| tenn as q whole, of which all taxpayers
alike receive the benefit through the
perpetuation of the state as the protec-
tor of all rights including their own.
If the state has the right to tax
for any purpose, it has the right to tax
for schools. which are the indispensable
condition of its own continued existence.
The school tax paid by each taxpayer
is not his own separate bill, for his own
children, for he may be childless, yet
Justly taxed. The school tax is the sum
each pays for his share of maintaining
the state that protects his Individual
rights. 1t is narrow view to see in
the school tax but bill for the educa-
ton of oue's children. 1t is only part
of his contribution for the support of the
state.
The great right and duty of the state
is to perpetuate itself and it can only
do this by system of universal educa-
ton, and on this rests the positive argu.
ment for the school system and the
right of the state to tax all for theil
support, and to compel all children
to attend school. The protection the
state gives to all is fair equivalent fol
the money expended for schools, ane
the schools will give society virtue and
intelligence to guide and direct the
state.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILDl
l. The right to existence. the father
has no right to deprive him of it; tina
would be murder, and the state woulC
not admit the plea of parental prerog-
alive" as any defense against punish
ment of the crime. Before the child
existence begins the state protects his
right to existence by Furnishing feticide
/ ?. The right to proper maintenance
food, clothing and shelter. To with
, hold these is a crime which the stat,
5 Furnishes. thus invading the sanctity o
g parental prerogative. ="
D 8. The right of an education, to pre-
5 pare him for the life to come. This is
D RIGHT that gives him claim on paren