Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-07-20

4
retard. This seems to have been O
sort of an intellectual Utopia--man-
kind degenerated from that high
plane Of civilization to which Greece
and Rome had elevated him TO that
low and degraded plane where the
Moslem left him, yet as we view the
tendencies of these times, as we view
the terrible conflict that had gone on
between rulers and ruled, as we rea-
lze that the world was but recover
. ing from that inundation of barbar-
ian hordes from the north that swept
over Europe during the first part Of
the Christian era. We should not
wonder that these ages were dark,
but we should rather be thankful chat
a single ray Of light ever penetrated
the dreary darkness Of the age. To-
ward the close OF this period the light
Of grander and brighter day can be
dimly seen shining IN the east. The
twinkle is but faint Luther has al
ready torn himself away from the
Roman church and babe the pope do
bis worst English liberty is wrested
from the hand Of King John and the
Magma Charta has been signed.
Another faint ray that was seen
glimmering long before these co mes
from Erin's isle, where during the
seventh century were laid the founda-
tons Of that great Irish university
from whose generous portals have
come so many that have made the
name Of ireland respected the world
over. Shortly after were laid the cor
ner stones Of Oxford and Cambridge
from whose ample halls have emil
mated ever since the best OF English
thought. These evidences Of light
were but the forerunners OF another
intellectual age. There came sweep
ing over Europe that mighty refor-
nation in learning known as the re-
Nuisance. The classics were studied,
Plato and Aristotle we're read, De-
mosthenes and Cicero once more
spoke in tongues of fire to the world.
This all eliminated in that grandest
period Of English literature, the
"Elizabethan age" Schools were es-
tablished both in England and on the
continent America was discovered
and the world took q new lease Of
life. A new impetus was given to
everything, men began TO think, colo
MES were planted in America, the
Pilgrim Fathers crossed the sea and
there laid the foundation Of the pub.
lie school system" While there are
many things about those old Pilgrim
Fathers that deserve censure, while
they were intolerant in their theology,
while they were unreasonable in their
exactions upon human condolences,
while they banished Roger Williams,
| prosecuted Quakers and hanged
witches, their virtues excelled vices.
They were honest they were true
hearted, they taught America those
lessons Of liberty that we all so dearly
love; but above all other things, the
Puritan forefather gave to us the
free common school system" IA
we look back down the corridors Of
time" and note the time when it was
Ecrime to teach men, as we see Calico
kneeling before the pope and recsnt-
ing, we must be impressed with the
true grandeur Of our own educational
age where the state makes ample
preparation for the education Of all.
The church no longer contends dog
matically, she is nolonger the censor
OF public opinion, but she deliberately
enters the field OF thought and reaer, a
and there in a manly and upright
way contends for that which s,.,e be-
lieves to he her own. Nep.iy every
state in the Union has a .,ublic insti-
tuition for the high education of
man and woman, Colleges and uni
versities are co be found on every
hand. E.lucationally America stands
wltbc Idt a peer. We have had our
:, horace Mann, our Page. our Web
sAer, our Worcester; we have today
our Angel, our Garfield, our Elliot,
Chancellor Snow aud DIX. McCOgh,