The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-29
FROM THE EDITORS CHAIR.
Another Topic D1scussed-University TX
tension and the travelling Library.

The uplifting processes Of education are
going steadily forward, as they have boon ever
since the in vention OF the printing press: Prior
to that time there was the educated few and
the ignorant many. Education was connned
to the monastery and the court.
The invention Of printing vas the electrical
DYNAMO to enighten he hearts and consequences
of men, In this land Of free thought and
friendly competition it is natural that 1t should
have reached its highest expression.
The founders OF our Republic recognized that
the basis Of free Government was the educa-
ton of the masses, Washington recognized
this when he bedneathed a school fund in his
will thus putting forth an educational Thought,
which, by the sure processes OF evolution, ID 70
eliminate in a Washington University.
The most important act of the Continental
Congress was that authorizing settled Gov
eminent for the vast country north OF the ONO
River. known as the Northwest Territory.
This eliminated in the Ordinance OF 1851,
which has been we'll described as The most
notable law ever enacted BY representatives, Oh
the American people" This ordinance, whose
provisions have been engrafted into most OF the
Western States, declares that: Religion,
morality and knowledge being necessary TO
good Government, schools and the means LOT
education should be forever encouraged"
Under this act one square mile IN every
Township was set apart for the support OF
common schools, and the entire TOWNSHIPS
for the establishment Of university. The
first fruits of this was the Ohio University at
Athens, the first college west of the Allesan req
OHIO was the first of I'VE great States formed
out of the Northwest Territory great not Only
in land and extent but IN the greatness of her
people. ...s....=.,a
And when any one asks why Ohio has taken
such foremost place IN agriculture, mann
facturc, research, Science, art letters and state
Il.
ants of a picked people WORE started on their
race With ftil osfsi0hs fof Tnteifectha1 growth
and development -. s 80.
Within recent years vast popular educa-
| floral movements have been ynccessfu lily
ifausnrated ana carried on Throughout the
country. Not only have universities and col
Isges been, multiplied, their curricn lnm en-
ID both sexes ana 70 al mathematics and
c6fofs, but our public schools have Been put
upon q. higher Ifeyel, with provisions also for
| physical and industrial trn7nTng.
fthN CiiruyaG0tia Circles have permeated
every Corner of rfe land, ana branch Chan
tahfahas IRE Yfohrfshfng IN Ohio, Illinois and
other STATES Stray Clubs, night schools. IN:
dastfal schools Gssgye Jhnior Republics, and
many other educational agencips are at work
Among these the most mr. reaching, perhaps
are the University Extension Course and the
| Travelling Library. In both OF these ONO l.
very naturally taking the lead
The woman's clubs arc helping on this move
ment. not only in Ohio, but in other States. II
was through their agency that the facilities o.
the Ohio Library have been so widely ex
tended A University Extension Course ha;
its headquarters at Philadelphia, but the most
Important yet formed is the coarse projected
BY university at Chicago.
Extension Study Circles are forming in con
nection with clubs churches, and schools
! They have regular times Of meeting and
regular course Of examinations. All the Study
Circles within certain radius have periodic
union meetings, and anyone having the neces
sary application may pursue his studies Il
/ graduation. Each Study Circle has IFS owl
Instructor, and, in addition to the usual stud,
course, lecturers are supplied by the University
| on Call